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.