Cold but sunny

Saturday 25 November 2023, Double game day in Surrey:

1230 - Spelthorne Sports 2 Camberley Town 2 - Combine Counties, Premier Division, South, Spelthorne Sports Club - then:

3pm - Chertsey Town 2 Southall 1, Isthmian League, South Central Division, Alwyns Lane

Like a number of hoppers used the early kick off at Spelthorne Sports to get two games in:

1230pm

Spelthorne Sports 2 Camberley Town 2

Camberley started well and got on top and took the lead on 16 minutes, with the home team struggling to put a few passes together, however in the 25th minute they got back on level terms. 10 minutes later, direct from a free kick, Camberley were back in front again but Spelthorne only took 3 minutes this time to get back on term.

In the second half, a surprise to me, it was Spelthorne who were the team on top, but the game kept being interrupted as both teams committed a number of petty fouls. The home saved their best chances to the end and in the last 5 minutes they had two great chances to win the game.

The ground is very basic, next to a busy road, two small seated stands and a small standing cover, clubhouse is outside the ground, but a tea bar was open next to the changing rooms. A quick exit afterwards for the 15 minute drive to Chertsey.

Chertsey Town 2 Southall 1

Big game in the division, second v first. Even arriving with just 10 minutes to spare, still managed to fin a street car park space quite near.

Entered a ground where the bar and food stalls were doing good business, surprised to see so few Southall fans in attendance. Clubhouse is decorated in tribute to the Chertsey team who won the FA Vase.

Great start for Chertsey as they were in front after just 1 minute, and they continued to dominate with their main striker having numerous chances, Southall were disappointing and played little football and were happy to just lump it up front. However on 29 minutes they were back level after scoring from long range. 

Second half, saw Southall down to 10 men after 51 minutes - defender sent off as he looked like he was the last man when fouling, Chertsey scored from the following free kick after Southall failed to clear the initial kick.

Southall then decided to play football and even with 10 men got on top, over 6 minutes of injury time and for every attacking set piece the visiting keeper went up front, made for great entertainment but they could not find the equaliser and Chertsey could not add a third goal, even with no keeper between the posts.

I had seen Cherstey away earlier in the season, and noticed their away support included some pensioners, all dressed like they had just left a Madness gig, the OAP Scooter club! Today there were even more of them, American Flying jackets DM boots and even one pork pie hat and all looked 65 plus!