That Chertsey Comeback

So Chertsey v Winchester City will be a memorable game, sadly for the wrong reasons on the pitch, the game finishing 3-3 but after 35 minutes, City were 3-0 and seemingly cruising… that’s football 🤷‍♂️

The journey up was simple and quick, taking just under and hour, Miss had a quick Power Nap between Woking & Chertsey. There was a Matchday car park about a minute walk from the ground as parking at the ground is very limited and tight.

We approached the turnstile and the stewards opened the gate to get us through with Miss’ pushchair.

It is a smart ground with four sides of roofing above terracing and one older seated stand. Sadly, there were steps all around the ground. Great for Terracing and to get good views of the game - a nightmare for a pushchair though.

No baby changing facilities, a disabled toilet but no baby changing sadly. I travel to every game now sadly expecting this to be the case - so a quick nappy change in the car when we arrive is the order of the day.

There is a nice bar next to the main stand, but it is all up tiered concrete; so no access with a pushchair unless I carry the pushchair. Whilst it was quiet, I took Miss round to the away dugout where we would perch for the first-half.

A decent sized crowd of over 500 attended, but fortunately there was enough room for Miss to roam around with her ball - and she made friends with the Grandson of the Chertsey Manager, who joined her for a kick about! ⚽️

The ground is showing its age in places and could do with a decent tidy up to be honest, stinging nettles growing behind one goal and also discarded rubbish, a ‘ripped’ can of coke - could cause serious harm to a little one… take note Chertsey.

That said, the locals were friendly and welcoming, generating a good atmosphere. And they certainly made a lot of noise celebrating their dramatic late comeback. About the game… Tommy Wright, Dan Jones and Olly Balmer put City 3-0 up. Chertsey pulled a goal back before half-time and made it 3-2 midway through the second-half. Then drama unfolded with the home keeper getting sent off, outfield player going in goal but remarkably the hosts still grab a stoppage time equaliser from a long range free-kick 👏

Great entertainment on the pitch although a disappointing result as an away fan. Decent atmosphere, nice people but poor facilities with a toddler in mind, not great access, no baby changing and some questionable cleanliness concerns (nothing a bit of TLC can’t sort!)

Miss enjoyed herself kicking her ball about, running around the terracing, mingling with people and clapping the goals. High-fives all round for the boys after the game before the journey home.

I’ll take cover as Miss is doing below… my feedback will probably get me ‘pelters’ of the ground, but I say it as I see with our little one in mind and for her - the ground requires improvements.

On to the next one. 🧷⚽️