Earlier this season, Chertsey Town hit five goals past Mole Valley SCR on their own ground in the FA Cup.

The same two sides met at the same venue just five weeks later but this time in this Combined Counties League encounter, there was never any danger that Chertsey would run away with the result in the same manner. However, the points were comfortably collected with a goal in each half sufficient to underline the visitor’s superiority.

The home side showed that they are good value for their top half of the table position but their attack was just not quite strong enough to overcome Chertsey’s proven pedigree at their level that has now, so far, only conceded eight goals in twelve outings.

In the first half a lack of belief resulted in a hurried and ineffective Mole Valley attack giving way to long range shots after the break but closer efforts towards the end. By then, Chertsey had established their two goal cushion and little prospect of a late upset.

It took 12 minutes before the first opening of the game arrived with a Dean Papali shot off a long throw being blocked. Chertsey was good at blocking off the midfield with Steve Tyson dominant in the air but distribution out of defence was wayward. The referee was intolerant of almost any contact and it was from another soft free kick awarded that Town took the lead.

The dead ball was lifted from the right flank into the centre by Tom O’Regan where Jack Francis raced in with a n unchallenged bullet header to create the 34th minute lead for Chertsey. Controversy erupted as the interval approached when Marcus Moody looked to be tripped in the penalty area but was given a yellow card for diving instead.

The first strike at goal after the break came on 55 minutes at distance from Liam Holden for Mole valley’s first shot on target which Craig Bradshaw covered with ease.

Eleven minutes later came the next goal attempt which on this occasion paid dividends when a half volley from Matt Baxter, newly arrived off the bench, was parried by Anthony Guiney in goal. The ball ran to Papali who had no difficulty in thumping it into the onion bag.

Valley came closest to replying soon after when Matt Kilty cut in but a very sharp Bradshaw save, down to his left smothered the ball. O’Regan, at the other end, made a similar move but his strike from greater distance was blocked off. Tyson had unsuccessful two bites in front of goal as the game opened up towards the end.

Bradshaw did well again to slap down a swerving 15 yard strike from Nehemiah Adams as a game Mole Valley continued to battle away but it was all in vain for them against tighter Chertsey side but the team that will have to be better focused to survive their imminent FA Cup tie against Blue Square opposition, especially when coming out of defence with the ball.

Chertsey’s next three games: Sept 21 Bookham (h), 25 Chelmsford City FA Cup (a), 29 Guildford City (a).