Chishill survive late fightback to earn three points

GREAT Chishill survived a late fightback on Saturday to emerge victorious against an organised Ashdon Villa side.

After a sloppy opening 15 minutes on a muddy pitch that hindered both teams’ passing, it was Chishill who took the lead. Villa had already squandered several early chances, but it was Gareth Edey, in his first start of the season following injury, who kept his cool, shrugging off his marker to slot home Lee Smith’s incisive through ball.

Minutes later it was two, as Edey received a pass from Louis Boulter and skillfully worked himself space in the box before rifling into the top corner.

The visitors looked like comfortable winners early in the second half, when Oli Gardiner pulled the ball back for Jonathan Drury to steer a shot low into the far corner. But Villa’s spirit was not broken and they pulled a goal back with 20 minutes left.

Chishill had opportunities to kill the game off, with Edey going closest, hitting the bar with another fine effort. But a late Villa penalty, after Dan Hicks had fouled, meant Chishill had to cling on in the last few minutes.

Great Chishill: Knight, Hicks, Saward, Bennett, Gardiner; Guerrero, Smith, E Drury, Boulter, Edey, J Drury. Subs: Jackson, Miller.