Harriers started their pre season campaign with a trip to WWFC. A usually tough test with both teams a similar style being able to play football on the deck. Harriers came out the blocks quick from the off and started well getting the ball down and keeping hold of possession early on in some tough weather conditions. The midfield trio of Danny G, Luke & Ivan dominated the middle of the pitch. Despite all of Chertseys early possession, we didn't create any clear cut chances mainly down to the organised back four of WWFC and the quality of our final ball which is still yet to come. The first real chance came from a free kick on the left hand edge of the area that Ivan took but lacks any real power or accuracy which their keeper saved comfortably. As the game went on, WWFC grew into it but still rarely troubled the Harriers back four who looked solid throughout, not really giving the front three of WWFC a sniff at goal. About 35mins into the game Ivan released Mumford in acres of space down the right who scuffed a shot from about 25yards out which the keeper parried out for a corner.
H/T
Unfortunately Joel, who had held the ball up effectively and looked a threat had to come off at half time due to injury and was replaced by Ben. Matt Drew also came on at left back in place of Harry. Chertsey Started the second half in the same fashion as they did the first, coming quick out the blocks and seeing a lot of possession all over the pitch but still not being able to create in the final third. Danny Hart saw a snap shot from about 25yards wide on the right well saved by the weybridge keeper, who minutes later came quickly off his line to deny Harbridge. Ben and Ivan seemed to be linking up well early on, with Ben showing some nice touches on a wet and skiddy pitch where we could rarely use out pace and run in behind the WWFC defense. The only goal of the game came in the 60th minute. Ivan won his team a corner which Danny Hart whipped in low with pace which found its way through to Chris who couldn't miss, tapping the ball in from 6yards. 1-0.
Harriers looked good for their lead and it was fully deserved. The rest of the game continued in similar fashion, seeing Harriers have a lot of the ball and defending well keeping WWFC at bay. A couple of last ditch sliding tackles from Mumford and Chris at the back put a stop to any real chances that the hosts came up with. Harriers had a few more opportunity's in the final quarter of the match where some lovely link up play and quick one touch football between Ivan, Ben & Danny finally saw the ball come to Luke who side footed a shot on the edge of the area going top corner only to see it blocked the the Woking defender. The last Harriers chance fell to man of the match Ivan Astin who after some great link up and unselfish play by Ben, slide Ivan in just inside the box who top poked a shot high and wide when he could have played in Ben for a tap in.
WWFC could have leveled things up with their only real chance coming in the dyeing minutes of the match, saw their pacey winger (No.21) sneak in behind the back four only to put his effort inches wide of the post.
Overall Chertsey Harriers came our deserved winners in a well fought competitive match played in harsh conditions. Cant fault anyone's performance and was a great team effort, but if i had to give anyone man of the match it would go to Ivan Astin for hard fought running and dominating the middle of the pitch.
Next up is AFC Ripley AWAY
