Raynes Park Vale vs Chessington & Hook

Only time will tell if this was a good point, but there was an air of disappointment at losing a two-goal lead in the ninety third minute, particularly when the news of other results came in.

The continuing bad weather could have seen this game called off, but it went ahead on a very heavy pitch, which rewarded hard work and determination over a more cultured approach. One of the few bright spots early on was our Holland like kit illuminating an otherwise grey afternoon.

Surprisingly the game settled quite quickly and for once the opening exchanges saw us at least the equal of our opponents and probably shading it in terms of possession and territorial advantage.

After fifteen minutes, a Raynes Park Vale attack was stopped on the edge of our own penalty area and with the midfield trio of Cheadle, Heath and Smith involved, it fell to Smith to carry the ball a full seventy yards before releasing the returning Malik Buari who cleverly lifted the ball over the goal keeper for a well worked goal. The side were visibly lifted and just seven minutes later after a period of sustained pressure, good work down the right from debutant Paul West and Malik Buari, saw Buaris cross met at the far post by Dean Pitcher to give us a two-goal lead.

Playing with the slope it was difficult for our opponents to get out of their half and when they did they rarely threatened. An injury just prior to the break saw Lloyd Welsh replaced by Andy Weir for his first game since an injury sustained in the home match with Egham Town and the slight reshuffle saw Jason Massing slot in at centre half without any disruption to our dominance.

The two nil lead was always likely to hinge on our start to the second half and our own ability to defend the slope.

Ten minutes in and with a combination of poor clearances and poor marking, a well converted volley saw our lead reduced and with over half an hour to play it was always going to be a challenge from here.

The team worked tirelessly, although clearly the considerable efforts to preserve the winning position were taking its toll. Having already changed personnel before the half and at half time when debutant Baldock replaced the injured Reece Jackson, when Pitcher succumbed to tiredness to be replaced by Martin Jackson it was clear with all our aces played we needed a big last ten minutes.

Whilst we never stopped trying, we became increasingly ineffective defensively and only a series of decent saves from Mark Daniels and last ditch defending kept the lead intact.

Ironically despite this we thought we had got there. With us to resume play with a goal kick and the referee having confirmed that there were only thirty seconds to play, surely the afternoons drama was complete. Play seemed to have exceeded the allotted time when a half clearance was drilled goal wards and despite the best efforts of Mark Daniels it found the bottom corner to see us lose two points.