HAART OF KENT COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION 1

Fleetdown United  2 - 1  Chipstead

Chipstead paid the penalty for a disappointing first half performance as they returned empty handed from their visit to Dartford on Saturday.

A slow start and a lack of communication inside the first 5 minutes saw Chipstead concede a soft opening goal. The village side came back and Marcus Heddon was denied an equalizer on 20 minutes when Fleetdown’s keeper blocked his effort when he was through one on one. Heddon was then hauled down as he skipped past his marker in the area only for the referee to wave play on. Heddon was again in the action soon after when he shot hurriedly wide from the edge of the area. Another defensive lapse on 40 minutes resulted in a 2^nd goal for the hosts. A well flighted ball in from the right was headed into low into the corner; although keeper Leigh Hawkes produced a brilliant stop, the hosts were first to react, sweeping the ball into the net.

A couple of enforced changes at half time seemed to have the desired effect as Chipstead got on top after the break. However, luck was not with the village side, as they struck the woodwork on 3 occasions, with Fleetdown’s keeper also producing a number of stunning saves. Chipstead finally broke through on 80 minutes, Tom Wilken smashing home from 10 yards. The village side almost leveled in the closing minutes, when Herve Zaha broke down the right to whip in a great ball, which Liam Smith got his head to, only to see his effort narrowly shave the far post. This coming week, Chipstead will be hoping for a better start when the travel to play University of Kent in what should be another difficult match, KO 2pm.