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
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