Chawton Athletic v Royal Oak Match Report

A familiar tale again this week I'm afraid as late unavailability's robbed Chawton of the opportunity to at least compete in this match, both Sam and Bob becoming unable to don the Yellow of Athletic; and so we arrived to find that we had 10 players against one of the stronger sides in the league.

Matt's Pectoral muscle injury, caused while lounging around in bed, seemed to be up for the goalkeeping challenge, the original idea was for the stopper to remain as a Substitute and for Martin to take the gloves; but the lack of numbers soon put paid to that idea and so Matt took up his familiar position between the sticks.

Chawton started with an all too familiar formation of 4-4-1 with Jimmer sitting in front of the back four in an attempt to to hamper their play maker on the middle of the park, and Dave, Martin, Scott and Paul at the back. George, Carl and Si made up the remaining midfielders and Rob ploughed a very lonely furrow up top on his own.

Chawton were immediately on the back foot as Oak's slick passing game maneuvered their way easily round the short numbered Athletic team, and it was Oak's play-maker that had the first opportunity of the game, collecting just outside the box, but his firmly struck side-footed effort was held second time of asking by the diving Matt.

Unfortunately in completing that save Matt severely aggravated the muscle injury that had made him a doubt for the game and it took a fairly lengthy stoppage in play to allow him to continue.

Oak had the bit between their teeth, but Chawton were holding them at bay, another rifled shot saw Matt gather well near the post, thankfully diving away to his right hand side on this occasion.

Oak took the lead in fortuitous circumstances as a aimlessly lofted straight ball into the Chawton box saw Matt come to easily collect; as the Keeper stretched to pull the ball from the sky the Oak forward jumped into him and the ball came free and was rolled into an empty net. An extremely annoying and disappointing start especially when considering Matt's general handling from crossing so far this season.

Oak soon doubled their lead as a slow, low cross was missed by everybody and found it's way agonisingly into the far corner, on top of conceding Matt had dived onto the side of his injury and the decision was made to swap keepers immediately.

Martin taking over the gloves and Matt taking up his position at Centre Back. Chawton kept battling but Oak are a well drilled side and even when Athletic managed to the Oak under pressure they simply played their way out of trouble. Every Chawton player was involved and several good passages of play encouraged the home side, but those hopes were soon dashed as Oak added from what certainly looked to be an awfully long way off side, but with no linesman of our own and one of the Oak substitutes doing the job for us we can have no real complaints.

A few minutes before half time and Oak's number 11 seemed only two players away from having fouled the entire Chawton side, he soon made up for it with a late challenge on a very brave Martin; who had slid out to collect well at the feet of the on-rushing forward, Martin being fortunate to have turned his head away as the challenge came in; and Matt, who having intercepted a through ball was crudely tackled from behind.

That aside Oak continued to play football and Chawton tried their very best to stop them, but after a couple of efforts which Athletic managed to scramble clear Oak added a fourth on the stroke of half time.

Several lunging challenges by Matt had seen him further struggle with his injury and now running was becoming almost impossible so he decided to go off, leaving the struggling Chawton with just 9 men.

Oak continued where they left off and added goal after goal as Athletic's stamina ran out. Martin did extremely well in the Athletic goal and was unlucky on several occasions to see rebounds from his saves fall to the feet of an Oak player and be buried.

Dave did well at right back including helping one over the bar, which after a discussion between the referee and the Oak captain was given as a corner rather than anything more serious.

The final score of 12-0 was an embarrassing one for Athletic as the 9 outfielders were simply over run and outplayed by a class Oak outfit.

Blog man of the match goes to Scott at Centre Back who plugged away the whole game and made several key interceptions and blocks, but special mention to all who played in the game, Martin, Paul, Dave, George, Si, Jimmer, Rob, Carl and of course Matt despite the fact he let two goals in and only played 45 minutes.

Next week's fixture could/should see the return of Rich, Bob and Pat at the very least, but could also see the return of Greg, Sam and Danny, but could equally see Matt unavailable dependent on how his injury fairs through the week.