Basingstoke beat play-off candidates Chertsey Town 3-1 on Tuesday night, to continue their 100 per cent start to 2023 and record their ninth consecutive league victory.

The Surrey-based club made the trip to Winklebury placed fourth in the league, three points inside the play-off spots, and in indifferent form – winning three, losing two and drawing one of their previous six games.

Whilst Basingstoke had won the return game 3-0 at Alwyns Lane back in September, Chertsey had experienced more recent success in the fixture.

They thrashed ‘Stoke 5-1 at the Winklebury Complex last season, whilst they also ran out convincing victors in the play-off semi-final on their own patch, just five months later.

Dan Brownlie’s side came out of the blocks quickly, and could have taken the lead just minutes in. Brad Wilson broke in behind, took the ball around goalkeeper Nicholas Jupp, before tapping into an open goal – however the linesman questionably deemed ‘Stoke’s top scorer to be offside.

The chances kept coming, and the league leaders eventually got their noses in front. The Chertsey defenders failed to deal with a lofted cross from Wilson and the ball rolled out invitingly for George Reid, who hammered a rocket off the underside of the crossbar into the top-left corner.

The strike took him level with the away side’s No.10 William Montague on 14 league goals this season.

Basingstoke continued their magnificent first-half performance, and saw their efforts rewarded on the brink of half-time when Paul Hodges doubled the lead.

Again beneficiaries of a lack of defensive resolve, George Reid had his shot saved by Jupp, before Simon Dunn’s effort was blocked by a frantic sea of white shirts.

However, it was third time lucky, as Hodges was on hand to lift the ball into the net and bag his second goal for the club since signing in late January.

The hosts were much more reserved in the second period, and managed the game excellently to limit the amount of opportunities Chertsey could create.

However, with the quality the leaders boasted up front, a third goal was always a very real threat.

And that threat came into fruition with around ten minutes left on the clock, when Brad Wilson got his name on the scoresheet and moved eight clear in the league’s top scorer charts.

The No.7 received a delicate pass from Sam Argent, and took two touches to prepare himself before curling a long range effort into the right-hand corner.

With five minutes to go, the Curfews showed a slight glimpse at why they had the second-highest goal difference in the division.

Right-back Manolis Gogonas, who had drifted into an attacking midfield position, played a neat one-two with Sam Murphy before driving a great strike under the diving arms of Paul Strudley in goal – to give their travelling supporters something to cheer.

However, it was a case of ‘too little, too late’ for the visitors and the match ended 3-1.

Basingstoke did their job and, whilst they had the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table, 2nd-placed Walton & Hersham ensured they were unable to do so – as they beat 3rd-placed Northwood 2-1 away from home to continue their pursuit and keep the gap at seven points.

For ‘Stoke, their focus will now be on the away trip to Chipstead this Saturday.