Just like Wimborne, Chertsey were promoted to this division at the end of the 2023-24 season: Tim Sills’ Magpies won SL Division One South while Mark Harper’s Curfews ran away with the Isthmian South Central title. Last season Wimborne finished 10th with 57 points; Chertsey finished 16th with 10 points fewer, just one point more than relegated Winchester in 19th. Interestingly, The Curfews amassed more points on the road (W8 D1) than they did at their Alwyns Lane home (W6 D4).
This season Chertsey are currently sitting 11th with a W4 D4 L5 GF 15 GA 14 record. That goals against figure is the joint second-meanest in the division – which team has the best? – Wimborne Town, of course! Analysing Chertsey’s record, we’ll see that, like last season they’ve gained more points away (W3 D1) than at home (W1 D3). Player-coach Toby Little stepped into the manager’s seat about a month ago, and his first game in charge was an excellent 2-0 win at Taunton. The other two away wins were at Tiverton (2-0) on the opening day, and Hanwell (2-1). Their solitary home league three-pointer was against Havant & Waterlooville (2-0).
In the FA competitions, all of Chertsey’s games have been at Alwyns Road. In the FA Cup Thame (2-1) and Cray Valley (2-3); in the FA Trophy a 1-2 loss to Tilbury. That defeat meant that The Curfews didn’t have a match on Saturday. But they did play twice in the week before, two 1-1 home draws with first Bracknell, then Sholing.
A man to keep an eye on, and a familiar name to Wimborne supporters from his time at Met Police, is centre-forward Jack Mazzone, who bagged a brace in this fixture almost exactly a year ago. Chertsey won 3-1 that day, in the first-ever meeting between the Clubs. In the reverse fixture in March, Will Fletcher and Matty Burrows scored in the second-half to overturn Toby Little’s opener. This season Mazzone has scored five, the same number as team-mate Ollie McCoy.
After consecutive league wins over Yate, 4-1 at the Wyatt Homes Stadium, and Dorchester, 2-0 at The Avenue, Wimborne, thanks to Max Bustamante’s 92nd minute goal and Cameron Plain’s ‘man-of-the-match’ performance in goal, eventually overcame Portchester to progress to Round Two of the FA Trophy for only the second time in the Club’s history. In the league, Wimborne are sitting 5th, with a W6 D3 L3 GF 22 GA 12 record. At New Cuthbury their league record is W4 D2. In league and cup matches, Will Fletcher and Lewis Williams are joint leading scorers with seven each, Joe Smith has five, and Max Bustamante, with a goal in each of the last two games, has four. Another possible attacking option is Joe Ryan who has returned to training.
The scene is set for a competitive league game with two miserly defences facing two potent attacking forces. So wrap up warm, come on down, and get behind Tim’s team – after all, it’s what Saturday afternoons were made for!
Match Info:
- As there’s limited parking at the ground in Ainsley Road BH21 2FU, if you can travel by bus, bike, or on foot it would be really helpful. However, if you do decide to travel by car and park on the nearby streets, please do so respectfully to our neighbours.
- The Morebus no.13 runs along Leigh Road from and to The Square in the town centre with stops at the bottom of Parmiter Road, a five-minute stroll from the ground.
- There is a bike park near the players’ entrance.
- A packed printed programme will be on sale.
- Admission: Adults £14, Concessions £8, U18s £5, U13s £2.
- Weather Forecast: Sunny intervals; 12oC; 50% chance of rain.
