Vanarama National League South
25/10/22
Match report by Allan Mitchell
After two successive defeats it was important for the Tudors to get something out of this fixture, with Chippenham sitting just below them in the table but level on points.
It has to be said it was a poor game with both sides looking nervous and short on that final pass in that last third of the pitch.
Chippenham played some good passing football throughout and Hemel had to work hard to just get the ball back at times but the Bluebirds just lacked that bit of quality up front.
Craig King came to the Tudors rescue just before the half hour mark when Harvey Greenslade managed to break clear of the Hemel backline, with just King to beat he looked odds on favourite to break the deadlock but the Hemel keeper did superbly, closing him down quickly and saving well.
The only other moment of note in a dour first period came when Chippenham’s Cane Bradbury curled his free kick over the wall but once again King saved well.
The second half followed in much the same way as the first with both sides wasting good possession with a poor decision or final pass and it looked odds on to be heading for a stalemate.
There was a moment when Josh Castiglione did superbly well tracking back as Chippenham made a rare foray into the Hemel area, just managing to get a foot in to block Greenslade as he went to shoot.
In 94th minute, Hemel were awarded a corner, they had created a period of pressure as the minutes ticked down but they hadn’t really given Will Henry in the Chippenham goal too much to worry about. That all changed as the corner came in and Kory Roberts rose above the keeper to head home from close range to give the Tudors the points. With just 20 seconds left on the clock it really was the perfect time to score,
There was one worry towards the end of the game when Brooklyn Ilunga had to be helped off the field and he looked in a great deal of pain. There was a fear he may have broken a rib or two but he was reported to have been feeling better after the game. The injury will have to be assessed and Manager Mark Jones will be hoping it won’t be as serious as everyone first feared as Ilunga has been a very effective player for the Tudors since his arrival on loan from MK Dons.
At the end of the game Jones conceded that it had been a difficult evening and a hard watch but he was delighted to come away with the win especially with table toppers and big spending sides, Ebbsfleet and second placed Havant and Waterlooville coming up in the next two fixtures. Jones saying they will be working hard on Thursday night in training and will be giving their all in both games.
Hemel: Craig King; Kory Roberts, Jernade Meade, Jack Westbrook (Charlie Barker) Josh Lelan,Bayley Brown (Harris O’Connor) Dara Dada (Ogo Obi) Dominic Morgan-Griffiths, Josh Castiglione © Luke Holness, Brooklyn Ilunga. Subs not used: Godfrey Poku, Jordan Greenidge.
Tudors Man of the Match: Craig King
Attendance 531.