Chipstead had to settle for a share of the points, as they were unable to break down the 10 men of Badshot Lea, although they came mighty close, in their latest match in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division South on Saturday afternoon 

They started brightly enough, as Abioseh Davies & Deshon Carty combined, but the ball was blocked for a corner, which James Mansfield took, but it went beyond his teammates & not straight into the goal like last Saturday

Tiago Santos David, deputising in goal for the injured Jacob Bennett, made a fine reflex save to keep the home side at bay, before Edd Mbango at the other end was tripped on the edge of the box, but Michael Agyemang's free-kick was blocked, as was his follow-up

The game changed in the 25th minute, as the referee deemed the home no. 10's challenge too strong on Davies & gave him a straight red card

A few minutes later, the home crowd sought parity, as Santos David dashed out of his area & mistimed his challenge on the forward, but only saw yellow with defenders back to cover - he then rubbed it in by making another good save, & it remained goalless at the break

It's not always that simple for the team with 11 still on the pitch to take advantage, but Chipstead were positive upon the resumption, with Agyemang's shot from distance held by the keeper

Mbango went close, as he headed Davies' cross inches wide, before skipper Quincy Rowe went even closer, as he headed Mansfield's corner goalwards, but the home keeper tipped it away

Chips brought on second-half substitutions, & Mbango soon headed Cameron Harrison's cross just wide, before Yonas Emhatsion put over a dangerous ball from the left, but his colleagues couldn't get on to the end of it

Mansfield hit a drive, but the keeper parried it, & then Leevi Bassett's header cannoned back off the crossbar from Harrison's cross

Badshot Lea had a few chances too, & Agyemang had to clear off the line with the keeper beaten, before Santos David made a fine double save to keep the score level

Emhatsion squared the ball to Davies, as Chipstead chased the winner, but he shot wide, & Agyemang hit another drive inches over the target

Chips couldn't find that elusive goal, & it finished 0-0, keeping the side in 8th position in the league table, ahead of next Saturday's trip to Camberley Town