Chipstead endured another frustrating afternoon, as they conceded a goal in added time to lose 1-0 to Thatcham Town in their final game in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division South season 2025-26

Thankfully, with their future secure after Tadley-Calleva beat Camberley Town on Monday, the result didn’t matter, but Chips will feel they deserved at least a point

After a level start, they went close, as Kamran Campbell put over a teasing cross from the left, which was cleared only as far as Evan Kelly, but his drive was held by the keeper at the near post

Jordan Wilson hit a free-kick against the wall, & captain Tijani Eshilokun, who shook off an early serious-looking injury, made a vital block at the back, but there were few other clearcut chances, & it remained 0-0 at halftime

The action turned up a notch after the break, with Kelly getting away inside-right, but the keeper gathered his shot

Keeper Jacob Bennett made a good save at the other end, & a Thatcham cross glanced off the crossbar

Eshilokun then dazzled his way through the midfield, before feeding Campbell, but the youngster’s cross was cut out, before Bennett had to be at full stretch to repel another threat

Leo Finch was thwarted by the keeper, before Tyrone Selormey’s dangerous low ball across the box eluded both Eshilokun & Finch

Bennett had to tip another shot over the bar, & then push a free-kick wide

Marley Burton-Bell tried to get on the end of Wilson’s free-kick, after Stanislaw Cyndrowski had been cynically tripped, but he took the full force of the keeper’s challenge, yet nothing was given

Sub Michael Dixon broke through the defence, but couldn’t get his shot on target, before it was Campbell’s turn to jink his way through the midfield, but the move petered out

The killer blow came just into added time, as Bennett was deceived by the bounce on a high ball forward, & the Thatcham sub no. 17 turned the ball into the empty net

Chipstead couldn’t muster an equaliser in the minutes remaining, & indeed their frustration was complete, as Campbell was sent to the sin bin for the last few seconds, after Kelly had been fouled, but nothing was given

It had been that type of season, but thankfully Chipstead end up 17th in the league table, & safe for another season, so will look to regroup and go again in July/August