Chertsey maintained their good start to the season by winning against Hartley Wintney by the odd goal in three.
The Curfews started the game at a blistering pace and inside the first minute should have been ahead. Sam Ompreon got behind the Row defence and his cross left Gianluca Botti with an open goal. However, almost on the goal line, the forward got the ball stuck under his feet and backtracking Hartley defenders managed to clear. Intense pressure followed from Chertsey as the Row were forced to defend a number of dangerous corners.
Hartley were almost gifted a goal on six minutes following an error in the home defence. Elijas Bagdonavicius took advantage, but the Curfews keeper Nick Jupp saved. Another period of intense pressure followed with Chertsey bombarding the Hartley goal and the Row defenders putting in a number of brave blocks. During the period Louis Bouwers had a decent chance but shot straight at Callum Coulter in the Hartley goal.
The Row edged into the game and went ahead on 13 minutes, a corner on the right from Reece Wylie was not cleared and efforts from Taylor Morgan and Liam Gavin were blocked. The ball eventually fell to Kayne Jobson who shot home from 10 yards. (0-1).
The pattern of the game resumed with the Curfews applying the pressure but the Row looked dangerous when they came out of defence. Ompreon came close for Chertsey on 20 minutes when he brought out and good save from Coulter. This resulted in an amazing scramble in front of the Row goal which they just about survived.
After 20 minutes a free kick for Chertsey saw an accurate delivery from Luke Robertson and Bouwers headed over. The long overdue equaliser arrived on 38 minutes. Hartley managed to scramble the ball out following a spell of pressure. Wayne Ridgely tried a shot from 25 yards which took a deflection and finished up in the corner of the net (1-1).
Hartley responded well and had a chance on 38 minutes. A George Wallace cross found Bagdonavicius who saw his effort bring out a good save from Jupp. Chertsey had a chance on 40 minutes when Botti got beyond the Hartley defence to set up a one-on-one dual with Coulter which the Hartley stopper won. Hartley had a good spell and a cross from Bagdonavicius was just missed in front of goal by Taylor Morgan. The attack continued and Wylie saw his effort saved by Jupp. The Row were very unlucky not to take the lead a minute before the break. A fast break down the left by Wallace and Jayden Smith saw the latter through on goal. His parting shot hit the inside of the post and the subsequent follow-ups were blocked.
As in the first period, the Curfews came out at full steam ahead. A long ball up field found Ompreon who saw his fine effort hit the crossbar. On 49 minutes Chertsey went ahead. A fast break by Ompreon saw him square to Botti to shoot home from close range. (2-1). On 56 minutes the Curfews were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Conor Lee took the kick and Coulter produced a comfortable save.
Hartley had a good spell and put together some dangerous attacks. On 60 minutes a corner from Wylie saw a forest of heads go up at the back post and a goal-bound header was cleared off the Chertsey line. The Curfews had a chance on 70 minutes when a corner from Ridgely was headed over by Rob Sheridan. Chertsey had another free kick chance on the edge of the Row penalty area which Ridgely shot just over.
The Row had a glorious chance to equalise on 80 minutes. Smith tricked his way into the Curfews penalty area before squaring to Morgan who shot over from 12 yards. Chertsey switched to game management mode with good effect and held on for a deserved win.
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