Chequers' promising pre-season was tempered somewhat after a 6-0 thrashing by Saints FC of Division 2.
It was a fourth different back four in as many games for Chequers, as Stu Rolls and Rob Mardell regained their places in central defence, Chris Wills shifted to left back and Tom Tracy to right back. Captain Wayne Mardel returned on the left wing, with Michael Ryan retaining his spot on the opposite flank. Gavin O'Brien dropped into central midfield next to Tom Smith, and Enzo Sgambati returned to his role up front next to Dean Hinton.
Saints looked quick and powerful from the off, and Chequers were forced back for much of the opening exchanges without facing too much actual threat on their goal, reducing the home side to shots from distance and crosses that were easily dealt. The home side's pressing style didn't allow Chequers any time on the ball in the midfield, at times resulting in enforced long ball tactics which were totally ineffective against a strong defence. For the first time this summer, O'Brien and Hinton found themselves outsized and outmuscled in aerial confrontations. Chequers defended dilligently despite some panicky play, but were eventually undone on the 30 minute mark as a passing move on the edge of the area released the striker into the box who took a touch before drilling the ball low through the onrushing John Roullier's legs for 1-0, which it remained at half time.
Early in the second half Jon Onyon replaced Wills in the back four to offer a natural left footed option, and Mickey Francois came on to replace Sgambati up front. For the first 10 minutes of the second half Chequers managed to press high up the pitch and forces their opponents into some mistakes, but in truth Chequers could simply not find any sort of passing game and possession was quickly lost each time. The home side then doubled their lead in spectacular fashion, as the right back joined an attack late, skipped past a challenge 20 yards out, and lashed a powerful, swerving effort past Roullier's fingertips into the roof of the net for 2-0. Tim Warne and Michael Towler were introduced to the fray in an attempt to stem the tide, but Saints were rampant as Chequers fell apart. Minutes later it was 3-0, as Saints countered quickly following a rare Chequers corner, and with only Towler back it was a simple task for one striker to leave the other an empty net to roll the ball into, effectively killing the game off. 3 quickly became 4; this time a partially cleared corner was returned with interest from the edge of the box and in off the post for 4-0. Saints weren't in a sympathetic mood, and netted a 5th as a good free kick delivery was bundled over the line. The final salt in the Chequers wounds was self-inflicted, as Onyon and Roullier made a hash of some short passing, presenting the striker with an empty net for 6-0. Hinton did manage to record Chequers' single shot on target which was easily saved by the Saints 'keeper, but the margin of defeat could and perhaps should have been worse as Rolls somehow survived a huge shout for a penalty when clipping the heels of a Saints player in the box.
In truth, Saints were simply a better team and Chequers should try and take heart from keeping it tight in the first half. Chequers fans took to social media after the game in support of their beloved Purples; many raising the question of why they end up playing teams from 2 or 3 divisions above every summer only to take a hammering.
