Bedfont Green have dismissed a counter-claim from Combined Counties Premier promotion rivals Chertsey Town over player-tapping as 'sour grapes'.

Chertsey were fined £150 by the Surrey FA and warned about their future conduct after pleading guilty to making an illegal approach for striker Chris Henry following Green's 5-0 win over the Alwyn Lane club on November 4.

Chertsey could face further sanctions from the Combined Counties League Committee, who will debate the affair at a meeting next Monday and could charge the club with bringing the league into disrepute.

However, Chertsey secretary Chris Gay revealed his club have submitted a counter-claim against Bedfont Green to the Middlesex FA.

They allege Green made an illegal approach to their former striker Aaron McLeish in an attempt to win back the striker, who left them earlier in the season.

The 'tapping' is supposed to have taken place when McLeish came to watch best friend and former teammate Henry play in a Middlesex Senior Cup match at Hendon on December 10.

Gay claimed: "Aaron was approached at this game and a conversation to the effect he might want to return to Bedfont Green took place.

"In the light of recent events, we thought it unfair a charge is laid against one club and not the other."

But Green secretary Stewart Cook was quick to dismiss the counter allegations, saying: "There's not a shred of evidence for this.

"It's sour grapes and tit-for-tat because we've stood up to their chairman over his conduct in illegally approaching players.

"Our manager has got six centre forwards at the club already. He doesn't need Aaron McLeish."

Chertsey are also facing action for allegedly illegally approaching Ashford Town (Middx) player Stuart Bamford, who ironically made his debut against Bedfont Green in last month's 1-1 draw.

However, Cook wants his side's focus to return to securing promotion.

He added: "Chertsey were found guilty of breaking the rules in their approach for Chris Henry and in their attempts to destabilise our club, and as far as we are concerned the matter is now closed.

"What further action, if any, the Combined Counties League decides to take is between them and Chertsey. We just want to concentrate on winning football matches."

Bedfont Green have since received a letter from the Middlesex FA saying they are not being charged.

Meanwhile, Henry hit the winner on Saturday as Green stayed top on goal difference from Epsom & Ewell with a 2-1 win at Guildford City.

Kevin Cooper put them in front after just six minutes from Henry's cross, and although City levelled 10 minutes before half-time, Henry nabbed the winner four minutes later after latching onto a Jon-Barrie Bates through-ball.

One sore point for Green was the loss of keeper Lee Pearce to a ligament injury after making a acrobatic save. Defender Phil Merritt donned the gloves for the closing stages.

Green, who's game against Cove on Tuesday was called off, host Colliers Wood United on Saturday and visit Bookham next Tuesday. 

* GREEN'S reserves moved second in the Suburban League North with a 3-1 win over Amersham.

Anil Arri bagged a brace and Anthony Regis also notched.