Colliers Wood Utd vs Chessington & Hook

The enforced delay had at least allowed our injured players time to recuperate and we were not far from a first choice line up with enigmatic skipper Scott Todd returning to the side along with Andy Weir, who had not started a game since his injury against Egham Town several weeks previously.

Our lack of games was evident as early as the second minute, when a series of mistakes from our own throw on resulted in a chance being gift wrapped for the Colliers Wood forward who slotted home unchallenged, leaving Michael Sharpe with no chance.

The reaction to this was good and gradually our offensive game improved with good link up play between Buari, Todd and Smith regularly threatening to undo a defence that at times struggled to contend with our slick play. On twenty minutes and from a Scott Todd free kick, Darren Smith headed home to give us a deserved equaliser given the dominance that we had enjoyed. With the full backs joining the attack at every opportunity, our sheer weight of numbers made it hard for Colliers Wood to take possession from us and from one such move into the opposing penalty area Andy Weir was fouled to present Scott Todd with the chance to score from the spot to give us the lead. Most assumed this would be a formality given his 100% record but he drove his kick wide.

Far from having a negative effect for the side, it proved to be the catalyst for even greater efforts and when Malik Buari turned home another Andy Weir cross after good approach play, the lead was ours.

On the stroke of half time a ferocious strike from Martin Jackson was too much for the keeper and his twenty-five yard drive gave us a comfortable three one lead.

The opening exchanges of the second half would always prove to be crucial and we could forgive ourselves for thinking we had done enough when twenty- five minutes in we still held a two goal advantage, had created the better chances and had been untroubled at the back.

As the first changes were being considered, presumably to give fresh impetus to our play we were undone by a hopeful cross into the box which was headed home without a challenge of any note. The home side were visibly lifted and again at the point where a change was on the cards with just seven minutes left another well directed cross eluded our tired defence and the equaliser was slotted home.

A sudden urgency was re introduced to our game and one final opportunity fell to Malik Buari who drove his effort tamely wide.

A point gained or two lost. Only time will tell.