CHALVEY Sports have lost ground in the race for the Hellenic League Division Two East title after being held to a 2-2 draw away at Virginia Water Reserves on Saturday.

The first half at The Timbers ended goalless and The Waters broke the deadlock after the restart before Chalvey equalised through captain Ryan Hazell.

A goal from Bryan Taylor then gave The Stabmonks the lead, but Virginia Water levelled the scores from the penalty spot just before the final whistle.

The point means Chalvey move up one place to second position in the league table and now eight points behind Abingdon United Development but with three games in hand on the leaders.

Stabmonks manager Merv Lloyd told the Observer: “I don’t want to repeat myself but everyone wants to get something from us because, if they do, they’ve beaten a very good side. Our record in the Hellenic League doesn’t lie.

“We had two early goals disallowed and the second should have stood, but that’s bye the bye.

“Virginia Water scored first but we got our backs up. If we had that ignition from the start we would not have a problem, but we have to fall behind before we throw our toys out the pram and get the hump.

“I didn’t see the penalty but have been told the decision was right and Virginia Water netted it. I thought our keeper would save it because he has done us proud with penalties saves in previous years but it didn’t happen.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Bryan Taylor (blue) scored the equalising goal for Chalvey on Saturday.

“I’m disappointed because it’s two points we needed.

“Virginia Water are a nice club. The pitch was not great but we’ve just got to put up with that and deal with it.

“The pitch was not brilliant and if the game would have been two minutes shorter then we would have won.”

He added: “People do like stopping others from winning the league and no-one will roll over for you.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to keep on working hard and press on, but I think we can deal with that. The players are all educated men and know what we need to do.

“It felt like a defeat on Saturday but we’ve got to keep on moving forward.”

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