HAART OF KENT COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION 1

Chipstead 3 – 0 Otford United

Chipstead completed a league double over neighbours Otford United on Saturday with a 3 – 0 result, a scoreline which flattered the hosts.

Otford started brightly and their quick closing down gave Chipstead little time to settle on the ball. However, it was Chipstead who broke the deadlock on 16 minutes, an inswinging Adam Steward corner being headed home at the near post by Marcus Heddon. Otford continued to have most of the possession but were let down in the final third.

The second half mirrored the first with Otford having the edge in terms of possession, but Chipstead looking the more threatening the longer the game went on, with their pace on the break. The hosts netted a decisive 2^nd goal on 70 minutes, when pressure high up the pitch paid off, Liam Smith unselfishly playing in Tom Wilken, who netted from 10 yards. Otford went close to reducing the deficit almost immediately afterwards, but were denied by a superb save from Leigh Hawkes. Chipstead’s Billy Chapman almost netted with a spectacular ‘Beckhamesque’ effort soon after from just inside his half, which clipped the top of the bar. A calamitous 3^rd goal sealed Otford’s fate late on; a misplaced back pass bouncing over the head of keeper Jordan Busby, allowing Liam Smith a simple tap in.

This week, Chipstead will need to be at their best if they are to get anything from their visit to league leaders Metrogas.