Chalford title bid jolted by Dursley (From Stroud News and Journal)

Chalford title bid jolted by Dursley

Chalford 2, Dursley Town 2 CHALFORD'S pursuit of the Northern Senior League Division Two title suffered a severe jolt as they were held to a 2-2 home draw by a dour Dursley side on Saturday.

On a hard dry, bumpy pitch that made ball control something of a lottery, Chalford had more of the play and created the better chances. But a dogged Dursley side refused to buckle and fought back to share the points thanks to a 71st minute equaliser from impressive defender Rich Crowcombe.

Second in the table, two points behind leaders Whitecroft, Chalford knew they had to win this clash to keep the pressure on their rivals and they started off in confident style, pinning Dursley back in their own half in the opening ten minutes.

Striker John Peacock had a great chance to put them in front when he raced on to a through ball on the right of the box, but his low cross-shot flew inches wide of the far post with keeper Phil Nash well beaten.

Nash was well placed to clasp an acute angled shot from midfielder Jim Wormington as Dursley fought to keep the home side at bay, but then in the 12th minute, from their first foray into Chalford territory, the visitors took the lead.

Awarded a free-kick towards the left of the Chalford box, Dursley played it short to David Trinder and his instant low cross found Ben Nichol homing in at the far post to fire a firm shot past home keeper Jason King into the roof of the net.

Another low cross from Chris Wilkins caused momentary panic in the home defence before King grasped the loose ball, but in the 20th minute gone Chalford swept forward to gain a slightly fortunate equaliser.

Striker Ollie Melsome outpaced the Dursley defence in pursuit of a high through ball and although he miscued his initial shot it cannoned off the advancing Nash and bobbled towards goal and Melsome forced the ball home despite a desperate lunge by the keeper.

Dave Legge might have given Chalford the lead soon after but hooked his shot just over the bar and then substitute keeper Steve Richards replaced King who was struggling with a hernia problem.

But after a period of scrappy play Chalford finally went in front with a superb 36th minute goal.

There appeared to be little danger when Dursley lost possession just inside the Chalford half, but a quick pass down the left touchline put Peacock in the clear.

He still had a lot to do, but as he cut inside he suddenly unleashed a low piledriver of a shot on the run which left Nash rooted to the spot as it scorched inside the near upright.

Dursley responded with a long shot that nearly caught Richards too far off his line and had appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Norman Taylor after Nichol went down in the box under pressure from Paul Webster.

Legge then volleyed just too high as Chalford pushed forward just before the break, but Dursley soon countered and Richard Small cut out an attempted clearance to shoot across the face of goal.

Chalford just deserved their 2-1 interval lead, but they lost their way a little as the exchanges began to get heated in the second half.

Dursley captain Chris Dolbear and Nichol were both shown the yellow card for dissent after Legge was fouled and then Ashley Thomas produced an overhead kick which caused a tremendous melee in the visiting six-yard area.

But Chalford could not force the ball home and they missed a great chance on the hour when, from a deep cross by Thomas, Melsome headed high and wide with only Nash to beat from eight yards out.

Chalford produced their best move of the game in the 62nd minute when Danny Clarke cleared up the left flank for Melsome to put Peacock clear, but from his low cross Legge placed his shot wide again with only Nash to beat.

Let off by those finishing lapses, Dursley gradually began to play with increasing conviction and were unlucky not to equalise in the 69th minute when a neat move ended with Wilkins crossing for Small to hook in a dipping shot which Richards just touched against the bar and behind.

Undaunted, Dursley kept up the pressure and, although the corner was headed behind, their next attack in the 71st minute brought them a well-taken equaliser. Chalford's Justin Webster was booked for a foul on the right of the home box and when Trinder flighted the free kick towards the far post Crowcombe ghosted in behind the defence to glance a header low past Richards.

Chalford fought hard to try and regain the initiative and substitute James Davis shot just wide in one promising attack while Wormington was only just off target with a firm header from Legge's cross.

However Dursley were in no mood to relinquish their hard-earned point at this late stage and they survived until the final whistle.

Chalford: King (25, Richards), Brooke-Smith, J Webster, Thomas, P Webster, Wormington, Clarke, Freeman, Melsome (81, Davis), Peacock Legge. Subs (not used): Cheeseman, Webb.

Dursley: Nash, Hart, Bourne, Crowcombe, K Thomas (68, James), Small, Dolbear, Trinder, Wilkins, Nichol, L Thomas. Subs (not used) Mustoe, Billett. Referee: N Taylor (Thornbury).