Saturday, December 28 . 3pm . Alwyns Lane
Chertsey Town 2 (Tanner 76, Little 87)
Tiverton Town 2 (Day 38, Billington 47)
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South
WEIGHING up what looked like a hard mission on paper, with integral and influential players Joe Parker and Josh Jones – who, of course, is not long back from injury – rested with the sheer volume of games this time of the year, the outcome of this game looks like a very good point gained.
However, with the Yellows’ two up with around 75 minutes of the 90 played, Tivvy could be excused for feeling a little deflated at the final whistle.
The rotation of the squad meant Kai Churchley coming into the match-day line-up. There were also starts for Gabe Billington and Marcus Day, the latter replacing Javan Wright, who injured himself in the warm-up. Asa Hall took his place in a three at the back with Toby Down and Oli Jenkins. Bailey Kempster, also returnIng to the squad, was amongst the substitutes.
Chertsey were in 10h place at the start of play, but the Curfews were unable to call on the services of Jack Mazzone, the second-highest scorer in the division, because of injury. Their squad is stacked with experienced performers at Step 3, though.
There was very little in the opening exchanges between the sides, and a couple of injury stoppages made the play somewhat disjointed. The loss of home centre-back Simba Kudijywa resulted in the introduction of Bernie Tanner, one of a strong contingent of ex Met Police players in Chertsey’s ranks.
As the half progressed, it was the Yellows who were shading it and, on 38 minutes, former Taunton and Frome man Day took full advantage of a mix-up in the Curfews’ defence by firing us into a deserved lead from distance – a lead they held at the interval and a scoreline that would have given us much heart ahead of the second half.
Teenage debutant, Exeter loanee Gabe Billington, then instilled greater belief into the Tivvy side by scoring a second, just two minutes after the resumption.
Predictably, Chertsey became more adventurous and forward thinking with, firstly, the dangerous winger Dan Rowe entering the field of play on 58 minutes and, then, cultured veteran ex Chesham and Hayes & Yeading midfielder Toby Little appearing in the 70th minute. However, the Yellows were managing the game well and posing a threat in the final third.
There was no real hint of a comeback until, in the 76th minute, Lewis Flatman’s corner saw substitute Tanner plant a header beyond goalkeeper Joe Duncan and into the back of the Tiverton goal.
The Curfews then sprung forward and, despite a fine double save from Bristol City loanee Duncan, the vastly experienced Little was on hand to equalise with three minutes of normal time remaining. There was no further addition to the score and, after six extra minutes were played, it finished all square, a despairing end on an afternoon when the team appeared to be heading to an all important victory.
With New Year ’s Day opponents Plymouth Parkway’s victory against Havant & Waterlooville meaning that they have climbed above us into 19th place, there will plenty riding on that result in what is a traditional six-pointer.
What is clear, though, is that there is no time to dwell on the negatives – all to play for, as the Yellows hope to complete their Christmas programme on a positive note. We look forward to what is sure to be an action packed Devon Derby at Bolitho Park, 3pm on Wednesday.
Yellows: Duncan, Thompson, Jenkins, Hall, Down, D Jones, Britton, Billington, Day, Churchley, Jarvis. Substitutes: Kempster, Swann, Forkuo.
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