Binfield 1 Chipstead 2

Chipstead completed a fine unbeaten end to their Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division season with a well-earned 2-1 win at Binfield on the final day - last losing to champions Bracknell Town on 12th February, Chips had gone 10 games unbeaten before the ultimate match, were 4th in the form table since then + proudly undefeated under Kieran Lavery’s captaincy

In spite of missing players due to injury, suspension or just absence, the 12 remaining on duty in their third game in 5 days played resolutely as a team & secured all three points - they started brightly, with Jack Beadle having a shot deflected wide for a corner, from which Andy Somo shot over - & they took the lead on 17 minutes, as Beadle sent Somo in on goal, with the tall striker making no mistake with his finish to claim his landmark 20th goal of the season

Four minutes later & it was 2-0, as Beadle broke away inside-left, beating defender + keeper to the ball to ease it home - Chipstead had chances to make it 3-0 - Tom Smith fed Beadle through the middle, but the keeper just got to the ball first - then Wayne Colman fed Somo, who played in Beadle, but his shot went wide of the far post

Typically Binfield edged their way back into the game, as a speculative overhead kick went over keeper Matt Kerbey & into the net for 2-1 - but Chips kept pushing forward, as Somo outmuscled the home defence, which was lucky to see his shot deflected wide of the post, & Somo headed the corner over

It was all hands to the pump defending the lead with Colman & Jamal Abubakari both in the wars making key blocks, but Chipstead still led 2-1 at the break, yet they had to bring on sub Sam Clayton for a cameo appearance after a long time away from the game for the injured Colman, although they pushed on from the restart

Somo’s measured shot inside the far post was inches away from its target before being cleared - then Smith broke away inside right, but the keeper just beat him to the ball - Clayton, moving forward inside left found Beadle, but his shot was blocked - Somo, from the same position, pulled the ball back to Smith, but a touch too strongly for the young midfielder to steer it home

Somo kept beavering away up front, but it was a whole team performance, which had earned the lead & protected the points - Smith broke down the left, but Clayton’s shot was blocked - then Alpha Barry Diallo teed up Clayton from the same position, but his shot went wide

Chipstead held on well to end up 11 games unbeaten, 10th in the league table, and it is hoped that the management + many of this young team will stay together, & push on, come the new season in August