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.
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