Review Sat 6 Jan 2018

The “biggest” CCL match on Saturday was of course at Horley Town, our final survivors in the FA Vase, who were entertaining Sussex high flyers Chichester City in the 4th Round. Sadly, despite going close, Horley’s and the League’s interest in the competition has come to an end, following a win for the visitors by two goals to one. League Chairman Chris Conlon was present and has reported that Horley’s organisation on the day was excellent and there was also a superb programme.

In the League, the stand-out result on the day was Chertsey’s 7-1 victory over Banstead Athletic, even though the clubs are quite close in the table. Neither club appears to have put up a match report but top scorer for the Curlews was Joe Jones who hit four.

At the top of the table, Westfield ground out another win, this time winning 2-1 at Farnham Town, both goals from Max Blackmore. There was something of a surprise at Knaphill as they defeated second placed Bedfont Sports, also 2-1. Both SCR and Walton & Hersham took full advantage, both enjoying 3-1 home wins over Guildford City and Godalming Town respectively.

In Division One, pace setters Worcester Park suffered their first loss for a long time, losing at home by the only goal of the game to challengers Sheerwater, scored by Shane Rideout, with just over 15 minutes left on the clock. Staines Lammas also dropped points in a 1-2 defeat at AC London, but Cobham with four games in hand on Sheerwater, enjoyed a 5-2 win against Chessington & Hook. Badshot Lea, playing on Friday night at local rivals Fleet Spurs, continued their relentless run with a 4-1 victory and are hell bent on returning to the Premier Division next season.

Other notable results in Division One included a 4-0 home win for Kensington Borough over Raynes Park Vale, a margin of victory that would not have been expected whilst a thrilling contest at Ash saw the home side winning in the final moments by 5 goals to 4 against Bedfont & Feltham. Spare a thought for B & F’s Charley Gee who scored all four of his side’s goals only to finish on the losing side.
Only one match was postponed, that at South Park Reserves and doubtless their proposed new 3G pitch cannot come soon enough.

There is no league action in midweek. Generally very few matches are scheduled for early January as so many end up postponed but there are Surrey Senior Cup games on Tuesday evening for Farnham Town, at home to Met Police and at Westfield, who entertain Colliers Wood United in an all CCL affair. Chertsey entertain Hartley Wintney in the Aldershot Senior Cup and Chessington are at home to Walton Casuals in the S. Comb. Cup all on Tuesday evening and that’s it for midweek.