Date: 9th October 2005

Scorers:
Invicta: Willers (5, 53), Leigh (18)
Chipstead B: Moore (7, 46), Derwish (35)

Half Time: 2 - 2

Man of the Match: Chris Hermitage - a few candidates this week with Jack Freke maintaining his high standard since joining in the summer and Tim Hinson with his first match in the starting line up. However, the MoM went to Chris for some excellent link play with his forward partner Tom Willers and the creator of a number of opportunities for his team mates throughout the game.

Invicta under 16s, out to maintain their 100% start to this campaign, entertained Surrey based Chipstead on a glorious Sunday morning at Swanmead. Invicta were up against a team with whom they have had many competitive encounters in previous seasons, often coming off second best, and were determined to show they were top of the league on merit.

An excellent game ensued with both teams competing for every ball but doing their utmost to get the ball down and play the ball on the deck. Chipstead had the brighter start, but after Invicta’s first attack found themselves a goal down when Hermitage dropped short and a fine piece of control on the turn allowed him to thread a ball through to Willers. Although his first effort was well saved, Willers netted the return off the inside of the post on 5 minutes.

Chipstead responded almost immediately when an Invicta goal kick was returned by the away defence and Moore slipped through the Invicta back line to slot home a good finish against the advancing Poore on 7 mins to make it 1-1.

Leigh and Barnett were taking a while to settle in the middle of the Invicta defence and Jack Freke was kept busy by the width down the Chipstead right, but showed both his speed and composure in dealing with the danger.

A short Invicta corner on 15 mins saw Mason and Parsons combine and find Leigh at the near post but his flick brushed the outside of the post. Shortly after good work by Hermitage set up Thompson but he shot wide of the target.

Invicta regained the lead on 18 mins when Willers caused problems from a Mason free kick and Leigh put away a very neat header in the top corner to make it 2-1.

The game continued to ebb and flow and Josh Poore, in for the injured Kinderman, was required to be very alert on a number of occasions to come off his line and clear the danger. But he could do nothing about a Chipstead strike on 25 mins that cannoned off the bar before Thompson cleared. Invicta should have gone further ahead when Willers shook off his defender and squared the ball to Hermitage but his strike went over from 12 yards.

Invicta were to pay for that miss as Chipstead continued to threaten and when the home defence failed to clear with 3 attempts they were punished by a Derwish right foot shot into the far corner on 35 mins.

At half time Phillips replaced Parsons in the centre of midfield in a game that was set for more goals in the second period.

On 46 mins a pass over the top saw Moore hit his second with a cool lob over the advancing Poore to give the visitors the lead. Invicta were not giving up on this one and within 7 mins hit the equaliser when Teddy played Willers in and although the keeper did well to parry his first shot, Willers nudged out Hermitage to claim his second of the game.

Chances fell at both ends with Chipstead missing a golden opportunity to go ahead, whilst in the last 5 minutes both Willers and Mason blasted wide when a side foot into the empty net would have surely given Invicta their fourth win in as many games.

It was a strong finish from Invicta as they pressed for the winner but credit is due to both sides for a very entertaining and competitive match played in a sporting manner that would have been cruel on either team not to have taken something from the game.

Well done to Colin Jenner for refereeing in a manner that allowed the game to flow in energy sapping conditions.

Next week, home vs. Horley Town KO 10.30am Swanmead.