Chertsey Town 2, Badshot Lea 1

A LATE winner deep into stoppage time broke brave Badshot Lea’s hearts on Tuesday night in a game that had it all.

A glancing header by Jake Baxter ensured Chertsey Town moved back to the top of the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League – and that Lea went home with nothing.

Baxter’s goal in the third minute of stoppage time completed a cruel turnaround for Lea after the impressive Dale Binns had smashed home an equaliser ten minutes from time to cancel out Connor Close’s first-half header after Armani Bonsu had misjudged a through ball.

But that didn’t really tell the full story of an absorbing match on a soggy night at Alwyns Lane, with both goalkeepers forced to make stunning one-handed reflex saves while a melee broke out after Lea had a strong penalty appeal turned down after Herbert appeared to have been brought down at the death.

“Max (Herbert) turned his man and he tripped him. It was a penalty,” said Baggies boss Gavin Smith, who was forced to drift onto the pitch with assistant boss Dave Ford to calm things down after plenty of pushing and shoving in the centre circle which resulted in under-pressure referee Rachel Marlow issuing three yellow cards.

It was an untidy finish to a fascinating game, with Lea manfully defending their 15th-minute lead after Close had converted Herbert’s free kick down the right – and it looked for long periods that it could well be enough.

“I’m disappointed for the lads that it happened like that,” said Smith. “It was heartbreaking to put so much effort in and then come away with nothing. We deserved a point.”

Chertsey, who have scored eight goals in second-half stoppage time so far this season to either rescue a point or win a game, showed their quality in the first half, led by the tricky Binns and Sam Murphy, but often over played with a pass too many when a shot at goal may have brought them greater rewards.

Yet it was arguably a moment of brilliance at the other end from Curfews goalkeeper Nick Jupp ten minutes before half time that proved to be the game changer, as he showed lightning reflexes to turn a header from his own central defender over his own crossbar to stop his side going 2-0 down.

“You talk about key moments, and when it’s 1-0 the next goal can often be vital because it can kill off a game,” said Smith, whose side also hit the crossbar while Farnborough’s Harry Cooksley, who was playing his last game for the Baggies before returning to his parent club, led the line superbly and was a handful for the Chertsey back four all night.

Lea’s own back four, shored up by two players patrolling just in front of them, fought to the bitter end to keep Chertsey’s attacks at bay, not least Bonsu who made some crucial clearances in the second half.

“I’ve come away disappointed but there are a lot of positives to take from the game. I can’t knock the effort and I am never going to be disappointed with a defeat when the lads give everything,” said Smith, who was delighted to see the return of a high work rate and desire after a strangely flat performance in the 3-0 defeat at Spelthorne last time out.

On Saturday, Badshot Lea host rock-bottom Walton & Hersham at Krooner Park, and Smith is looking for more of the same. “Saturday’s game is massive because we need to distance ourselves from them (Walton & Hersham) and we will drum it into the players on Thursday (at training) and on Saturday that they will have to show the same commitment and effort, and if they do we will get what we deserve.”

Badshot Lea: Clement, Blake, Francis, Bonsu, Close (Blackie 75), Flanighan, Ford (Bell 82), Lloyd, Cooksley, Thripp, Herbert. Subs (not used): Pilgrim.