Frustration for ‘Stoke as Chertsey take the spoils

Despite the hosts taking an early lead through a James Clark penalty (11’), a brace from Oliver McCoy (26’,71’) and a goal from Cole Brown (44’) saw The Curfews take all three points back up the M3 to Surrey.

The visitors got the game underway, but it was the hosts who created the first opportunity of the match. A long throw was turned behind for a corner, which Sam Deadfield then swung in. Clark managed to get on the end of the corner but could only direct his header over the bar.

They then created the next clear-cut effort. Following some great build-up play, Liam Ferdinand rolled the ball to Deadfield who danced through the Chertsey defence, only to see his shot saved by Joshua Strizovic.

The danger wasn’t fully cleared with the ball eventually making its way to James Dickson. Dickson was able to swing in a cross towards Ferdinand, but he was dragged to the floor by Simbarashe Kudyiwa and the referee pointed to the spot. Clark stepped up, sent Strizovic the wrong way and the hosts took the lead. (1-0).

The game then became a very much back-and-forth type of game – both sides attacks probing the others defence for an opening, but the defences holding firm, with both keepers there to sweep up any danger and no real chances – until the visitors equalised.

After some head tennis in their half, the ball was touched back to William Montague, who played a ball through to set McCoy (and hurt himself in the process). McCoy raced away from the ‘Stoke defence and slotted the ball under the oncoming Allan to level the game. (1-1).

As the half-hour mark approached, George Reid had a half-chance to put ‘Stoke ahead again, latching onto a flick-on from Ferdinand, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner by Kudyiwa. The corner led to a series of throw-ins, but no effort on goal for the hosts.

A couple of decisions from the officials led to tempers flaring. The first, after the aforementioned series of throw-ins, Chertsey tried to break out and Jack Ball was adjudged to have brought down Nathan Rogers – replays appear to show no contact at all.

Then, moments later, when challenging for a high ball, Dickson appeared to have been elbowed in the head by Calum Duffy. Dickson left lying in a heap, Duffy initially got straight up from the challenge, before returning to the ground once more. The referee then decided to award the visitors a free-kick.

Frustratingly for the hosts, as half-time approached, they fell behind. A long ball hit forward by Oliver Turner split the ‘Stoke defence and set Brown clear. His first touch set the ball just inside the penalty area and his second fired the ball into the roof of the net. (1-2).

Stoke did have one more effort before the half-time whistle, but Ben Cook’s volley went high over the bar.

HT Basingstoke Town 1 – 2 Chertsey Town

‘Stoke got the second half underway and looked to get an equaliser early on. Reid was sent away down the right flank by Cook five minutes in, but got the ball caught under his feet and couldn’t quite get his shot away when he wanted and lofted the ball wide. Cook himself then latched onto a defensive mistake by the visitors but couldn’t quite get the ball under control and Strizovic collected at his feet.

‘Stoke were piling pressure on the visiting defence and, 12 minutes into the second half, Reid was sent through by Cook once more – but his half-volley could only find the side netting. Shortly after, Gallagher ran through on goal but tried to be unselfish and slide the ball across to Ferdinand – but Kudyiwa managed to stick his boot in the way and the ball deflected safely to Strizovic.

The Curfews’ first real foray forward was a counter-attack from a ‘Stoke free-kick. They worked the ball from left to right, but Turner’s effort was caught by Allan. However, with their next attack, the visitors would increase their lead.

Chertsey once more tried to work the ball from right to left, but a deflection carried the ball out to McCoy. McCoy played the ball wide left for Conor Lee and then made a run into the penalty area. Lee took a touch, saw the run of McCoy and whipped the ball into him, and McCoy duly finished, firing past Allan who could only get his fingertips to the ball. (1-3)

‘Stoke continued to push forward, trying to find a way back into the game, and a couple of efforts were blocked and headed over, but it was the visitors who came closest to scoring again.

In the 80th minute, a Ferdinand shot was blocked and the ball launched forwards. A flick off a ‘Stoke head caused the ball to drop behind the defenders and Tobias Little raced onto the ball. He was forced wide so slid the ball across to Sebastian Karczewski, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Allan. Allan then got up and beat Karczewski to the rebound, getting fingertips to the ball and pushing it to Marcus Johnson-Schuster and the hosts cleared.

There were no further clear-cut chances, and The Curfews took all three points.

FT Basingstoke Town 1 – 3 Chertsey Town

Despite having most of the possession, ‘Stoke could not find a way through the stubborn Chertsey defence after going behind. ‘Stoke have dropped to 16th in the league ahead of midweek fixtures that could have a massive impact on the position of ‘Stoke ahead of the weekend fixtures. ‘Stoke travel to ninth placed Sholing on Saturday, March 15, 3pm KO.