Venue: Wey Court
KO - 13:30PM
Result: 0 - 0

We started the match poorly. For the first 20 minutes or so we couldn’t keep the ball and straight from kick off we were immediately under pressure when the ball was knocked out for a throw on deep in our own half. The ball was whipped in and we failed to clear, the ball dropping on the edge of the box where a Godalming town attacker hit the ball with pace which was deflected towards goal, and the bottom corner but fortunately Rob Leach got down to it well and turned it away for a corner.

We didn’t really create much until the last 10 minutes of the first half when a corner was met well on the penalty spot by James Owens the ball bounced on the six yard box and the man on the line failed to clear leading to the ball striking the post and bouncing out, eventually cleared. Then Jamie Quigg broke through and was brought down about 25 yards out, the referee decided to give the free kick (surprisingly as he hadn’t given us anything up until this point). Sean Hickey stepped up and smashed it towards goal, the Godalming Goalkeeper was beaten and flapping at the ball but unfortunately for Cheam Town the bar kept the ball out!

At half time we were given a stern talking to by our manager Ralph Watson and his assistant Dave Owens about our poor first half performance.

It really showed as we came out fired up and looking for that crucial goal. We had a few chances but none better then Chris Richards effort with 25 minutes left, we had won a free kick on the right hand side of the box which Alex Wynter whipped in with pace, the ball bouncing around the penalty spot where Chris met it 10 yards out with a poke towards the top corner….the whole ground thought it was in but the Godalming keeper pulled off a save that I would be proud of. James Owens also had a good chance when he was put through one on one with the keeper who again made another good save.

 It wasn’t looking like it was going to be our day as Tony Dee was stretchered off with what looked like a very serious injury to his left knee. This has yet to be confirmed when the referee dubiously decided to play on when the ball was clearly out of play leaving Rob Leach stranded out of his goal, I then shouted abuse?? At the ref who thought this to be a red card offence sending me to the Dugout, a poor decision which effectively ruined the game, however I now know it was a poor mistake to make by myself. James Owens then took my gloves and replaced me in goal for the last 10mins.

Then at the final whistle James Owens was also sent off for the same reason as Rob Leach. Leaving the Cheam Town players and coaching staff furious at the referee. Not a good result for Cheam town but we will go on and take the positives from this game and carry it on to win our next game!

Match Report:  Rob Leach (Goalkeeper)