Chessington & Hook vs North Greenford Utd

Much was made that another title challenger was our opponents and expectation understandably high given our well-merited league position. On the day however the game did little to live up to its billing and a rather drab affair was settled by a single goal.

As is now almost customary we were slow starting and had to rely on only the occasional break into our opponents half and even then we hardly troubled the visiting keeper. That said North Greenford were hardly spectacular and in a strange way with half time reached at nil nil it was felt that even a slight increase in our own form might bring with it another victory.

Words of encouragement at half time seemed to have lifted the side, as we attempted early on to knock the ball about with more trust seemingly there amongst the players. Perhaps a little too much, as five minutes after the re start a misplaced pass following a poor decision to break from midfield and with the central defenders caught on there heel, a simple through ball cut open the defence for the visiting forward to confidently slot the ball past the on rushing Michael Sharpe.

The shape of the game didn’t change a great deal but we were finally gaining greater possession and territorial advantage.

With twenty minutes to go and with a clear indication that the manager believes in trying to win games at the risk of heavier defeat, a double substitution saw Reece Jackson returning from injury and George Baldock introduced to bolster the attacking threat.

Whilst at times the play itself was less than expected the pressure gradually grew and a series of crosses into the box from Andrew Weir were gathered by the visiting keeper, somewhat surprisingly as at times he had looked clumsy in his work.

With time drifting away our first real chance resulted. Malik Buari raced clear of the defence to hit a low left foot drive, which the keeper palmed away. It looked as if Reece Jackson would convert but the ball was scrambled out only for George Baldocks follow up effort to be saved at the expense of a corner.

Whilst waiting for the resulting corner a scuffle broke out involving the keeper and Adam Cheadle and ultimately fifteen others. Although not clear at the time as to what had happened, treatment to Cheadle after the game highlighted a twelve inch cut on his leg as a result of an unprovoked kick by the keeper which went unpunished. The corner was dealt with and with it went our chance of rescuing a point.