The threat of snow was hanging in the air as Chawton faced up to The Royal Exchange; just one of the two sides they had managed to beat so far this season.
Sadly with regular defeats comes the continued lack of numbers and despite desperate calls and texts the 11 players due to be available had dwindled to 9 by the time we left the station for the short hop to Bohunt School.
The situation was explained to the referee who was happy to proceed with no linesman on our side of the pitch, and so we kicked off. Exchange passed the ball around Athletic's 8 outfield players, probing down the flanks as Athletic struggled to cope. Despite the pressure on the Athletic goal, Matt was untroubled, the cold conditions making the ball bobble in the 18 yard box.
Athletic's defence were clearing their lines effectively, Paul, Rich P, Martin and Si were defending manfully and Sam, Rich E, George and Greg were managing to get hold of the ball and attempt to forge a way forwards.
The breakthrough came as Sam set off on a superb winding run, twisting, turning leaving Exchange defenders in his wake. He turned inside the last defender and lost his footing and the Referee surprisingly awarded Athletic a Penalty. Sam was not complaining as he placed the ball on the spot and proceeded to roll it past the Exchange Keeper.
Difficult to say it was totally against the run of play, but Athletic were delighted with the fortune but were under no illusions that Exchange would be flying forwards looking to get back onto even terms.
The attacks continued down the sides of Athletic's midfield, the three sat slightly infield were doing a fantastic job along with full backs Si and Paul at closing down as much space as possible.
Athletic poured forwards with Athletic looking to hold what they had, the Exchange left winger turning inside Si and firing toward Matt's near post via the right back's heel, Matt did well to turn the ball round the post for a corner. The ball was cleared from the Corner.
Exchange were struggling to create clear cut chances against a resolute and perhaps slightly deep Chawton defence. Matt claimed several lofted ball's into the box well one of which he immediately launched with a thrown that found Greg near the half way line, Exchange were holding their defensive line on halfway and Greg's astute ball round the corner set Sam away, and he powered away from the chasing defender's to calmly slot passed the Exchange keeper, 2-0 to Athletic possibly sort of deserved.
Exchange pushed on and Matt had to be smart at his near post again to push round for a corner. The keeper again claiming the corner well.
Exchange should have pulled one back as a ball cut back across the six yard line was slotted wide of the far post.
So Athletic lead at half time 2-0, but they recognised how narrow that lead was and just how important the first 5 minutes of the second half would be.
Unfortunately for Athletic, the Exchange players were unhappy with the ball and the referee disappeared at half time only to return with the ball pumped up to it's maximum.
Suddenly Athletic's goal kicks were going nowhere and they immediately struggled to clear their lines even with the wind at their backs. The game had changed in Exchange's favour, they had re-grouped and were spurred on by the Athletic's inability to get the ball away.
Exchange pulled a goal back shortly into the second half, again a partially cleared ball fell to the Exchange player, who was not closed and had time to fire high into the far corner passed an unsighted Matt.
Minutes later and Exchange were level, a sweeping move starting from Athletics left and ending up on their right ended as the left winger smashed a shot into the top corner Matt getting his hand to it, the more solid ball powering through his fingers.
Matt managed to convince the referee to let the ball down, but not enough to see Athletic re-take control of the game, but with Exchange being egged on by their hardcore fans, Athletic were never out the of the game and all the time that Exchange continued to defend on the half way line they always had a chance.
Exchange were creating half chances only and Matt had little to do of any note and was picking off crosses and corners with ease.
Eventually Exchange forged another opportunity and again it was another shot from outside the box that found the corner via the outstretched hands of a disappointed Matt. Athletic kept trying to get the ball down and pass it but the legs were going. Exchange broke through several more times as the clock ticked down Matt doing well to hold a softly struck shot and palming one round for a corner.
Time ran out with Athletic never really looking likely to get back on even terms, an excellent game, though it would have been very interesting to see exactly what the outcome would have been with a football in the second half rather than a cannon ball and also if Athletic had managed to put out 11 men.
Blog man of the match was Sam, who's instant impact was obvious for everyone to see and will be a fantastic replacement for Liam who I just can't get hold of any more. Well done Sam we look forward to seeing you play again.
Revenge comes on the 1st March with the return fixture against Royal Exchange.
Upcoming fixtures are as follows:
8th February - Away to Morley Road
15th February - Away to Bluebell
22nd February - "Home" to Royal Oak
1st March - Away to Royal Exchange
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