CHERTSEY 1, BADSHOT LEA 4

THE news that Badshot Lea have finally got the go-ahead to start work on their permanent new home at Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham, coincided with a resounding win at Chertsey on Saturday.

The Baggies still have much to do in their fight to avoid relegation from the Combined Counties Premier, but the manner of this victory suggests that Michael Charles’ men are well capable of climbing away from trouble.

Connor Cullen put Chertsey ahead after 18 minutes, but fortune favoured the visitors as they replied with two goals in the space of four minutes.

James Pilgrim equalised with a deflected shot that wrong-footed Chico Ramos in the home goal.

On 25 minutes, Ramos blocked a shot from Darren Blake, but Chad Goulter seized on the rebound, and Badshot Lea were in front.

Their third goal, coming just before half-time, effectively finished off Chertsey. This time, it was a Benga Ogunseye shot that took a helpful deflection and Badshot Lea went in with a 3-1 advantage.

The second half was less eventful. Finally, with nine minutes to go, Pilgrim took a free-kick and the prolific Ogunseye got the final touch to put the game to bed.

Badshot Lea host bottom side Bedfont & Feltham in a vital game at Ash United’s ground this Saturday.

Badshot Lea are targeting August, 2018 for playing their first senior matches at Westfield Lane, the former home of Farnham Rugby Club. With the funding all in place, work on the major project is due to start in June.