Tuesday 11th February 2025.         Southern League, Premier Division South.

Chertsey Town 1 Walton & Hersham 2.

Swans scored yet another late, late goal to win the local derby and keep their four point lead over Havant & Waterlooville in 5th place in the table. It also took them level on points with 4th placed Gloucester City, but with a game in hand. It looked like they would have to settle for a share of the spoils with their neighbours, until Johl Powell scored his second goal of the evening in the third minute of added-on time to snatch another last gasp victory. Chances had been few and far between in a match that Swans dominated, while not being at their best against a home side that defended deep and in numbers.
The Curfews were determined to put an end to a four match losing run, and went close to catching Swans out on the break on a couple of occasions. Swans themselves were intent on keeping their recent run of success going, and looked to be on the way when they took a 34th minute lead, only to be pulled back by a goal scored from a corner just before half-time. They can never be ruled out of the win however, and a corner of their own resulted in the late goal that secured another three points.
Fielding an unchanged side they were fortunate not to go behind after just three minutes. Jack Mazzone found Ollie Knight clear on the left, and his low ball in was met by Ollie McCoy at the near-post, but Swans’ keeper Jos Barker made a fine block with his legs. Chertsey had made a lively start, and went close again after twelve minutes. A ball down the left by Knight tried to find Mazzone, who clearly pulled Eoin Bolger back with an arm around the neck, allowing Conor Lee to get clear. Barker came out, but failed to kick clear, and Lee was left with an open goal as he made a run to the left edge of the box. The angle had become very tight however, and his low shot passed just wide of the far-post.
After an uncertain start Swans began to settle, dominating possession, and they went close to taking the lead after 24 minutes. Thabo Kuaho found Kai Jennings on the left, and he held off a couple of defenders by the corner-flag before laying the ball back to Mason Obeng. Obeng cut in to the corner of the box to get in a right foot shot that brought a good save from home keeper Paul McCarthy, diving to his left. Jennings then almost got in when Bolger played a long ball down the middle. Swans had a free-kick in a promising position just outside the edge of the box on the left after Dawid Rogalski was fouled by Reuben Collins, the Chertsey player picking up the evening’s first yellow card. Elliott Bolton just failed to pick out Obeng with the kick, and the ball found the gloves of McCarthy.
Swans soon took the lead however, after 34 minutes. Bolger found Jennings in the middle 45 yards out, and he played a terrific through ball to Powell that completely took out the Chertsey back-line. Powell got to the edge of the box to slot the ball low into the right corner past the advancing keeper.
With the half entering the final five minutes Chertsey won two corners on the left in quick succession, the second of which was somewhat fortunate, but brought the equaliser against the run of play. Wayne Ridgely swung the ball in to the near-post, where Barker was crowded out as Callum Duffy rose to head home.
Swans made a good start to the second-half. Some clever play by Ralph Vigrass on the right led to Jennings setting up Bolton on the corner of the box, but his shot cleared the far, top corner. More good play by Vigrass got him to the byeline on the right, and he did well to keep the ball in play before hooking it across, but it was just inches too high for Obeng coming in at the far-post.
Chertsey were content to sit back, getting men behind the ball and hoping to catch Swans on the break.
Swans made a double change with just over 20 minutes remaining, with Nana Owusu and Hakeem Sandah replacing Obeng and Vigrass, as they had done in the previous match. Kuaho then received treatment for an injury, before being replaced by Anis Nuur.
With ten minutes remaining Swans were guilty of losing the ball in midfield and Mazzone was left with a clear run, but Junior Eccleston read the danger and got across to make a superb tackle.
Swans immediately made their fourth change, with Alex Body coming on for Rogalski.
The home side had come out of their shell, and they went close again. Mazzone nodded the ball through to William Montague, who looked offside as he got behind Eccleston on the edge of the box, The Chertsey substitute lobbed the ball over the advancing Barker, but Eccleston was again the saviour, getting back into the 6 yard-box to head away. Chertsey then had a free-kick on the left, and Lee sent the ball across goal.
With five minutes remaining Swans went close to regaining the lead. Sandah picked up the ball on the right before playing an excellent through pass that sent Powell clear into the right of the box, but McCarthy came out and just got a touch to deflect the shot wide.
A minimum of four minutes of added-on time were indicated, and with the third of them being played Swans won the match. Owusu forced a corner on the left, and when Jennings delivered the kick Joey Jones got his head to the ball at the far-post, and when it was headed away Nuur met it on the volley. McCarthy was on his line to push the ball on to his left post, but Powell was there to knock it over the line for a sensational last gasp winner.

Swans’ Team: Jos Barker, Elliott Bolton, Thabo Kuaho (Anis Nuur 75’), Joey Jones, Junior Eccleston, Eoin Bolger, Ralph Vigrass (Hakeem Sandah 69’), Mason Obeng (Nana Owusu 69’), Dawid Rogalski (Alex Body 81’), Johl Powell, Kai Jennings. Sub. not used: Lucas Defise. Scorer: Powell (34’ & 90+3’).
Chertsey Town Team: McCarthy, Brown, Fisher, Birch, Duffy, Collins, Lee, Ridgley (Turner 72’), Mazzone, McCoy (Montague 72’), Knight (Little 80’). Subs. not used: Milner-Smith, McCauley. Scorer: Duffy (42’). Cautions: Collins (foul), Duffy (dissent), Birch (foul), Mazzone (foul).