Report
If Pennant are relegated this year, nobody can accuse them of not putting up a fight. They are now undefeated since March 13, and the team spirit on display on Tuesday night was a joy to behold.
For parts of this crucial division two fixture, the Lillywhites defied their position in the league and outfought, outthought and outplayed their stylish opponents.
Since the 2-1 defeat at Cheshunt on what proved to be an unlucky March 13, Pennant have held mid-table sides Marlow and Molesey to scoreless draws, gained a battling 3-3 draw at high flying Tooting & Mitcham and defeated bottom side Wokingham Town 2-1.
It is such spirit that has the players believing that they will beat the drop this year, and if they do, it will be a fantastic achievement.
The opening 25 minutes was very even, with most of the early exchanges taking place in a cramped midfield.
Then Pennant began to turn the screw. First Neil Tilley hit a 25-yard drive that flew just inches wide. Then, man-of-the-match Tommy Lee cut in from the right and unleashed a shot that was well held by Chertsey keeper Lee Edwards.
Chertsey’s only first-half effort came on 34 minutes, when Ryan Ashe found striker Paul DeLuca. DeLuca flicked the ball past the outcoming Curtis, but the ball took a deflection off a defender and trickled wide.
The visitors came on strong in the second half, but again only had one real effort; a header from Paul Gower headed off the line by the energetic Jermaine Hughes.
Twenty minutes from the end, Pennant could have snatched the points when Tommy Lee’s deflected drive from outside the box was somehow saved by Edwards.
Pennant now face two home games in three days. They play Wembley tonight (Thurs) and Wokingham Town on Saturday, before travelling to East Thurrock United on Easter Monday.