Monday 29 December 2008

Chawton Athletic v Royal Oak Match Report

The task of rounding up a team proved harder than expected as we only had 11 right up until the time we were due to meet up at the train station.

Liam, fresh from his trip to Sunderland added a twelfth name to the Team Sheet and we were off to face the Royak Oak at Bordon Rec.

Chawton had played superbly well in the second half of their previous meeting with the Royal Oak, keeping a clean sheet and holding Oak to 3-0, and more of the same was in the forefront of the Athletic players as we made the short trip over to Bordon.

That confidence was soon shatter as late arrivals meant that Athletic started the game with just ten men, and by the time Rich E and Ben had arrived the damage was already done with Oak racing into an early 3-0 lead. Jimmer had taken Matt's place in goal, the original idea was to have Matt start from the bench and make an appearance late in the second half, but the shortage meant he was pushed into the action from the start.

Oak are a physical side and Athletic never really came to terms with that, the early exchanges saw Athletic bossed from the ball sometimes illegally but with far too much regularity to gain a foothold on the game. Oak's fluent and organised football had the Athletic midfield stretched even after Rich had joined the fray. Athletic were at sixes and sevens as wave after wave of Oak attack cut mercilessly through a labouring Athletic side. Matt and Liam tried in vain to start the closing from the front, but Matt's fitness which had originally been the reason from his Goal keeping position and also why he was due to start on the bench, really offered the Athletic midfield scant protection.

Athletic occasionally broke away but lack of numbers and or the odd nudge off the ball by the robust Oak midfield meant the attacks broke back down.

Oak continued to stride confidently forwards and it was mostly poor finishing and poor fortune that saw Oak go in at half time 4-0 up, having hit the post twice and the crossbar once.

It did not take long for Oak to extend their lead in the second half, again swift pass and move football saw the Athletic side helpless.

Matt went off and allowed Ben to take up an unfamiliar role on the left hand side of the midfield, and despite Athletic's best efforts and some great saves from Jimmer, the goals kept going in.

The referee, who coincidentally was the secretary of the Royal Oak lol, had a decent game, was quick to jump on any ill discipline and swearing, but again could have done more to protect the Athletic side in the tackle, who were really struggling to gain a grip in midfield.

Athletic were certain they had scored when John chased a back pass down and did well to block the Oak Keepers kick, the ball ricocheted over the keeper and more than likely over the line before being cleared the referee was not in a position to see clearly and the linesman signalled that ball had not crossed the line.

A shame and would probably have been fair as Athletic at least kept trying right to the end of the 55 minute second half.

So the game ended 10-0 and probably could and should have been a lot more. Matt will resume his keeping duties for the next fixture with Jimmer returning to the field.

Monday 15 December 2008

Chawton Athletic V Royal Oak - 14th Dec MATCH POSTPONED

The scheduled cup fixture between Chawton and the Royal Oak succumbed to the inclement weather Saturday afternoon. Bohunt were unhappy to allow us to use their pitch after so much rain and despite the best efforts of the Royal Oak, we were unable to locate another pitch, again due to the waterlogged nature of the ground.

We have mooted the 28th December as the proposed date to play this fixture, I will be in touch with all the players a little closer to the date, in the meantime I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Friday 12 December 2008

Chawton Athletic V Royal Oak - 14th Dec update

Ok so far I have 6 players who have confirmed their availabilities for this sunday's vital cup game against the Royal Oak, 3-0 conquerers of a determined Athletic team earlier on in the season.

The Club has recently been fined £25 for failing to fulfil a fixture against The Shots, on November 2nd and so I am extremely eager that we manage to gather enough of the squad to ensure that we are able to at least play the game rather than just forfeit the opportunity to progress to the next round of the cup.

I will continue to chase players throughout Friday, but will have to contact the Royal Oak should the numbers not start to improve.

Sunday 7 December 2008

Chawton Athletic v Wey Valley Sunday Match Report

Chawton managed to scramble together 12 players for this division 1 game against Wey Valley Sunday, a side who had put 21 goals past Athletic in their two meetings so far this season.

The "Laundry Pitch" was basically frozen solid and so after some lengthy discussions between both Captains and the "referee" we decided to go ahead with the game, but review that decision after 20 minutes.

Chawton were looking to build on two improved performance over recent weeks, and started the game brightly, keep Wey Valley at Bay. Matt having won the toss decided to force Valley to kick toward to the more frozen end with a view that their silky football should have been harder for them to play.

After the 20 minute mark had passed the "referee" had chatted to both captains and all agreed that the game should continue, the decision to defend the totally frozen solid end sadly backfired as possibly an even tamer shot than that which evaded Matt's grasp last week took a huge bobble from the frozen surface and skipped up over the prone keeper and into the net.

Athletic kept up the pace and were doing well against a well organized Valley side. Valley added a fortunate second as a hopeful ball into the box again bounced awkwardly on the solid surface, and caught Bob on the chest and upper arm; the "referee" surprisingly had no hesitation to answer the Valley appeals in the positive and award the second dubious penalty against Athletic in two weeks. Matt was sent the wrong way and Valley had doubled their lead.

Athletic still battled away without creating many chances themselves, and were finding some success down the Valley left hand side. Athletic forced a few corners but were still unable to find a way through.

Valley added a third as a back pass left Matt with little option than to hack clear left footed ahead of the on-rushing Valley striker. Again the pitch played it's part as a bobble took it past the Keeper who was then pushed to the ground, the "referee" seeing nothing wrong with the challenge and the Valley striker rolled the ball past a retreating defender.

Chawton's heads were starting to drop a little and Valley added a forth before half time as a flick on at the near post from a long throw saw Matt manage to get his hands to it, only for it to drop to an un-marked Valley striker who volleyed home.

The fight had left Chawton completely as they kicked off for the second half and Valley soon added to their tally. Time after time the Chawton defence were shifted around by the swift play of Valley.

The "referee" intervened once again as he awarded Valley yet another penalty, this time Bob's closing down of the striker led to the Valley Man slipping and bringing Bob down with him. The booking the Chawton man received for the challenge rubbed salt in to what was an already very sore wound. Another highly dubious decision. Valley's Keeper took the Penalty, sliding a slow roller straight down the middle as Matt picked a direction to dive in.

The "referee" continued to influence the game as decision after decision went against Athletic and even several extremely shocking outbursts of appalling language did not stir him to take action against Valley. Valley took control of the game as tackles and niggly fouls in Athletic's favour were let go, and soon Valley had racked up 9 goals as Athletic tried to push on to get anything from the game.

The "referee's" day improved marginally as he generously awarded Athletic a penalty, to little too late if he felt he would try to balance the decisions from the other 80 minutes, Rich E calmly slotting home. The "referee" again choosing to ignore the astonishing language screamed directly at him by the Valley keeper, just incredulous.

Martin took over in goal allowing Matt to enter the fray up front. Athletic started to look dangerous on the counter attack and were exceptionally unfortunate not to as a through ball from Matt released a seemingly well-onside Liam who stroked home. Liam's questioning of the "referee's" decision lead to him going into the book, another quite astonishing decision considering the Valley keeper's behaviour regarding the penalty.

The "referee" finally called time on another disappointing 90 minutes for Athletic and you would have to question, on the evidence of the game, the decisions and the amount of time the "referee" spent fraternizing with the Valley players, whether the £30 fee was being topped up by the opposition. Matt has marked the "referee" as 4 out of 10 and will be sending an official letter of complaint to the league, 3 Games by that "referee" 3 shocking performances by him, surely it is no coincidence that he turns these efforts in against us!!

Athletic have another cup game next week, against the Royal Oak at Bohunt School. Here's hoping that the league see fit to appoint someone with a modicum of professionalism who is able to referee the game fairly.

Thursday 4 December 2008

Fixture Sunday 7th December

Chawton Athletic head into the Christmas break with a tough trip to Wey Valley Sunday, the side that have already put 21 goals past them in their two previous meetings.

Chawton hope that player numbers will be significantly up on last week when they were forced to field just 10 men against CSL Hartley Wintney, but will be bouyed by their performance having created as many if not more chances than their opponents in the 7-1 defeat.

Matt hopefully will have his catching gloves on this week which should help too.

Meet for the game is as always 9:15am sharp at Alton Station for those not going direct, please let me know if you decide to go direct to save us waiting at the station for anyone.

Monday 1 December 2008

Chawton Athletic v CSL Hartley Wintney

Another wet and wild day greeted the 10 Chawton players as they met at Alton Station to return to the venue of their biggest league defeat in the club's short history.

As is typical from week to week, there should actually been 15 players but illness and late unavailability meant that this was always going to be an uphill task for Athletic.

The game started ominously with CSL passing the ball around confidently, Athletic's defence and midfield working hard to try and close down the spaces available.

Athletic's two banks of four with Shaun holding the line were looking dangerous on the attack, as the CSL defence were holding a very high line indeed. A clever through ball saw Liam race clear and round the keeper before being brought down, the Linesman stating perhaps dubiously that the offence took place outside the box and the referee obviously caught by the earliness of the incident chose to not even caution the keeper, who was a lucky man to stay on the field. How much more of a goalscoring opportunity do you want; having rounded the keeper with no defenders giving chase. Liam's free kick was cleared and CSL started to take control.

CSL took an early lead when the normally reliable Matt let a powder puff of a shot slip through his newly gloved hands, he immediately dispatched Pat off to the changing room to retrieve his old gloves. The next attack saw Matt caught by a swerving cross shot, still only half way through the process of putting his gloves back, a good save followed by an almighty scramble saw the ball cleared and the game stopped momentarily to allow the keeper to finish donning his mitts.

CSL who were also struggling with only 11 players and with an outfielder in goal, looked vulnerable at the back and time and time again Craig and then Shane played superb balls through for Shaun, who unfortunately could not find a finish to match.

Matt's game seemed slightly off as another shot made it's way through his hands, a lot more powerful than the first but still one he should have dealt with. Craig's shot straight from the kick off looked to have caught the CSL keeper way off of his line but he managed to scramble back just in time.

Chawton had eased into the game and we giving as much as they got, chance after chance fell to Shaun on the break but it was not to be his day, though he worked tirelessly.

CSL were awarded a soft penalty for handball and Matt was sent the wrong way to make the scoreline perhaps slightly more flattering than the performance of both sides warranted. Still Athletic plugged away, Craig spreading the play wide well to Liam and Pat and Ben Lo, playing out of position at left back linked well up the left hand side. Ultimately it was the extra man that started to tell as the half wore on and CSL added two more before the very cold looking young referee blew the half time whistle.

Athletic were buoyed as they trudged from the park, to see the arrival of Ben Le, who had managed to make it over. He got changed and joined the fray. Athletic started the second half in a similar vein, looking dangerous on the attack but again lacked a touch of composure when looking for a finish.

Sadly Athletic's parity in numbers last just ten minutes into the second half. Patrick having brilliantly turned away from his man and set off on a run was mercilessly scythed down by an awful and unacceptably late challenge, I mean it was so late Pat was just getting into his car to leave for god's sake!!. It prompted Skipper Matt to venture from his goal to see what action the referee was going to take, and of course it was none, CSL could easily have been down to 9 men by this stage and you probably would not have found too many in their team to argue against that. Patrick, already nursing a weak left ankle, was forced from the pitch, a real blow for Athletic who were causing problems for CSL.

Another Athletic break saw the CSL stand in keeper turn a goal bound shot aside for a corner and Ben's floated ball evaded Martin but found Liam behind him, who nodded home. The confidence was up and despite CSL looking dangerous, they made little of their chances and Matt, whose handling had improved immeasurably from the first half looked comfortable plucking crosses out.

Again the chances came Chawton's way on the break and determined running saw Liam's chip just evade Shaun at the far post.

CSL added two late on, another blooper for Matt I'm afraid as his attempted palm over the crossbar saw the ball nestle in the corner and late on curled left foot shot from the guy who cut down Pat found the inside of the post.

Blog Man of the Match was Shaun N, I know he felt down as he was unable to convert one or more of the chances that came his way, but he worked tirelessly for the team and with a bit of luck the result could have been very different indeed.