We faced Chipstead FC on Tuesday, 3rd September in an evening kick-off on what turned out to be a rather balmy evening. This was a very important game for us, as we were trying to secure our first points of the season after five games.

A good crowd of 83 turned up to watch the match. We had a couple of players unavailable from the previous Saturday’s loss to AFC Whyteleafe. Our manager, Warren Burton, opted for a slightly different formation and style compared to that defeat.

Neither side had the upper hand during the first half, but both teams had chances or half-chances to open the scoring. We had a very good opportunity just before half-time when Kionte Gillfillian was put through on goal in the left-hand channel, only to see his shot go straight at the opposition goalkeeper. Half-time: 0-0.

The opening exchanges of the second half were much the same until the 51st minute when we broke the deadlock. After a low, hard cross from the aforementioned Kionte Gillfillian, the keeper could only parry the ball into the path of our No. 9, Carl Oblitey, who calmly slotted it into the net. 1-0. As expected, our visitors tried to get back into the game almost immediately and had a couple of good chances, but we were able to thwart their efforts. We were much more focused on game management and were proving to be very successful at it.

We didn’t seal the game until injury time when, from a corner on the left, Toby Young scored his first goal for us. A defender flicked the corner into his path, and he was able to fire the ball into the net at the far post, prompting relief all around. However, our opponents weren’t finished just yet, as they swept forward and were unlucky not to pull a goal back. We held on and were able to record our first points of the season.

We now need to keep that momentum going when we visit Camberley Town this coming Saturday for only our second away league game of the season; it should be a good match.