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The Chequer's recent run of good form
continued this week with a defeat of table topping John
Henry's who came into the game unbeaten in the league.
Injuries once again meant
the squad was threadbare with only eleven men available,
and only six of the squad who earned a fine draw with
Rustington last week were playing.
However, the available players were fired up for this
game, knowing three points were vital to sustain a title
challenge.
Chequer took the game to
Henrys throughout the first half, and created a number
of scoring opportunities, whilst defending robustly. Chequer
took the lead from a deflected Warren Partridge effort,
only for Henry's to level soon afterwards via a Gareth
Dutton own goal in an attempt to clear a ball across the
goal mouth. Chequer held strong though and added three
further first half goals for a healthy 4-1 half time lead.
All three goals resulted from right wing crosses from
Tom Pickford. The pick of the bunch worked from Jonathan
Wood at left wing back who cut inside his marker to square
the ball to Simon Friend-James who in turn quickly moved
the ball out to Tom on the right wing, and his pinpoint
cross was volleyed home by Warren from 12 yards. Warren
Partridge added a third for his hatrick and George Trafford
headed home another fine cross.
Despite our lead Henry's
had played good football throughout and we knew the game
was far from over. Within the first five minutes of the
second half we missed two glorious chances to extend the
lead. Halfway through the second half though Aaron Comber,
playing an unfamiliar central forward role headed home
a Warren Partridge cutback to give us what seemed an unassailable
lead.
John Henry's were not finished
though, and in the last twenty minutes they began to dominate
possession in midfield, particularly when sweeper Miles
stepped up into midfield. Henry's began to create a number
of chances and stretch the Chequer back-line. George Trafford
dropped into the back four in a bid to strengthen defence,
but this merely gave Henry's more room to move the ball
around midfield. Miles helped himself to two late goals,
the first a stunning, unstoppable drive into the top corner,
and despite the four goal cushion we had been enjoying
the team can be endebted to Keeper Matt Bailey who pulled
off a series of outstanding saves in the last twenty minutes.
But for his efforts we may well have taken only a point
or nothing from this game and he was easily the man of
the match.
This result takes
us second in the league above Rustington Sports, six points
behind John Henry's with two games in hand. Things are
getting interesting at the top, and our next game against
Lancing Empire will be another big test, despite their
poor start this season, Empire haven't dominated this
league for the last few years without reason.
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Squad:
(3-5-2)
Matt Bailey
Richard Wilkie
Gareth Dutton
Christian Young
Tom Pickford
George Traford
Simon Friend-James
Lewis Partridge
Jonathan Wood
Warren Partridge
Aaron Comber
Goalscorers:
Warren Partridge (3)
Aaron Comber
George Trafford
M.O.M.:
Matt
Bailey |
