Sunday 28^th March

Under 10  Barnet Wood 0 - 2 Chipstead A

Playing fixtures in and around the Easter weekend is always a gamble, with two of our squad members away we were down to the bear 7 to play this league fixture away to Barnet Wood who we narrowly defeated 3-2 on our way to the Shield Final earlier in the season.

Our plans were thrown into disarray when Spencer, one of our Key defenders was unable to play due to a knee injury suffered at training on Saturday.

With all of the parents and boys happy to field just six players, we took ourselves to a cloggy, slopping pitch in sunny Kent to take our chances.

Although less in numbers, the boys were confident and with a quick team talk it was decided that if all the boys gave an extra 20% we would in fact be over our seven allowed players!!

From the very first touch of the game, these lads were in the zone, never putting a foot wrong and playing their best football the uphill slope was not an issue.

Charlie and Jack in Defence were strong in the tackle, anticipating and playing with confidence. Midway through the half, Jack took the ball out of defence on one-of-his runs pass two opponents than released a 25+yard shot that had to be tipped over. This gave us the wind in our sails, before long Alex, Oliver and Pembo were moving the ball around with prowess. Another slick move saw Oliver turn quickly and hit a curling ball towards to top corner that forced another good save. From the resulting corner Alex found Pembo on the back post who narrowly volley over - these boys meant business today.

With the half time whistle came relief and a sense of realism that we could not only get something out of this game but we could win this.

Playing downhill they boys gave no let off, pressure was applied and within five mins another sweeping move benefitted from the slope, Charlie played with class from defence to Pembo who played it to Oliver. The ball whipped across the box to Alex who struck right footed into the Barnet Wood goal - 1- 0 to Chips.

Legs were starting to get tired but Charlie and Jack were closing everything down and releasing the ball well - Josh in goal was called upon for an amazing reaction save tipping over from 5 yards - was this to be another clean sheet to make it ten out of the last eleven games!  

A last effort was needed and with an amazing spirit the boys piled the pressure on again - something to behold.

Quick interplay released Oliver who beat one defender and slid past the advancing keeper to make it 2 - 0 Chips.

The final throws were played out with every ball being chased until the sound of the fulltime whistle rang out.

A shell shocked Barnet Wood team left the pitch to dismay whilst a jubilant Chipstead team of just six boys left the field to loud applause.

A game to remember for everything that we have coached over the last four years, but it was the performance of all, rather than the win, that was so impressive.     

Man of the Match - Charlie  

Get Well Soon Spencer and we look forward to seeing Sam and Joe back soon - we missed you all today