A beautifully sunny day greeted the Chawton Athletic players as they met for this their second league game of the season.
Feeling slightly more confident after their drubbing last week at the hands of Hartley Wintney, the boys feeling that another week's worth of training had helped iron out some of those organizational issues experienced in their opening fixture.
The team without Seth, Paul, Clark, Jimmer, Robbie, Arj, Vinnie and Phil set off from the train station with 11 but thankfully Martin was soon recruited to boost the squad size to a respectable 12 men.
Arriving at the ground, Alex, whose input into the side as Manager is starting to bear fruit, quickly had us gathered in the dressing room and set about a very uplifting team talk.
Rich, took over the Captain's armband from Matt and Alex laid down the plan for the first half.
A well devised warm up and stretch routine had the Chawton boys ready to go; and so with the young referee ready we kicked off.
Chawton settled excellent, causing problems to the shaky Wey Valley back line in the early exchanges, Matt was a spectator in the opening ten minutes. Rich was holding the line well, with Pat having taken up the left back berth vacated by the missing Seth.
Slowly Wey Valley came back into the game, and from the first chance; a hopeful ball forward; the Wey Valley striker managed to get an early shot away that caught Matt out and could only watch as the ball fizzed in the bottom corner. The shock of a goal technically against the run of play caught Chawton, and the confidence ebbed slightly. A well placed corner saw Wey Valley score again as a header was planted firmly inside the post.
Chawton rallied and Liam and Lee both had good efforts on goal, but sadly didn't test the keeper; it was on the break from another sustained piece of Chawton pressure that lead to the breakaway third for Wey Valley as a through ball behind the defence saw a one on one that Matt did well to get has to but could not stop the ball rolling into the corner. Matt had made a couple of good saves including one smothered attempt as he was rounded again one on one.
The fourth came from a mistake from the normally safe handed Matt as his attempted catch saw the ball slip from his grasp to be headed home, 4-0, it was not looking good for the Athletic.
The 5th came from a corner, and was turned into his own net by an unlucky Matt, this was followed quickly by the 6th another one on one that flicked off of Matt's hip before nestling into the goal. The only thing the ref gave in our favour was when a foul was committed in our box, the grass being so long he could not see the line and after checking with our linesman had no alternative but to give a free kick on the edge of the box.
So half time, Alex had his work cut out to lift the boys, but a very positive chat saw the boys refreshed and ready for the second half as Alex put it at "0-0".
Chawton started the second half a different team, suddenly the ball was down and being passed around and we started to look dangerous, but another ball over the top saw the Wey Valley forward manhandle Shaun off of the ball before slotting past an out of position Matt, a disappointing decision from the Ref who in my opinion had a very poor game.
Too many times he was quick to award free kicks against us for imagined pushes; as two players challenged in the air, but allowed Wey Valley to tug push and pull while the ball was on the ground, I reminded him of that fact and he petulantly moved a free kick all the way back into my six yard box, for which I again reminded him that he was only doing that because he knew full well my complaints were justified, suffice to say he did not hang around long afterwards.
A moment of magic then ensued as Chawton continued to push forward and their hard work and determination was rewarded as Liam smashed home brilliantly from 25 yards, a very accomplished finish indeed from the debutant.
Chawton carried on trying to get their passing going and an excellent interchange released George, whose effort on goal was tipped onto the post and away for a corner by the Valley keeper.
Wey Valley had time to wrap the scoring up as another one on one saw Matt save well only to palm the ball into the path of another striker who rolled the ball home.
Overall a much better performance in the second half with boys having only lost "2-1" in the second half.
Blog man of the match was Liam, who worked tireless both up front and at the back to give Si a breather and of course who slotted home so well to give Chawton their first goal of the season.
Our greatest challenge continues this week as we attempt to find a home pitch, more details to follow.
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