Hard fought point at Chipstead

Isthmian League – South Central Division

Saturday 13 April 2024

Chipstead 0

Hanworth Villa 0

Match review

On a beautiful sunny afternoon in April we headed to Chipstead for an encounter that may not have provided any goals but certainly didn’t lack in effort from our team.

How we lined up

Kickoff

We started brightly with a number of chances in the first half that – on any other day – might have seen us going in at the break with three or four goals under our belt but we failed to hit the actual target on a number of occasions.

In one move Nicholas found himself four yards out but was falling backwards as he shot sending the ball into orbit. It wasn’t to be Kyen’s day.

We continued to have the majority of possession in the first half, creating plenty of chances but just lacking the finish to put the ball over the line.

There was a pivotal moment at the end of the first half. Richards was tearing down the right wing but had his run halted by a foul. The ref didn’t see the contact and booked Richards for protesting. Theo Crawford went over to talk to the ref about the perceived injustice but got a card himself. Sadly not his last of the game.

Second half

We began the second half brightly but seven minutes in Crawford made a tackle that the ref thought worthy of a yellow, howeever, for the second game in a row the referee had forgotten that he’d booked a player previously (and it seemed obvious that had he realised he’d booked him already he wouldn’t have brandished a second as it was such a minor incident) but on having it pointed out to him had no option but to issue a red to Crawford. Villa down to ten men for the remainder of the half.

Substitutions

• 56 ‘ Bruno Robertson-Tingle replaced Aston Nunn
• 57 ‘Ben Geraghty replaced Kyron Richards

With Theo off the field the team had to re-galvanise and so they did. Chipstead never taking advantage of the extra man. The condition of the pitch was also a factor as this was possibly the worst we’ve played on all season.

Substitution

75′ Jordan Ellis replaced Kyen Nicholas

With the game heading towards stalemate the management threw on Jordan Ellis to give us a different attacking intent. He showed purpose and made some good runs down the right but at the same time Sam Merson looked visibly injured and in effect we were down to nine men as he just didn’t have legs for the last quarter hour.

With ten minutes to go a neat pass found Ellis up against the last defender on the edge of the box, he made space for himself but the final shot lacked power and conviction and was easily saved by their keeper.

With three minutes left on the clock Chipstead had a chance. They won a free kick on the edge of our box. This was their opportunity to grab something in a game they never looked like winning. However the ball was skewed wide and came to nothing.

We battled on, still looking the more likely, but equally looking unlikely to score. The ref added an additional 7 minutes which we huffed and puffed our way through.

Despite the disappointment of not getting a win the point was good point bearing in mind we’d played the second half a man down. On the pitch Sam Mead continued to show his progression adding some good set piece deliveries to his repertoire and at the back Rayan Djouadj looked solid alongside the ever-reliable Guy Ansah-Palmer.

The point may prove vital for Chipstead, hovering as they are just above the relegation places with Binfield just coming into form at the tail end of the season closing the gap in recent weeks.

With the final whistle Simon and the management team gathered the players in the center circle for some home truths and no doubt some encouragement for the next game.

Final result: 0-0