HAART OF KENT COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION 1

Coney Hall  1 – 2  Chipstead

Chipstead had to dig deep on Saturday to come away from their visit to mid-table Coney Hall with all 3 points.

Chipstead found themselves on the back foot straight from the kick off, as they struggled to get a foothold in the match against a hard working Coney Hall, who quickly closed down the visitors every time they got the ball. Chipstead were first to strike totally against the run of play on the half hour mark. The impressive Marcus Heddon broke down the right to whip a low ball into the middle where Adam Steward was on hand to knock home from close range. The hosts bounced back soon after, a Chipstead corner being cleared to their midfield player who ran the length of the pitch unchallenged before striking the bar with a ferocious shot from 25 yards out, the ball rebounding to their striker who slipped the ball past keeper Leigh Hawkes. With it looking like both teams going in level at the break, Chipstead again broke with Heddon on 43 minutes, Steward again finding the finish after Coney’s keeper had spilled Heddon’s cross.  

A half time switch saw Chipstead dominate after the break, with Tom Wilken netting a 3^rd with a brilliant strike from 25 yards. However, a controversial sending off 5 minutes later saw Chipstead reduced to 10 men. A soft penalty on 65 minutes saw Coney half the deficit with a 2^nd goal from the spot. Although Coney pressed hard for an equalizer, Chipstead retained their composure to see out the game and take all 3 points. The visitors could have increased their lead near the end, going close with a couple of half chances. In a good all round team performance, Liam Smith and James Porter stood out along with man of the match Marcus Heddon.

This week, the 1sts face a tough test when they travel to Dartford to take on an in-form Fleetdown United, KO 2-00pm.