Magpies 1-3 Chertsey Tn, SLSP Sat 2/11/24 Match Report added

An ok first half, but the second half was really poor, too many players off their game, which we can't afford as the result proves. Need to change things quickly, or we could end up getting pulled back into the relegation scrap!

Can we give Billy a game now? We are lacking a top finisher but who isn't? Played some lovely stuff at times. Thought matty Burrows had a good game and was surprised when he went off. Another decent side in a tough league.You simply have to convert chances.

Graham's Match Report -

Wimborne Town 1 Chertsey Town 3 - Southern League Premier South - 2 Nov 2024

For the second time in four days, Wimborne squandered a half-time lead and let another three points slip through their toes. On their first visit, Chertsey scored three times in the last third of the game to overturn a lead given by Matty Burrows.

Manager Sills made three changes to his starting line-up bringing in Harry Baker, Matty Burrows, and Matt Neale.

Defences were on top in a cat-and-mouse opening half-hour with central defenders Sam Roberts and Harvey Wright for the hosts, and Duffy and Kudyiwa for the visitors limiting attackers to half-chances. For Chertsey, Lee fired wide of Alex Rutter's far post after Mazzone's clever juggling made space for him. At the other end, Will Fletcher's header from Sam Jackson's cross was at a comfortable height for keeper Smith; Burrows pulled a shot wide; then the winger drew a strong save from the stopper from close range.

The game came alive on thirty-nine minutes. Lee's twenty-yard curler from the left of the "D" was heading for the top corner before an acrobatic save by Rutter. The Magpies immediately countered with Burrows through one-on-one with Smith. As the winger rounded the keeper his ankles were clipped before Duffy finished the job and completely flattened him. Referee Dunn showed both men in fluorescent yellow matching cards. With Harry Morgan on the bench, Will Fletcher took responsibility and fired the resulting penalty to the shot-stopper's right only for the keeper to brilliantly deflect the ball over the bar.

The Curfews' relief lasted six minutes as the clock ticked over into five minutes of time added-on. A defender's high miss-cue on the left was headed on by Fletcher for Burrows to volley first time into the corner of the net from twelve yards to give Wimborne an interval lead. It was a very accomplished finish.

Wimborne looked comfortable particularly in the last fifteen minutes of the half; the back four looked assured, especially after the flying Ompreon had limped off; with Rutter the less busy keeper in the first period. However, Chertsey's slick link play through midfield, and their speedy attackers, made you think that a one-goal lead wouldn't be enough. And how true that would turn out to be!

Wright continued in fine form at the start of the second period as he kept pace with his winger before making a telling sliding tackle. On fifty-six minutes Flatman's low, central, twenty-five yard free-kick eluded the wall but not the well-positioned Rutter. With Jez Bedford having to head clear as he helped out his colleagues, the visitors looked the more likely to bag the next goal. And they did just that shortly after the hour mark. The ball was swept wide to Wright on the left. Mazzone's ten-yard header from his cross was perfectly placed to creep inside the post. And with that equaliser, the momentum of the game changed in favour of the visitors.

Manager Sills responded by making a triple substitution. Although The Magpies were energetic, recycled possession, and threatened until the edge of the penalty area, the only save keeper Smith would have to make was at a nice height from Fletcher's header from Biss's cross in the last minute of the nine added-on at the end of the second-half. Fletcher had earlier headed Jackson's cross inches wide, but Wimborne rarely looked like scoring again.

However, The Curfews did, and they took the lead on seventy-nine minutes when Mazzone turned provider, sliding the ball across the goal area for Lewis Flatman, unmarked on the left, to gleefully net from close range. With Wimborne chasing the game, Mazzone completed the scoring deep into time added-on when he reacted quickest after Flatman's shot was saved by Rutter.

Yes, Chertsey looked a decent side, but too many of Wimborne's team put in below par performances. In his post-match interview, Manager Sills shared the disappointment of the home fans. As a result of the game, Chertsey leap-frog us into tenth, Wimborne drop to fourteenth.

Next up it's Taunton at home on Saturday.

Wimborne: Rutter, Biss, Roberts, Wright, Jackson, Carmichael, Neale (Morgan 69), Bedford, Burrows (Beale 69), Fletcher, Baker (Munn 69)
Unused subs: Scorey, Walker

Attendance: 690

Match stats:

Magpies/Curfews

Goal attempts on target 5/7
Goal attempts off target 4/3
Goal attempts blocked 5/1
Corners 3/2
Fouls conceded 12/8
Offside 4/5
Cards 2Y/3Y

After 14 matches last season we had scored 29 goals. This season, 13. I think we all saw the defensive vulnerability last season when teams get behind us but our opposition weren't good enough to punish us. So what has gone wrong? We are missing Jack but it seems some of our other stalwarts just aren't on it. Is it lack of confidence, ability or are they being played in a system that doesn't work? Answers on a postcard as I don't know but it all seems a bit flat recently. One win in six now in all comps, we need to reverse this soon...and guess what, our arch nemesis luffers is in town next Sat!!! 😜

Taunton on Saturday and suspect they will be well drilled by Luffers into launching it long, so it will be interesting to see if we play with 3CB's and maybe a defensive midfielder to counteract this but still with 2 up front in a 3-5-2 formation!?

I know, I am suggesting something different, which may mean a change of personnel on the pitch

Taunton will be a tough game I think billy walker will start Saturday