Seeking Bouncebackability

Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South

Chertsey Town v Tiverton Town

Saturday, December 28 . 3pm . Alwyns Lane

WHEN Love Islander Reuben Collins failed in his attempt to hook the ball back before it clearly went over the line during Chertsey’s visit to us earlier in the season, it condemned the Yellows to defeat because of an officiating error. These miscarriages of justice even themselves out through a season and, so many times, fate is back in the hands of the wronged team.

On Boxing Day, Tiverton had enough chances to win a number of football games. However, they failed to interest the scorers and two of the three goals they conceded were of their own making.

Rob Dray’s men need to dust themselves off and get back out there, knowing that opportunities will present themselves again and, if taken, they can readdress the balance.

Chertsey are giving a very good account of themselves in their first season in this standard of football. Top half of the table and victors on Boxing Day against local rivals Hanwell, it is their bouncebackability that makes them a very competitive animal in the division. They responded to a 4-0 home loss at home to Havant & Waterlooville with that Hanwell win; mentality is needed just as much as footballing ability at our level.

A masterstroke for the Surrey side was the pre-season signing of Jack Mazzone, a player who has an enviable scoring record in this calibre of football. His 52 goals in just over 100 games for Met Police over four campaigns, including the COVID seasons, are notable figures and this term’s return has seen him notch 17 goals from 18 games.

Denied: Reuben Collins' controversial clearance denied Yellows' earlier in the season

Having spent six seasons with Hayes & Yeading, six with Chesham and two with Beaconsfield, 35-year-old midfielder Toby Little is a vital component in the Curfews’ squad. Woking and Wealdstone are also former clubs, as are league rivals Basingstoke.

Little is amongst a strong roster of players in the midfield department. Louis Birch and Luke Robertson are other shrewd signings; the combative Birch and the creative Robertson were a real force for former Southern Premier League South outfit Met Police over five seasons.

Manager Mark Harper has put together a squad full of experience at this level. Left-back Alex Fisher also played for four seasons at Met Police and was part of their much heralded backline, while two players have also made the short trip from Hanwell, a team with which Chertsey share a strong football rivalry, to join the Curfews in recent seasons. Callum Duffy, who is in his second campaign with the Alwyn Lane side, featured in 11 seasons for the Geordies, playing more than 300 games for them, and the experienced defender is joined by Issac Olorenfemi, also a defender, who was pretty much an ever present at Hanwell, making more than 90 appearances for them over two seasons. The much travelled Olorenfemi has good pedigree and was at Bracknell when the season started.

For Tivvy, it is imperative that they put recent disappointments behind them. It will be interesting to see if changes are made to the 11 that started against Taunton. Jeff Forkuo is available for selection and all the unused substitutes from Thursday should be fresh.

Football is not just about executing a game plan. Additionally, you cannot win matches without scoring or without concentrating and keeping things tight defensively.

Can the Yellows’ find some bouncebackability?