Title Hopefuls

Our win or lose performances of early season has recently been replaced by a succession of draws, which meant that in another evenly matched game this outcome was distinctly possible again.

An unusually bright start by us saw us rewarded just after a quarter of an hour, when Scott Todd smartly converted when Malik Buari`s well directed free kick came back off the post.

Backed by an enthusiastic crowd there was a sense of purpose about our play, and it was no surprise when ten minutes later Malik Buari increased our lead. Tidy midfield play resulted in Martin Jackson passing into space behind the full back which was exploited by Buari`s pace and clever finish over the onrushing goal keeper.

With an attacking emphasis on show from both sides, it was clear the scoring hadn`t finished, and when Chertsey pulled one back on thirty- three minutes it was probably deserved. A left wing cross eluded our three man back line, to allow a neat finish at the back post.

Almost immediately our two goal lead was restored. Buari rushing clear again, to lift the ball over the keeper to head home as the Chertsey defence scrambled to stay with him. With half time approaching Chertsey sensed they needed a goal before the half to keep them in the game.

This arrived a minute before the break when another left wing cross was headed home.

Despite the lateness of this goal we still had time to create another chance. This time a corner dropped invitingly to Bennett, whose volley slammed against the cross bar and down onto the line before being scrambled to safety.

The second period was just as eventful.
Picking up from where we left off we had the first real chance of the half. From a Chertsey corner we broke quickly, and intelligent movement from Reece Jackson followed by a first time pass to Darren Smith seemed certain to result in a goal, but his shot went agonisingly wide. Still we pressed, and when Malik Buari shrugged off his marker to shoot goalwards it seemed certain we would score. A good save however denied us, although a comical goal was nearly ours when from the initial save the goalkeeper elected to punch clear only to somehow mis-connect to the point where his attempted clearance just passed the post.

Our loss was Chertsey`s gain as they seemed to recognise that we were letting them off the hook. With a degree of aggression between the Chertsey players surfacing, it was evident that they were going to push hard for an equaliser, and this arrived when a clearance by Daniel Fisher in our goal who appeared to be fouled, fell to Pomroy who volleyed home.

With our own inquest now on show we lost our way, and just a minute later we were behind. Failing to organise properly and apply the basic requirements of defending we allowed too much time and space to Pomroy who slotted home again.

Try as we might, our earlier fluency was gone and in a desperate attempt to draw level we often left ourselves open at the back although thankfully we were not punished.

At the final whistle it was a case of what might have been as our non winning run was extended further.