Although time has virtually run out on Chertsey’s Combined Counties League championship challenge, the side showed no signs of giving up the fight with a comprehensive win over visitors Epsom & Ewell.

The afternoon also marked the departure of captain Steve Gibson who is moving to Tyneside. He deservedly received a standing ovation when substituted a minute from the end.

His contribution made to Chertsey’s cause, made over the past 105 matches, has been considerable and was shown again on the day as the defence shut out Epsom to set the foundation for the comfortable win.

But it was not just the right back position that took the accolades. Left back for the day Marcus Moody, was voted man of the match so it was little wonder that Epsom found it impossible to find a route through to the Chertsey goal.

Their number eleven, Andy Amfo-Brobbey, stationed wide on the right was a handful though, and looked the most likely to create their openings but was eventually frustrated and allowed himself to become too distracted in argument rather than burrowing through. Chertsey was presented with no such diversions as they steadily strengthened their grip on the encounter.

The gap may have been considerable by the end but it took almost a half hour before the opening goal and, the first real goal attempt by either side in the game, was created, but the moment was worth the wait.

In receiving the ball some 35 yards out with options to involve his team mates to either side, he opted for a direct shot; and what a shot it was!

Fired off high with plenty of vision for Paul Borg in goal to stop the attempt, the velocity and dip on the ball did for him and a micro second later, Chertsey took the lead.

Epsom & Ewell had their best chance of finding the net came before half time when a lofty free kick found Peter Solomon on his own but he planted the ball over the Chertsey cross bar from just eight yards.

The same location, but seven minutes after the turnaround and therefore with Epsom defending the woodwork and net, better success for the attacker ensued.

Dean Papali was the scorer as he fired the ball home after collecting a cross in from the right with the mobile Tom O’Regan who, as usual, provided well throughout the match from wide positions, from both sides of the park.

Papali was on the mark again soon after but this time his goal attempt, a header, hit the upright. Epsom’s most dangerous moment at this time was when Amofi-Brobbey was sent away but Liam Stone, with perfect awareness and timing, advanced just enough to block off the threat.

A Steve Tyson volley went over with Borg out of position as Chertsey continued to control events. Even so, Epsom conjured intermittent approaches to the Chertsey goal but with no great problem as when Stone comfortably plucked out a Robbie Burns shot to the top corner of the net.

But Town had the last say eight minutes from time, and appropriately it was O’Regan that was doing the talking, with his boots. Another unstoppable run in cutting in from the right, set up a shot with his left foot from a dozen yards that Borg had no chance of stopping.

But it was a bitter sweet end to the game that was signed off with the Gibson farewell but with Chertsey honing in for runners up spot in the league.