North Greenford United 2 Chertsey Town 2

Tuesday night's Combined Counties Premier Division clash was the first big test for both sides as each have more than just latent title ambitions.

Both could be pleased with the football produced but it was Chertsey Town that perhaps ‘won’ the exchange, even though points were shared.

It looked highly likely that Chertsey would end the game in high spirits with a narrow victory but hosts North Greenford United snatched an equaliser seven minutes into stoppage time and, although looked the happiest on leaving the arena, might duly reflect that Chertsey showed greater potential for the long term despite the home side retaining top spot in the table.

Ollie Treacher was unavailable but Dean Inman returned after being cup tied.

Otherwise, the Chertsey line up looked well settled, in contrast to the constant upheavals of last season.

This did not stop North Greenford from looking the better outfit in the opening 20 minutes but only had a couple of unconvincing pokes at goal to show for their prominence.

Chertsey came back into the game and won three corners in short time.

This proved an advantage Phyric proportions for the last of the trio effectively set up the opening goal at the other end of the park when goalkeeper Gary Jallow punched the cross well clear of his lines.

Within an eye blink, the ball was hooked further on to arrive from a high altitude at the edge of the Chertsey penalty area but was not cut out allowing Ricky Pither to loop the ball over Liam Stone for a well taken shot for his side’s 17th-minute lead.

Chertsey came back strongly from the setback that just saw them fall behind for the first time in the current season.

A goal came out of the revival in the 32nd minute when the hard working Kevin Lock was put a way on the left flank.

He made progress and in the same movement delivered the ball to the far side where Steve Goddard had taken position ten yards out.

From there, he too advanced and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Two minutes later Lock was again in the thick of it and with the goal almost at his mercy was fouled by a desperate Alfie Patterson tackle.

John Pomroy took the penalty kick but Jallow guessed its direction correctly and palmed away the low strike to keep the scores level.

Town’s grip became even tighter as the half time break loomed, to the extent that near on 90 per cent possession was enjoyed.

The pressure failed to produce a goal but it buoyed the visitors spirits for the second half contest. Play was more even after the break but Chertsey had the edge.

Any echoes of last term’s claustrophobic play was never evident, even if good approach play was not always turned into goalward strikes.

North Greenford created a couple of chances with balls across Chertsey’s goalmouth but none made any connection.

Andy Weir came on for Andy Crossley in midfield on 64 minutes.

Nine minutes later he laid a ball through to Lock who launched another telling cross into the heart of the home defence.

The ball was met and volleyed backwards over his head by Pomroy to spectacularly put Chertsey deservedly ahead for the first time.

The clock ticked agonisingly slow for Chertsey Town who were not exactly hanging on for they looked relative comfortable in defence despite high quality crosses from the wings, a feature executed by both sides, to keep Liam Stone busy.

His handling was assured but was not able to stop the equaliser arriving with the last attack of the extended game when the ball skewed awkwardly off the boot of Matt Holley and by ill-fortune flew straight at Pither, who lobbed the ball into the net in similar fashion to his earlier goal, levelling the score in one of the more entertaining and skilful matches likely to be seen this season in the Combined Counties League.

In other news, Chertsey's FA Cup clash with Metropolitan Police has been brought forward one day to try to generate a larger attendance.

It will now be played on Friday, August 28 (7.45pm). Any replay will take place on the following Tuesday, also at 7.45pm.