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.
1 comment:
Absolutely gutted not to have taken it to extra time. A couple of key moments in the second half went against us and ultimately gave them the game.
My ankle bloody hurts. My nose bloody hurts. My pride has taken a dent, but we'll come back!
Up the Chawton!
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