AFC.Wanderers 6 - Chawton Athletic 3

Chawton's longest away trip of the season, over to Broadwater School in Farncombe, had been in the balance up until Friday afternoon as player numbers were staggeringly low due to injury and other commitments, but a late surge saw Athletic turn up at new boys to the league AFC Wanderers with 13 players.

Utility Player/Manager Matt is still sadly a frustrated spectator, as his knee injury will now require further treatment and many others have been injured for the last weeks, with the list growing with every game!

Athletic lined up in usual order, with Sam ploughing a lone furrow up front and Skilts sat in front of the back four for additional protection.

Athletic started the game the brighter; they were quickly into a passing game which perhaps had been missing earlier on in the season.  They forced the home side into conceding a few corners, none of which would fall to the Chawton attackers in the box.  But it was Wanderers who took an undeserved lead, as a long ball through was allowed to bounce by the hesitant Athletic defence and after several attempted clearances it fell to the edge of the box where it was looped over the keeper and into the back of the net.





Athletic refused to allow their heads to drop despite the very early set back, and were soon on level terms as great skill and a low shot inside the post gave the Wanderers keeper no chance.

The Yellows were revelling in their new found equality and pushed forward meaningfully, only to be caught again on the break.  The Wanderers striker did well to clip over the advancing Athletic keeper.

It was another setback, but still Athletic knew they were playing well enough and were again level soon after.   A marauding Skilts burst through the static Wanderers midfield and let fly on goal, seeing his slightly dragged shot finding Sam on the edge of the box who controlled excellently before slotting round a helpless keeper.

Athletic pressed forward seeking a third and forced several corners.  They let fly a couple of times, the keeper doing very well to tip one shot onto the bar. Still Chawton were not having it all their own way as Wanderers were looking dangerous on the break and the Athletic keeper did well on several occasions to tip onto the post and collected through balls well. AFC came closest to adding to the score line when a shot again ricocheted off the post and across the line before being smothered by the thankful keeper.

2 - 2 at the break and Athletic knew the game was there for the taking, and started the second half looking the likely winners, Robbie was breaking play up in the middle of midfield and was revelling in the space afforded to him, several of his through balls were only just cut out by the last Wanderers defender, but the goal was coming and the next through ball was rammed home.

3-2 up and it was surely a matter of how many Athletic would score whilst ensuring they kept tight at the back?  Sadly Chawton's frailties at the back returned and as the midfield pushed on to press home the advantage, Wanderers stole their way back into the game; good finishing again from Wanderers but disappointment from Athletic.

The game was well and truly stretched now and it had turned into both sides playing with three or four players caught up front in a strange kind of Attackers v Defenders training type session.  It was Wanderers quality with the final ball that was telling as they added a fourth and then a fifth, Athletic's final ball fell away a little and only half chances fell their way.

Manager Matt made a couple changes to covered some injuries, with Bob replacing Paul I and a still-not-fully-fit Carl replacing Ryan in the closing stages.

A sixth was added before the end, as a free kick managed to elude everyone and nestled into the far corner.  This completed a thoroughly undeserved 3 - 6 scoreline for Athletic, who will be hoping for a similar performance next week as they visit Morley Road next week in the Runwick Cup.  Hopefully a fuller squad will be available to choose from.

Special mention for referee, Dave Osborn, who had an excellent game indeed, allowing the game to flow well.  In fact he only had to give three or four free kicks during the whole of the game, a testament to the players for playing the game in a great spirit.

Blog Man of the Match was Robbie in the middle of the park who, despite playing on Saturday as well, worked tirelessly and controlled the midfield and made us look dangerous.