Chawton were left to rue their mis-fortune after this Farnham and District Sunday League Challenge Cup tie against The Royal Exchange.
Car trouble, injuries, illness and family robbed them of four vital players and prior to kick off, leaving Athletic woefully short of numbers with just the 11 players. A shame as all week it had appeared that they would have at least 15 available.
Athletic lined up in mostly normal fashion with Si E taking over the decision making reigns from Matt, the only change tactics wise from last week was Martin sitting in front of the back four with Sam up front on his own.
Athletic looked poor in the early stages and rightfully fell behind from a corner as Si H's miscued clearing header fell back into the middle of the box, a block by Rich P saw the ball ricochet back to the Exhange player who fired into the roof of the net.
Chawton were chasing the game from the off, and soon fell further behind when a hopeful long ball over the Athletic defence was collected and finished past a despairing Matt. A huge disappointment for Athletic who were just edging their way back into the game.
Chances were few and far between but Sam was unlucky on two separate occasions not to have opened Athletic's account, the keeper fortunately saving once and a shot striking Si H who had accidentally strayed into the firing line.
A late tackle on the marauding Paul I saw the left back, who was already struggling with a cold, fall very awkwardly on his elbow, and struggle with it for the rest of the game in obvious pain.
Athletic were starting to match Exchange a little more, but Exchange's better organization was starting to take it's toll on the tiring Athletic Midfield and another longer ball saw Exchange increase their lead further. Sam pulled a goal back before half time with an excellent mazy run through the Exchange back line before coolly slotting past the keeper.
Half time 3-1 down and Athletic had it all to do, and to be fair started the better. Exchange were still defending very high and only the linesman's flag curtailed several promising positions. Sam scored again after great work from John, easily rolling the ball past the stricken Exchange keeper.
Suddenly the momentum of the game had changed, and Athletic were in the ascendancy, it was surely a matter of time before they deservedly equalised.
Chances came and went including a great opportunity for the returning George, who screwed his first time shot wide of the upright.
Athletic were starting to badly miss the lack of fitness and substitutes to freshen things, and Exchange were easing their way back into the game.
Matt saved smartly at the feet of the forward but Athletic chances were getting fewer and it was as Athletic tried to force their hand to push for the equaliser that Exchange scored the decisive goal, Rich P struggling on with injury, was unfortunate to miss his kick and Matt was left in no mans land and lobbed.
Blog Man of the Match was Paul I, who plugged away all day despite injury, with a never-say-die attitude that is a credit and an inspiration to the rest of the squad.
Next week Athletic see action away from home against Royal Oak at Meadow School Field. 9:15am meet at Alton Station.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Chawton Athletic 2 - Royal Exchange 1
Chawton Athletic took all three points in the first game at their new home ground, Binstead Recreation Ground.
Here is Paul I's transcript of the game:
We played really well, we had a midfield that remained focused for the entire game and supported the attacks but didn't leave the defense wide open. We pushed forward from the beginning down both flanks, forced a corner which Bob took and Rich P headed in only for it to be disallowed due to the ball having gone out from the corner and then coming back in.
Not long after I cleared (passed deliberately) the ball to Rich Townsend playing left midfield he stepped in had a speculative shot which the keeper fumbled into the net.
About 10 mins later they scored to equalise, can't remember how off the top of my head but against the run of play as we were defending quite comfortably at that point. Bob had brought along a keeper Martin H, who was very very good. Came out quick and decisively, plucked the ball out of the air, good throwing set up several good attacks.
Another attack and the ball went up through Bob I think to Sam who turned and shot from the edge of the box for the ball to hit the left hand post bounce across the goal into the net. Midfield was comfortably snuffing out most of the breaks from the opposition, Si Horner played very well, Bob probably had his best game Ive seen him play.
Skilt's played defensive midfield until half time when he had to go to his daughters birthday party. Rich Townsend on the left gave me lot's of cover (thankfully). Rich T then got injured, Achilles, and went off to be replaced by Paul Whitcher. But, give him his due, I gave him a man to mark and he stayed with him and made it difficult all game.
Skilt's then went at half-time and was replaced by Carl who played a defensive midfield role and generally got in the way a bit of the attackers. We kept to mainly long range efforts which Martin H snuffed out easily. They had a few efforts but nothing really troubled the keeper except one were he'd had to come to the attacker who lobbed him, but luckily I had wandered back and chested it off for a corner which they wasted.
Then James did his achilles and was replaced by Si Edwards, who coped quite comfortably too. Basically, they had very little to trouble us with and if Sam had have been fully fit we would have easily scored 5 or 6 I reckon because we played so many good decisive passes between defenders for Sam to chase that he would had a field day.
Every single player made a valuable contribution, Dave Parkins and Rich P looked solid at centre back, both full backs coped pretty well with what came there way. Its a shame James is injured because he was looking a very good player. Midfield with whichever players were in it worked hard, closed down and pushed forward well. Sam was still a threat even carrying his injury.
Here is Paul I's transcript of the game:
Not long after I cleared (passed deliberately) the ball to Rich Townsend playing left midfield he stepped in had a speculative shot which the keeper fumbled into the net.
About 10 mins later they scored to equalise, can't remember how off the top of my head but against the run of play as we were defending quite comfortably at that point. Bob had brought along a keeper Martin H, who was very very good. Came out quick and decisively, plucked the ball out of the air, good throwing set up several good attacks.
Another attack and the ball went up through Bob I think to Sam who turned and shot from the edge of the box for the ball to hit the left hand post bounce across the goal into the net. Midfield was comfortably snuffing out most of the breaks from the opposition, Si Horner played very well, Bob probably had his best game Ive seen him play.
Skilt's played defensive midfield until half time when he had to go to his daughters birthday party. Rich Townsend on the left gave me lot's of cover (thankfully). Rich T then got injured, Achilles, and went off to be replaced by Paul Whitcher. But, give him his due, I gave him a man to mark and he stayed with him and made it difficult all game.
Skilt's then went at half-time and was replaced by Carl who played a defensive midfield role and generally got in the way a bit of the attackers. We kept to mainly long range efforts which Martin H snuffed out easily. They had a few efforts but nothing really troubled the keeper except one were he'd had to come to the attacker who lobbed him, but luckily I had wandered back and chested it off for a corner which they wasted.
Then James did his achilles and was replaced by Si Edwards, who coped quite comfortably too. Basically, they had very little to trouble us with and if Sam had have been fully fit we would have easily scored 5 or 6 I reckon because we played so many good decisive passes between defenders for Sam to chase that he would had a field day.
Every single player made a valuable contribution, Dave Parkins and Rich P looked solid at centre back, both full backs coped pretty well with what came there way. Its a shame James is injured because he was looking a very good player. Midfield with whichever players were in it worked hard, closed down and pushed forward well. Sam was still a threat even carrying his injury.
Monday, 21 September 2009
Lindford 7 - Chawton Athletic 1
The short trip across to Broxhead Common found the Chawton Athletic players in confident mood after last week's morale boosting victory of Royal Exchange (match details for this game should be posted on this site once I have them), to take on Lindford.
The sun was shining and all was well with the world as Chawton kicked off against the side, whom last year under the guise of Wey Valley Sunday had seriously dented Athletic's confidence on three separate occasions.
This time it was Athletic who took the bull by the horns and as Lindford struggled to get there passing game going it was Athletic who should have taken the lead as a great ball across feel to Pat who forced the Lindford keeper into a smart save down to his right, and it would be the last time he came to Lindford's rescue.
Athletic; though perhaps riding their luck on occasion; were matching their better organised opponents and Si anchoring midfield looked likely to create Athletic another chance. Bob and new signing Toby up front led the line well, but the Lindford centre back dealt with most threats well, including winning virtually everything in the air.
Lindford took the lead with 25 minutes gone, as a slick one-two was tucked past the unlucky Martin in the Athletic goal. Despite the setback Athletic did not allow their heads to drop and worked hard to get back into the game. Sadly it was Lindford who were next to trouble the scorers as a near post corner was diverted into his own goal just ahead of the striker by Carl, very unfortunate for the industrious right midfielder.
Chawton soon had something to cheer about as they broke clear down their right and Carl's left-footed cross was swept home tidily by Toby, nothing less than Athletic deserved, not perhaps for technical ability but for grit and determination.
Lindford came back strongly and were slowly putting the squeeze onto Athletic and it was not long before another through ball saw a spinning Lindford forward cheekily back-heel the ball past the on-rushing Martin.
The heads were starting to drop a little now and Lindford stepped up their dominance of the midfield and added a fourth as a wildly dragged cross shot fell into the path of the forward who finished first time into the corner.
There was time for an excellent Si chipped and curled effort to be turned round the post by the Lindford keeper, it looked destined for the top corner and was a great save indeed.
Lindford added a 5th before half time with a long range effort.
Chawton despite the scoreline were upbeat at half time, knowing that they could create chances if they kept plugging away, but again it was Lindford that made the early break through, almost mirroring the finish of the 5th but this longer range effort was curled into the opposite corner.
Keeper Martin was replaced due to injury and Matt took his place making his debut for the season.
The game quietened down a bit and although Lindford always looked dangerous on the break, the game was won and this allowed Athletic back into the game. Several passages of play went the Chawton men's way and again the keeper did well to keep a Si header out. Athletic forced corners and created half chances but Lindford created chances of their own and Matt did well to turn a cross short round the post and to close down a one-on-one and save well.
Lindford finally added to their tally as a goal kick came straight back to the Lindford sub who fired past a slightly out of position Matt into his near post.
Blog man of the Match was Si in midfield, an excellent effort indeed, lots of energy and very unlucky not to have scored at least once.
Next week Chawton are away to Royal Exhange this time in the Cup.
The sun was shining and all was well with the world as Chawton kicked off against the side, whom last year under the guise of Wey Valley Sunday had seriously dented Athletic's confidence on three separate occasions.
This time it was Athletic who took the bull by the horns and as Lindford struggled to get there passing game going it was Athletic who should have taken the lead as a great ball across feel to Pat who forced the Lindford keeper into a smart save down to his right, and it would be the last time he came to Lindford's rescue.
Athletic; though perhaps riding their luck on occasion; were matching their better organised opponents and Si anchoring midfield looked likely to create Athletic another chance. Bob and new signing Toby up front led the line well, but the Lindford centre back dealt with most threats well, including winning virtually everything in the air.
Lindford took the lead with 25 minutes gone, as a slick one-two was tucked past the unlucky Martin in the Athletic goal. Despite the setback Athletic did not allow their heads to drop and worked hard to get back into the game. Sadly it was Lindford who were next to trouble the scorers as a near post corner was diverted into his own goal just ahead of the striker by Carl, very unfortunate for the industrious right midfielder.
Chawton soon had something to cheer about as they broke clear down their right and Carl's left-footed cross was swept home tidily by Toby, nothing less than Athletic deserved, not perhaps for technical ability but for grit and determination.
Lindford came back strongly and were slowly putting the squeeze onto Athletic and it was not long before another through ball saw a spinning Lindford forward cheekily back-heel the ball past the on-rushing Martin.
The heads were starting to drop a little now and Lindford stepped up their dominance of the midfield and added a fourth as a wildly dragged cross shot fell into the path of the forward who finished first time into the corner.
There was time for an excellent Si chipped and curled effort to be turned round the post by the Lindford keeper, it looked destined for the top corner and was a great save indeed.
Lindford added a 5th before half time with a long range effort.
Chawton despite the scoreline were upbeat at half time, knowing that they could create chances if they kept plugging away, but again it was Lindford that made the early break through, almost mirroring the finish of the 5th but this longer range effort was curled into the opposite corner.
Keeper Martin was replaced due to injury and Matt took his place making his debut for the season.
The game quietened down a bit and although Lindford always looked dangerous on the break, the game was won and this allowed Athletic back into the game. Several passages of play went the Chawton men's way and again the keeper did well to keep a Si header out. Athletic forced corners and created half chances but Lindford created chances of their own and Matt did well to turn a cross short round the post and to close down a one-on-one and save well.
Lindford finally added to their tally as a goal kick came straight back to the Lindford sub who fired past a slightly out of position Matt into his near post.
Blog man of the Match was Si in midfield, an excellent effort indeed, lots of energy and very unlucky not to have scored at least once.
Next week Chawton are away to Royal Exhange this time in the Cup.
Monday, 7 September 2009
Hartley Wintney 5 - Chawton Athletic 0
So a brand new Farnham and District Sunday league season kicked off yesterday, with Athletic facing a familiar foe in Hartley Wintney, the side they opened their inaugural season against last year.
Chawton, who's side boasted some new faces, started brightly and were working hard across the midfield and were restricting their opposition to more speculative long range efforts, most of which were off target but those on target were safely dealt with by new keeper Lee P.
Athletic, though on the back foot for lengthy periods, were able to make inroads into a Wintney side that were being caught going forwards and an early snap shot from Sam nearly lead to the deadlock being broken. Si E was particularly energetic as Athletic's forward efforts stemmed from the right hand side. But it was Wintney who finally took the lead cruelly just moments before half time as finally Athletic were opened up down the left hand side Paul I being left with two men to mark and despite Lee narrowing the angle the ball rifled it's way past him. Still 1-0 at half time was a superb effort and Athletic were well in the game still and had ambitions of snatching an equaliser as they kicked off for the second half.
Sadly the early season energy levels favoured Wintney who had managed a handful of pre-season friendlies to Athletic's none and they soon began to take control of the game. Athletic kept plugging away, Pat worked very hard throughout the whole game and was unlucky not to prevent a goal when he harried and chased back all the way to the edge of the box, but a little misfortune saw the ball ricochet to the feet of a Wintney striker who made no mistake.
Nothing really went Athletic's way, Paul I was caught late on the edge of the Athletic box as he intelligently turned his man, only for the referee to wave play on, collect the loose ball and finish well.
Lee had little really to do other than collect the odd cross, but did do well to close the angle and save well as the Wintney striker bore down on goal.
A quick throw on and great work from Pat saw the ball cut back for Sam, but his close range snap shot was saved by an under worked Wintney keeper.
So the final score was 5-0 to Wintney, possibly a little flattering as although they dominated possession and looked the better side, Athletic doggedly hassled and harried them and were perhaps unlucky to lose by such a big margin.
Blog man of the match was James on debut, who had a great game at right back, well done James.
Next week's game sees Athletic visit their new home ground at Binstead as they plays hosts to Royal Exchange, a side that they beat twice and lost once last year. 10:30am kick off.
Up the Chawton!!
Chawton, who's side boasted some new faces, started brightly and were working hard across the midfield and were restricting their opposition to more speculative long range efforts, most of which were off target but those on target were safely dealt with by new keeper Lee P.
Athletic, though on the back foot for lengthy periods, were able to make inroads into a Wintney side that were being caught going forwards and an early snap shot from Sam nearly lead to the deadlock being broken. Si E was particularly energetic as Athletic's forward efforts stemmed from the right hand side. But it was Wintney who finally took the lead cruelly just moments before half time as finally Athletic were opened up down the left hand side Paul I being left with two men to mark and despite Lee narrowing the angle the ball rifled it's way past him. Still 1-0 at half time was a superb effort and Athletic were well in the game still and had ambitions of snatching an equaliser as they kicked off for the second half.
Sadly the early season energy levels favoured Wintney who had managed a handful of pre-season friendlies to Athletic's none and they soon began to take control of the game. Athletic kept plugging away, Pat worked very hard throughout the whole game and was unlucky not to prevent a goal when he harried and chased back all the way to the edge of the box, but a little misfortune saw the ball ricochet to the feet of a Wintney striker who made no mistake.
Nothing really went Athletic's way, Paul I was caught late on the edge of the Athletic box as he intelligently turned his man, only for the referee to wave play on, collect the loose ball and finish well.
Lee had little really to do other than collect the odd cross, but did do well to close the angle and save well as the Wintney striker bore down on goal.
A quick throw on and great work from Pat saw the ball cut back for Sam, but his close range snap shot was saved by an under worked Wintney keeper.
So the final score was 5-0 to Wintney, possibly a little flattering as although they dominated possession and looked the better side, Athletic doggedly hassled and harried them and were perhaps unlucky to lose by such a big margin.
Blog man of the match was James on debut, who had a great game at right back, well done James.
Next week's game sees Athletic visit their new home ground at Binstead as they plays hosts to Royal Exchange, a side that they beat twice and lost once last year. 10:30am kick off.
Up the Chawton!!
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