Northwood 1 Chipstead 1

It finished a point apiece, as Chipstead visited Northwood in their mid-table latest match in the Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division on Saturday afternoon, as they equalised the home side’s early penalty before halftime in a 1-1 draw

The Woods had already had a sight of goal, before their centre-forward was adjudged to have been fouled in the box by Callum McAllister, & their no. 4 put away the spot-kick

But Chipstead began to find their feet in the game, & nearly equalised when Jack Beadle was played in by Tom Smith, but the keeper came off his line to deny him, although he was nearly beaten when he mishandled in his box, giving Andy Somo a chance, but his shot rebounded off the far post & away to safety

As Chips grew into the game, Smith shot wide after a good cross from Warren Colman, but Somo was soon on the scoresheet again, as he seized upon a mishit goal kick & made no mistake with his finish to make it 1-1 after 37 minutes - he even had another shot before halftime, & Colman saw an effort deflected for a corner, from which McAllister’s cross kissed the crossbar

Smith came close just after the break, yet it was Northwood who had the ball in the net next, but it was offside - the home side pushed for the lead, & did see one attempt land on the roof of the net, but Chipstead kept plugging away, & a Kieran Lavery free-kick saw the Woods’ keeper at full stretch, before McAllister shot wide

The game seemed to peter out with both sides seemingly accepting a point each - Northwood did launch a series of long throws into the Chipstead box, but the defence held firm, & there was even time for a shot from distance, which went wide, from Armani-Jordan Martin, who has signed back on at the High Road

A resolute point then, but, as Chips’ manager Rob Kember commented, with a starting lineup containing one 17-year-old, two 18-year-olds & three 19-year-olds, it was a great experience for them all, having to dig deep at times against a well-organised side, & also pleasing how senior players around them have stepped up over the last couple of weeks - the future is surely bright at the High Road

Chipstead remain 10th in the league table, unbeaten in their last 5 matches, ahead of Saturday’s home game with Thatcham Town on Non-League Day in aid of Prostate Cancer UK