13 hardy souls braved the coldest wettest Sunday of the season so far as Chawton made the short trip to the Blue Bell ground at Liss.
Chawton lined up in familiar order with Matt in goal, James, Jimmer, Robbie and Martin across the back, Ben, Bob, Rich E and Ben L taking the midfield positions and Sean and Liam up front with George and Simon attempting to keep warm on the bench.
Chawton started very brightly indeed and deservedly took the lead as a long clearance from Matt released Liam who burst on to the through-ball before striking his short early past the Blue Bell keeper.
The enthusiam of the Athletic midfield kep the Bell honest and restricted them to long shots which were no trouble for Matt. Both Ben's stretched the Bell full backs, Ben L especially hareing off after another accurate long throw from Matt.
Bell edged back into the game and it was within that period that they scored the equaliser, a long shot evaded the flying Matt and came back off of the crossbar and before he was able to regain his feet the Bell striker nodded home.
Half time came as the rain and wind whipped up Athletic spurred on by their excellent performance in the first half approached the second half full of belief.
That belief was short lived as an excellently curled ball set the Bell striker through and caught Matt half coming to meet it and had the simplest of tasks to tuck the ball past him.
Chawton kept plugging away and were unlucky not to level as Liam cut inside and fired an excellent shot which the Bell keeper athletically tipped onto the post and away for a corner. The game remained an even match up as attacks were exchanged back and forth. Chawton always looking dangerous on the break but the heaviness of the pitch and tiring legs meant the final ball was perhaps lacking some accuracy. Matt had already pushed Jimmer forward and reverted to a 3 at the back to try to regain parity and George had replaced the excellent James at left back.
And so to the final five minutes, Chawton pushed on looking for that all important equaliser when Bell scored their third against the run of play. A sweeping move up the right hand side saw the ball squared across the goal mouth for a tap in. Athetlic kept playing and Liam was unlucky as he burst through one on one with the keeper to beat, his legs coming to Bell's rescue.
Bell added to further goals both from corners and both exceptionally unfortunate as aerial challenges saw headers loop in the same corner two minutes apart with Matt stranded.
That last five minutes were harsh on a Chawton side that kept plugging away and made the result look more comfortable than it really was. Still encouraging for the boys.
Blog Man of the Match goes this week to Bob, who from my vantage point hurtled round the pitch the whole game, a really excellent effort, well done Bob really brilliant commitment.
Fixtures show Chawton entertaining Hartley Wintney on Sunday 30th Matt will be in touch through the week should we find a pitch to play on.
P.S. It really is imperative that everyone brings money along to pay for subs, £5 for those who play a whole game and £2.50 for subs. There is plenty of expense that we need the money for; today's outlay was £65 and several of us had to pay up to £15 this week to ensure that we could pay for the pitch and for the referee.
Matt has the kit to wash again, and having paid extra as well, he will not be paying subs for a while. It will reach a point where those players who still owe outstanding monies will not be considered for selection!! So please for the sake of keeping the team going lets all sort our subs.
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
The Shots v Chawton Athletic - Match Report
Chawton managed 14 players for this Division One fixture against the Shots at Farnham Park. With Rich P' unavailability the centre back roles were taken by Jimmer and new Robbie, while old Shaun joined Liam up front and Craig replaced an ill Rich E in the centre of the midfield.
Matt returned in goal, reversing the shortest retirement in history, though he still has a bit of bone loose in his knee it appears to have floated off to somewhere inside that is not causing the problems of a couple of weeks ago.
Old Shaun took the Captains armband, and Chawton kicked off facing the car park.
Previous results had suggested that The Shots and Chawton were likely to provide a keen and even test for each other and so it proved.
Both sides started well in patches on a pitch that was very heavy through the middle, the first early chance falling to The Shots, a powerfully struck shot that took a slight deflection that Matt did well to hang on to after a slight parry.
Chawton grew into the game and were creating problems of their own a couple of shots that were blocked or went wide, and a couple of slightly harsh offside decisions that stopped Liam and Shaun in their tracks.
The new back four of Paul, Jimmer, Robbie and Si were coping well, though a sliced clearance from Paul saw Matt stranded only to see the ball bounce back off of the post and back into the of the grateful keeper.
Chawton were actually on top when The Shots took the lead, another powerfully struck shot which Jimmer had done well to close down; took a flick of the Centre Back's shin pad and deflected past a helpless Matt at his near post.
Chawton got back into the game almost immediately as Craig started to show his class, skipping round players before cutting inside and firing a powerfully struck left foot shot past the Shots Keeper. The rest of the half ebbed and flowed and despite Chawton's lack of clear cut chances in comparison to the Shots two or three guilt edged opportunities that were dealt with by Matt well, the match hung in the balance. Young Shaun picked up an injury and was replaced by George.
1-1 at half time probably a fair reflection of the first 45 minutes.
The second half saw the helpful breeze at the Chawton Player's backs and immediately started to look a bigger threat but again against the run of play The Shots took the lead, this time a sliced cross-shot caught Matt edging out to collect the cross, and despite the slow speed of the shot, the keeper could only help the ball into the net again at his near post.
The lead again did not last long at all, a superbly taken 30 yarder from Craig found The Shots keeper in no man's land, the ball sailing over his head and into the net; to make it 2-2.
Chawton had drawn The Shots defence up to nearing the half way line and suddenly Matt's kick's partnered with excellent flick headers suddenly made Chawton look dangerous as firstly Craig and then Liam went close after latching onto through balls.
The Shots still showed they were still well in the game and it took an excellent and disciplined defensive display to keep them at bay.
Chawton deservedly took the lead when The Shots centre back handled a difficult bouncing ball in the box, the Referee consulted with their linesman who confirmed the offence had taken place inside the box and Liam stepped up to slot home the resulting penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Chawton were in the ascendancy and it seemed only a matter of time before they took another opportunity, but again The Shots dug deep and countered and equalized after a well flighted corner that prevented Matt coming for the cross was met by a solid header, 3-3.
Chawton never looked panicked, and continued to pass the ball well, and George did well down the left hand side to square for Old Shaun to strike on goal, his original effort being excellently blocked by the desperate lunge by the defender. Shaun chased the rebound, reached it and turned and clipped a chipped ball to the back post where the ball found the back of the net via the inside of the post, 4-3 to Chawton.
The nail was finally hammered into The Shots coffin when Craig fund himself through on goal with just the keeper to beat, he made no mistake in slotting home, completing his hat trick and sealing Chawton's first league win. 5-3.
Blog man of the match was clearly Craig, who controlled the game superbly from midfield and who's hattrick deservedly helped Chawton to a result which they thoroughly deserved.
Matt returned in goal, reversing the shortest retirement in history, though he still has a bit of bone loose in his knee it appears to have floated off to somewhere inside that is not causing the problems of a couple of weeks ago.
Old Shaun took the Captains armband, and Chawton kicked off facing the car park.
Previous results had suggested that The Shots and Chawton were likely to provide a keen and even test for each other and so it proved.
Both sides started well in patches on a pitch that was very heavy through the middle, the first early chance falling to The Shots, a powerfully struck shot that took a slight deflection that Matt did well to hang on to after a slight parry.
Chawton grew into the game and were creating problems of their own a couple of shots that were blocked or went wide, and a couple of slightly harsh offside decisions that stopped Liam and Shaun in their tracks.
The new back four of Paul, Jimmer, Robbie and Si were coping well, though a sliced clearance from Paul saw Matt stranded only to see the ball bounce back off of the post and back into the of the grateful keeper.
Chawton were actually on top when The Shots took the lead, another powerfully struck shot which Jimmer had done well to close down; took a flick of the Centre Back's shin pad and deflected past a helpless Matt at his near post.
Chawton got back into the game almost immediately as Craig started to show his class, skipping round players before cutting inside and firing a powerfully struck left foot shot past the Shots Keeper. The rest of the half ebbed and flowed and despite Chawton's lack of clear cut chances in comparison to the Shots two or three guilt edged opportunities that were dealt with by Matt well, the match hung in the balance. Young Shaun picked up an injury and was replaced by George.
1-1 at half time probably a fair reflection of the first 45 minutes.
The second half saw the helpful breeze at the Chawton Player's backs and immediately started to look a bigger threat but again against the run of play The Shots took the lead, this time a sliced cross-shot caught Matt edging out to collect the cross, and despite the slow speed of the shot, the keeper could only help the ball into the net again at his near post.
The lead again did not last long at all, a superbly taken 30 yarder from Craig found The Shots keeper in no man's land, the ball sailing over his head and into the net; to make it 2-2.
Chawton had drawn The Shots defence up to nearing the half way line and suddenly Matt's kick's partnered with excellent flick headers suddenly made Chawton look dangerous as firstly Craig and then Liam went close after latching onto through balls.
The Shots still showed they were still well in the game and it took an excellent and disciplined defensive display to keep them at bay.
Chawton deservedly took the lead when The Shots centre back handled a difficult bouncing ball in the box, the Referee consulted with their linesman who confirmed the offence had taken place inside the box and Liam stepped up to slot home the resulting penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Chawton were in the ascendancy and it seemed only a matter of time before they took another opportunity, but again The Shots dug deep and countered and equalized after a well flighted corner that prevented Matt coming for the cross was met by a solid header, 3-3.
Chawton never looked panicked, and continued to pass the ball well, and George did well down the left hand side to square for Old Shaun to strike on goal, his original effort being excellently blocked by the desperate lunge by the defender. Shaun chased the rebound, reached it and turned and clipped a chipped ball to the back post where the ball found the back of the net via the inside of the post, 4-3 to Chawton.
The nail was finally hammered into The Shots coffin when Craig fund himself through on goal with just the keeper to beat, he made no mistake in slotting home, completing his hat trick and sealing Chawton's first league win. 5-3.
Blog man of the match was clearly Craig, who controlled the game superbly from midfield and who's hattrick deservedly helped Chawton to a result which they thoroughly deserved.
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Sunday 16th November - Away to The Shots
Morning all,
Seemingly we have a few key players returning this week to balance Pat and Rich P who are unavailable.
9:15am sharp meet at Alton Train Stattion for the short trip to Farnham Park, by the Par 3 golf course and Farnham Cricket ground at the top of Castle Street Farnham for those who are travelling straight to the ground.
Pat has kindly washed the kit so that's a start, the boys will be looking for a better performance and result after last weeks disappointment.
So far I am waiting on Ben and Robbie to respond to availability requests, and depending on how we look numbers wise, with no recurrence of the current knee problem Matt I will probably return in goal possibly, but no promises.
Seemingly we have a few key players returning this week to balance Pat and Rich P who are unavailable.
9:15am sharp meet at Alton Train Stattion for the short trip to Farnham Park, by the Par 3 golf course and Farnham Cricket ground at the top of Castle Street Farnham for those who are travelling straight to the ground.
Pat has kindly washed the kit so that's a start, the boys will be looking for a better performance and result after last weeks disappointment.
So far I am waiting on Ben and Robbie to respond to availability requests, and depending on how we look numbers wise, with no recurrence of the current knee problem Matt I will probably return in goal possibly, but no promises.
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Wey Valley Sunday v Chawton Athletic
Chawton slipped back into some old habits both on and off the pitch for this Division 1 cup match.
The writing was probably on the wall when the promised 15 players evaporated into 12 by the time we reached the changing rooms at Lindford. Our journey to the ground was not helped by playing on a pitch a ten minute walk away but with no real idea where we were going and who had arrived already.
Matt took over the Management duties after his recent retirement through injury and after finally arriving at the ground he cobbled together a very makeshift side and who then took the pitch after the referee had gathered the two sides together for a period of remembrance for Armistice Day.
Chawton lined up in a familiar 4-4-2 formation, Rich E being given the armband by Gaffer Matt. and his assistant Archie. Chawton started brightly and were more than a match for the mis-firing Wey Valley (a side who had easily beaten Chawton 8-1 in a league match earlier in the season), Chawton fought for the ball bravely and we seeing enough possession to feel content with life.
Wey Valley took the lead probably as Chawton began to look their most settled, unfortunately details of the goals are almost impossible to recall this game, for which I apologise. The goal really sucked the life out of the Chawton hearts and legs, Wey Valley took control of the game and never looked back.
Possession was being given away too easily and the muddy ground drained the energy and fight from Chawton as Wey Valley piled on the pressure. John the keeper made several excellent saves but the fight was not there this week and Chawton succumbed to goal after goal as Wey Valley settled into a driving seat that they never looked likely to relinquish.
Chawton did had several good moments, great interplay and perhaps over-confidence by Wey Valley allowed Shaun and Patrick to fire goal wards only to see a generally bored Valley keeper save well.
By mid-day through the first half, the heads had dropped and now it was a matter of how many for Valley as seemingly each attack bought an effort on goal, some poor finishing and hasty shooting helped Chawton out.
The game as a whole was going against Chawton, as 50/50 tackles, decisions by the ref and the bounce of the ball all seemed to go against them, rounded off by a soft penalty award against Shaun near the end of the first half.
A pretty dismal performance on a whole.
George made way for Simon at half-time, Gaffer Matt obviously feeling the disappointment of retirement even more keenly than expected fired a verbal volley at the boys, asking them for a little more composure on the ball and some more effort.
Sadly the damage was done and this was one result that Chawton were never going to get anything from, not even a consolation goal.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, though Chawton did manage to pressurise the Valley back four a little more in places. Refereeing decisions still seemed to be going the way of Valley as a more and more disappointed Gaffer Matt vented his frustration at the inept official, as foul after foul, some of them fairly nasty looking challenges were let go, whilst he penalised Chawton for lesser infringements of the rules. One outburst which followed a clear last man professional foul on a bursting clear Shaun and 15 seconds later led to another Valley goal bought the official to the sideline to have a chat with Gaffer Matt, Matt ensured the official knew he was not having a very good game and the subsequent mark of 6 on the results card bore that out.
Officials have a duty to referee the game for both sides not just for the side that plays the best football and that was something he clearly seemed unable to do, which was a shame, even a rugby tackle in the first half only just drew a foul for the Chawton man.
And so the game lumbered on, not only were Chawton being outplayed now, every conceivable piece of luck was going against them including an unfortunate own goal as a cross caught Paul on his standing foot and squeezed into the corner past a desperate John. A couple of deflections including one off of a man stood 5 yards offside next to John in goal and another that was "kept in play" when the ball had crossed the by-line by some distance.
But at the end of the day Chawton did not deserve anything from the game, and only having 12 players really limits their options.
Blog Man of the match was almost impossible to choose from but I feel for his first start on an exceptionally difficult day it should go to John the goalkeeper.
Final score Wey Valley Sunday 13 - Chawton Athletic 0
This Sunday away to the Shots - Farnham Park - 9:15 meet at the train station. Gaffer Matt will be calling players Wednesday evening, please ensure that if you make yourself available that you turn up on time at the station. If you subsequently become unavailable please let Matt know on 07971 178147 as soon as you know. We need committment from everyone to make this club succeed!
Also please all take the opportunity to review the club charter again.
The writing was probably on the wall when the promised 15 players evaporated into 12 by the time we reached the changing rooms at Lindford. Our journey to the ground was not helped by playing on a pitch a ten minute walk away but with no real idea where we were going and who had arrived already.
Matt took over the Management duties after his recent retirement through injury and after finally arriving at the ground he cobbled together a very makeshift side and who then took the pitch after the referee had gathered the two sides together for a period of remembrance for Armistice Day.
Chawton lined up in a familiar 4-4-2 formation, Rich E being given the armband by Gaffer Matt. and his assistant Archie. Chawton started brightly and were more than a match for the mis-firing Wey Valley (a side who had easily beaten Chawton 8-1 in a league match earlier in the season), Chawton fought for the ball bravely and we seeing enough possession to feel content with life.
Wey Valley took the lead probably as Chawton began to look their most settled, unfortunately details of the goals are almost impossible to recall this game, for which I apologise. The goal really sucked the life out of the Chawton hearts and legs, Wey Valley took control of the game and never looked back.
Possession was being given away too easily and the muddy ground drained the energy and fight from Chawton as Wey Valley piled on the pressure. John the keeper made several excellent saves but the fight was not there this week and Chawton succumbed to goal after goal as Wey Valley settled into a driving seat that they never looked likely to relinquish.
Chawton did had several good moments, great interplay and perhaps over-confidence by Wey Valley allowed Shaun and Patrick to fire goal wards only to see a generally bored Valley keeper save well.
By mid-day through the first half, the heads had dropped and now it was a matter of how many for Valley as seemingly each attack bought an effort on goal, some poor finishing and hasty shooting helped Chawton out.
The game as a whole was going against Chawton, as 50/50 tackles, decisions by the ref and the bounce of the ball all seemed to go against them, rounded off by a soft penalty award against Shaun near the end of the first half.
A pretty dismal performance on a whole.
George made way for Simon at half-time, Gaffer Matt obviously feeling the disappointment of retirement even more keenly than expected fired a verbal volley at the boys, asking them for a little more composure on the ball and some more effort.
Sadly the damage was done and this was one result that Chawton were never going to get anything from, not even a consolation goal.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, though Chawton did manage to pressurise the Valley back four a little more in places. Refereeing decisions still seemed to be going the way of Valley as a more and more disappointed Gaffer Matt vented his frustration at the inept official, as foul after foul, some of them fairly nasty looking challenges were let go, whilst he penalised Chawton for lesser infringements of the rules. One outburst which followed a clear last man professional foul on a bursting clear Shaun and 15 seconds later led to another Valley goal bought the official to the sideline to have a chat with Gaffer Matt, Matt ensured the official knew he was not having a very good game and the subsequent mark of 6 on the results card bore that out.
Officials have a duty to referee the game for both sides not just for the side that plays the best football and that was something he clearly seemed unable to do, which was a shame, even a rugby tackle in the first half only just drew a foul for the Chawton man.
And so the game lumbered on, not only were Chawton being outplayed now, every conceivable piece of luck was going against them including an unfortunate own goal as a cross caught Paul on his standing foot and squeezed into the corner past a desperate John. A couple of deflections including one off of a man stood 5 yards offside next to John in goal and another that was "kept in play" when the ball had crossed the by-line by some distance.
But at the end of the day Chawton did not deserve anything from the game, and only having 12 players really limits their options.
Blog Man of the match was almost impossible to choose from but I feel for his first start on an exceptionally difficult day it should go to John the goalkeeper.
Final score Wey Valley Sunday 13 - Chawton Athletic 0
This Sunday away to the Shots - Farnham Park - 9:15 meet at the train station. Gaffer Matt will be calling players Wednesday evening, please ensure that if you make yourself available that you turn up on time at the station. If you subsequently become unavailable please let Matt know on 07971 178147 as soon as you know. We need committment from everyone to make this club succeed!
Also please all take the opportunity to review the club charter again.
Friday, 7 November 2008
Sunday 9th November - Away to Wey Valley
Sunday 9th November sees Chawton Athletic return to cup action, this time in the Division 1 Cup. Fixture to be played at Lindford, 10:30 kick off.
Chawton head into this welcome distraction from the perils of league football; missing some key players, well there's a surprise!! Martin iappears likely to be missing due to a rib injury and of course Matt's knee injury has forced him to hang up his exceptionally cheap boots and Keeper's gloves. So if anyone knows of a goalkeeper then get him along to Tuesday nights.
However, Matt now joins the ranks of ex-pro turned coach as he will be shouting and hoppping up and down on the touch line from now on having taken on some of the administrative and Managerial duties from Seth.
George is liaising with Bob re the new kit and hopefully it wont be long until this is sorted.
Chawton head into this welcome distraction from the perils of league football; missing some key players, well there's a surprise!! Martin iappears likely to be missing due to a rib injury and of course Matt's knee injury has forced him to hang up his exceptionally cheap boots and Keeper's gloves. So if anyone knows of a goalkeeper then get him along to Tuesday nights.
However, Matt now joins the ranks of ex-pro turned coach as he will be shouting and hoppping up and down on the touch line from now on having taken on some of the administrative and Managerial duties from Seth.
George is liaising with Bob re the new kit and hopefully it wont be long until this is sorted.
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