Match Preview | Chertsey Town
- Tiverton Town Media Team
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
Tiverton Town v Chertsey Town
Saturday 9th August 3pm
The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium
The waiting is almost over and the curtain is ready to go up on a new season ! It will be a much changed Yellows who will be arriving at the ground on matchday for the opening day fixture against Chertsey though I'm sure it won't be long before the emergence of new favourite players for the fans.
Many of Asa Hall and Steve Orchard's freshly constructed squad have staked claims for a starting place on Saturday in our first competitive game of the 2025/26 campaign and all will be revealed, just before kick off.
Tivvy were unbeaten in pre-season and considering that this is virtually a new team, the signs are encouraging. Although let’s not get ahead of ourselves. A true judgement is hard to make, with sides fitness varying, depending on how far they were into their training and the trialist factor.
Still those that attended the Truro game saw a very accomplished performance that resulted in a draw versus the newly promoted National League side. This is a busy, energetic, hungry group of players that has a youthful look, but complimented by the experience of goalkeeper George Burton, defenders Dean Moxey and Toby Down, along with Player/Manager Asa Hall in our midfield.
Chertsey played six games in the lead up to the beginning of the new campaign. A 1-0 loss against Combined Counties outfit Virginia Water(Western League standard) on July 12th was followed by another game against Combined Counties opponent’s Fleet Town. The Curfews’ won that game 3-0, away from home.
A notable goalless draw versus National League South, Hampton & Richmond was achieved in their next Pre Season fixture in front of their own fans on July 22nd. Three days later they were back in action on home soil, going down 2-0 to National League team, Sutton United.
Chertsey rounded off pre-season with a 4-3 away win against step four opposition Westfield and a 3-1 defeat on the road against step 3 side Chatham (our level). A mixed set of score-lines there, but I’m sure the Curfews’ will be ready when they face The Yellows.
Manager Josh Gallagher’s key retention of star striker Jack Mazzone could yet prove to be his best bit of business in the off season. The 25 goals from the former Met Police marksman’(only in football terms), were crucial to our visitors, whose survival was only assured on the last day of the season, like Tiverton.
Although the 2025/26 version of Chertsey that manager Gallagher has assembled is on paper a tougher proposition and two players with a Bracknell connection have been brought in. 35 year old inspirational, central midfielder Ashley Lodge was at National South team Chesham last term, after being a strong leader on the pitch for Bracknell, starring in the FA Cup exit to Ipswich Town in a televised game in November 2022.
Former team mate Central Defender Darryl Harrison who was another recruitment, is an imposing player with good defensive abilities.
There is a stack of seasoned performers at this level in Chertsey’s ranks. Defender Alex Fisher and midfielder Louis Birch were once part of the formidable Met Police side that often challenged for promotion.
New Signing, full back Jerry Wiltshire joins from National South side Hampton & Richmond. As a teenager he was at QPR, before starting his senior career in America and is another with proven pedigree having played also for Maidenhead, Hayes & Yeading and Walton Casuals.
Left sided Toby Little, now 36 has bundles of previous experience and knowhow for others to call on. This will be his nineteenth season in senior football and he was a big player for Chesham. The skilful operator additionally spent significant time with Hayes & Yeading and Beaconsfield.
Eoin Casey Is 33 and started his playing career as a striker, but it’s his display’s since dropping back into midfield or defence that made him a mainstay at Chesham. This will be his second campaign with the Curfews.
Dangerous Nigerian forward Gary Abisogun has returned to the club after Five years away, going on to play with National South side Slough Town and Bracknell. Popular frontman Wayne Ridgley is back as well, after being part of Walton & Hersham’s unsuccessful promotion push.
It will be just over a fortnight since we entertained Truro, although I’m certain Asa Hall and Steve Orchard will have been putting the finishing touches to their preparations, on the training field.
This will be their first full season in charge and they will be hoping to build on a fantastic set of results that maintained The Yellows’ status in the division. Captaining the side will be the impressive Toby Down and leading the line will be the exciting Dan Koita.
Get yourself down to The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium, to support the lads.
