Chertsey Town's 16-year-old striker Jack Mazzone came off the bench to salvage his side a point in a 2-2 draw against struggling Guildford City.
With 20 minutes left on the clock young Mazzone was the super-sub for Chertsey with a two goal haul after Guildford took an unlikely 2-0 lead.
His heroics spared the blushes of Chertsey's Combined Counties League current top scorer – John Pomroy, so often the saving grace for Chertsey after he missed a penalty to bring them back into the game.
Steven Day's team went into the match patched up, missing several players through injuries and suspensions including goalkeeper Liam Stone. However their woes were eased by the return from suspension of Andre Delisser.
Guildford City were the brighter of the two teams in the opening minutes, yet against the run of play Chertsey nearly took the lead from a powerful shot from Pomroy which was tipped over the bar by Guildford City goalkeeper Anthony Hall.
However, it was Guildford City who were the first to break the deadlock due to a controversial penalty decision. In his first game for Chertsey, Tommy Higgins was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area after the ball was pelted at him from close range. Higgins appeals that he was instinctively protecting his face fell on deaf ears, and Guildford's Ben Rayner slotted the penalty into the net.
Chertsey continued to press for an equaliser, and had two penalty appeals turned down by the referee, which frustrated the home supporters. The 2nd half started much like the 1st half finished, Chertsey dominating proceedings, and they were finally rewarded for their endeavours after Pomroy was pulled down in the box. The prolific Pomroy stepped up to take the penalty yet his kick was comfortably palmed away by Hall. Chertsey's bad luck continued on 65 minutes when Guildford City doubled their lead thanks to a 25 yard goal from Jamie King, it seemed Guildford were heading towards an unlikely victory.
However, Day's substitutions proved to be a master-stroke, with a tiring Guildford defence forced to face the youthful enthusiasm of Mazzone. Guildford's stubborn resistance was finally broken when a Kevin Lock cross intended for Pomroy was miscued by the striker yet fell nicely to the well placed Mazzone who slotted the ball away from a few yards out.
Much to the delight of the home supporters, Mazzone was again on target after a speculative lob into the area found the youngster, despite an acute angle to contend with, he chipped the ball into the far side of the net. Chertsey almost snatched a victory with Long yet the game ended in an deserved draw.
Chertsey Town next game is on Saturday against Dorking in the their first FA Vase game of the season.
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