Chertsey Town (1) 3 Flegg 39 Baxter 105 Rowe 117
Cray Valley (PM) (1) 1 Tomlin 36
After extra time, score at 90 minutes: 1-1
Combined Attendance: 42,962
Admission: £5 Senior
Programme: £5
Mileage: 100/7,682
Match Report
Firstly, with reference to Chertsey Town 3 v 1 Cray Valley PM. Also seated in the Cray Valley portion almost on the half way line courtesy of a £12.50 'block booking' ticket ordered through the club. Hardly surprising at the lack of atmosphere present as most of the support was either on loan from other Kentish clubs or those that had (hopefully) been swayed by the billboard that announced to the populace of Eltham that they a local team had reached Wembley and had an exceptional season winning the SCEFL Prem. You have to take into account that Cray Valley are one of the poorest supported teams in that division in an area where there simply too many clubs trying to attract too few few supporters. Given my fondness for the club, (I have seen them on 14 occasions this season a total more that any other club this season), this is a shame as the way that the club conducts itself does impress. One of the few disappointments of the day was that the club Twittermeister was not updating, though given that he is the chairman (and also one of the most inconspicuous money man of any club in any division, I thought that he was just a very enthusiastic official), and he was going 'to enjoy the day'.
It was a shame that watching Cray Valley for the 15th time during 18-19 did not bring the prize of a Wembley Vase win, but Chertsey were the better team over extra time of which there was a certain inevitability from the early exchanges which showed that there were virtually no difference in quality between the champions of two South East Level 5 divisions.
Extremely tight first half where both teams had the obligatory opportunities with the Cray Valley keeper Walker (one of the many aged's in both teams) pulling off a spectacular push over to deny a curling shot that was heading towards the top corner from Guentchev and at the opposite end Jupp between he posts for Chertsey managing to block a downward header from Lisbie.
Cray Valley in front just after half hour mark with Hickey's long ball down the left finding Tomlin who was able to cut in from the left and beat Jupp who had left his near post uncharacteristically unguarded. Given the closeness between the teams, the lead was very short lived with Guentchev's corner being met by a powerful downward header from Flegg which came back off the post and the same player reacted quickest to plant the rebound into the gaping net to level.
The second half was equally as closely contested, but from a possession perspective, Chertsey were slightly more efficient in utilising their share. For Cray Valley it was often a frustration of a slow build up leading to one touch too many or a cross from the other wise impressive Gayle not reaching it's intended target. The frustration though was met also by the likes of Binns and Guentchev whose mutual approach play for Chertsey promised more than what was delivered during the second period.
Chertsey would have been frustrated by the fact that a free header from Driver, which was one of the only genuine chances of the second half over the bar in the opening minutes of the half. The frustration though was replicated towards the end with Jupp pushing over a heading towards the top corner from Sains. The announcement of 5 minutes stoppage time saw a flurry of chances where the inevitable period of extra time looked as if it was going to be avoided, but Peacock sliced wide from close range. The period culminating with Edgar's shot from just inside the penalty area that rebounded back off the bar, with literally the last kick of the opening 90. On the balance of the two halves, it would have been desperately unfortunate for there have been a winner.
Overall it was extra time that was the determinant of the Vase travelling in a Surrey direction and the decisive moment being when Tunkaya mistimed a challenge on Guentchev on the left. from our angle it looked as if the offence took place fractionally outside the the area, the man in black who of course was much better positioned decided other wise awarding a penalty which Baxter converted to put Chertsey in front. It was from thereon that the collective tiredness of the Cray Valley players overwhelmed then and it was a virtual procession for Chertsey for the remaining minutes. They managed one more goal, an excellent crisply struck drive from Rowe but the margin of victory could have been greater if not for Walker pushing a Guentchev shot against the inside of the post. Little doubt that over the entire duration of the contest that Chertsey deserved their win.
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