Challenge Cup - Semi Final - Chawton V Bluebell

Having started week so positively with availabilities, it actually turned out to be another major struggle this weekend, even the lure of a final was not enough to bring some of the players out of the woodwork and Chawton set off to the Bordon and Oakhanger Sports Club, a hasty pitch re-arrange Saturday night, with just 11 players, never an ideal situation against a well organized Bluebell side.

Chawton lined up in their familiar deep sitting 4-4-2, with Greg and Rich E trying to contain the midfield. Matt was busy early on intercepting through balls, and was positioned well to hold onto a header early on.

Chawton were holding their own until a mazy run saw the Bluebell winger slot past an unsighted Matt, back in the Chawton goal this week. Athletic kept plugging away and although never seriously threatened were enthusiastic enough to force mistakes and mis-placed passes from the Bluebell midfield.

Another Bluebell attack saw a 25 yarder beat Matt, only to crash back off of the crossbar, the rebound fortunately headed over the bar from 5 yards. Bluebell hit the bar again moments later, the ball this time bouncing down onto the line and into the arms of a very relieved Matt.

Bluebell doubled their lead shortly after, Matt doing well to save a well struck shot with an outstretched foot, the re-bound falling to the on-coming winger, who beat the chasing defenders and smashed the ball into the net past the desperately diving Matt.

Bluebell looked to force home their advantage but Athletic held firm, reducing Bluebell to longer efforts, Matt called on once to push a grubber round the post.

0-2 at half time, Athletic were immediately under pressure again in the second half and Bluebell soon added another as another mazy run saw the other Bluebell winger dribble into the box before sliding the ball home, no chance again for Matt.

Bob, Greg, Si, Carl and Rich all were involved heavily in Athletic trying to get the ball back down and play some football, the heavy pitch and the pressure of the Bluebell midfield saw passes going astray and possession lost.

The defence held firm despite the pressure, Dave, Rich P, Martin and Paul defending stoutly as wave after wave of Bluebell attacks rained in, Bluebell added a fourth, as the ball fell to the forward, Matt closed the angle and did well to deflect the ball spinning up on the crossbar, Dave in the right place to hack clear before the return shot missed the far post. Unfortunately the Linesman had signalled to the referee that ball had crossed the line despite Dave's best efforts, not an intentionally contentious decision but I personally felt the ball had not fully crossed the line. Perhaps unfortunate luck for Chawton as they had been competing well for the majority of the second half.

Bluebell added a fifth with another soft shot which evaded the unsighted Matt, there was still time for Matt to accidentally use his face to turn a shot round the post, after the ball bobbled past his hands.

A deserved victory for the Bluebell who go on to face Wey Valley Sunday in the final at Farnham Town's ground, best wishes to the Bluebell in the final.

Weather permitting, Athletic face the Royal Exchange at Bohunt School next weekend

Chawton v Royal Oak - MATCH POSTPONED

Once again the British Weather was the winner as the scheduled Chawton Athletic v Royal Oak fell foul to the horrendous downpour on Saturday night; which left the Bohunt groundsman with little choice than to call the match off on Sunday morning.

A disappointing outcome considering how hard we had worked to scrape together 11 available players for the match.

Chawton's bid for maiden season Cup glory continues this weekend though as they take on the Bluebell in the semi-final of the Challenge cup.

Bluebell came from a goal behind inthe two sides meeting earlier on the season, edging ahead 2-11 early in the second hald before finally pulling away in the final five minutes to a rather flattering 5-1 victory. Chawton will be out to set the record straight and attempt to reach a final in this their first season.

Fixture update

Another fixture was lost to the weather over the weekend, as the Royal Exchange match was cancelled Saturday evening.

Hopefully the slightly warmer weather with stay with us for a while and will not cause a postponement of the next fixture, home to Royal Oak, which due to our continued lack of playing facilities is due to take place at Bohunt School.

Matt is busily trying to sort availabilities, especially after last week's fiasco that saw Chawton with only 7 players on Saturday evening, Matt was left hoping that the weather would intervene before he had to try and postpone the match.

Both Athletic and Oak's last fixture was the 10-0 Cup drubbing that Oak handed out on the 28th January, Athletic will be hoping for a slightly more solid performance on this next occasion.

Team news, Matt returns in goal for Jimmer, who hopefully will be fit after his recent illness. Rich E also has been suffering and is a hopeful returnee. Paul has to work in the afternoon but should be able to take part for the majority of the match.

The new kit has arrived and looks brilliant and with Oak playing in Sky blue, the new Yellow kit should be fine to wear.

Always as a reminder, if players are due to meet at Alton Station please ensure that you arrive by 9:15am SHARP, if you are going to the ground direct, please ensure that you arrive by 9:45am SHARP. This enables us to start to be a little bit more like a team, enables us to prepare in the right way and also ensure that we are properly warmed up!!