Chawton Athletic again faced another short away trip to Bordon for this "tough on paper" looking Farnham and District Sunday League fixture against the Royal Oak.
Injuries again having robbed Chawton of several members of the squad, it was still great to see Si E and Rich P cheering the boys on from the touchline. Athletic headed into the game with just 12, but with George already struggling for injury and substitute Carl not fit to start, having twisted an ankle the previous week.
Lee returned in goal and Bob and Pat returned in midfield and defence respectively, so Matt I took a lone role up front with Scott, Rob and Ryan added to the squad as emergency signings.
Athletic started the brighter and created the first clear cut opening of the game as a great lay off to Bob saw him float a special ball into the middle, picking Matt out who rose well between the Oak centre backs; but failed to keep his header down, a glorious opportunity gone begging early for Athletic.
Oak really had not started and were ineffectual against a well drilled Athletic midfield, marshaled well once again by Si H. Athletic were fortunate not to fall behind against the run of play, great defensive play and a super block from Lee, followed by a clearance off the line by Martin maintained the deadlock.
The next golden chance fell Matt's way again, as an excellent lobbed pass from Si H set him free on goal, defensive cover closed Matt down and his volleyed 15 yard effort left the keeper a spectator but narrowly cleared the bar.
George's troublesome thigh flared up and he was replaced by the already struggling Carl on the left hand side of midfield.
Oak were extremely fortunate to take the lead, as Bob's excellently timed tackle was harshly deemed to be a foul and the resulting whipped free kick saw the ball ricochet off of Martin past a helpless Lee.
Oak quickly added a second and third, but Athletic were more than a match during period of the first half and were unlucky to find themselves behind at all, let alone 3 down. Another excellent ball through saw Rob burst through on goal, he brilliantly rode a couple of challenges before slotting past the Oak keeper.
3-1 at half time and Athletic were right to be a) Disappointed to be behind and b) Spurred on by the first half performance which was one of the better ones I had seen the boys put in.
Athletic were quick on the attack at the start of the second half and definitely had the Oak back four rattled as Rob then Matt again went close, perhaps; though a little harshly as the keeper saved well both times; they both could have done a little better. A succession of very tight offsides thwarted Athletic as the Oak pushed up and left acres of space behind a slightly frail looking back four.
Chances were still coming the Oak way though a mixture of poor finishing, good cosing down and a great save by Lee, saw the score remain at 3-1.
Athletic were pushing the Oak all the way and were starting to get under the skin of the Oak, who gave needless free kicks away, one of which was a fairly poor shoulder charge against Scott when well placed, the subsequent free kick sadly coming to nothing. As Athletic started to look to get a grip on the game, Oak finally hammered the final nail on the coffin as a near post ball was converted past Lee.
Athletic kept pushing on, and forced several corners as the game counted down, in fact probably forced the lion's share of corners across the 90 minutes.
The referee finally blew the final whistle on an exhausted and slightly disappointed Athletic, difficult to say on balance that Athletic did not deserve to lose this tie, as Oak made many chances and ultimately took 4 of them, but the effort the boys showed and the clear cut opportunities they created, on a different day it could have been a more positive outcome.
Blog Man of the Match was Bob, who narrowly pipped the ever excellent Si "Spider Head" H, who was at the heart of the majority of Athletic's attacking play. Bob never gave up and never seemed to stop running, creating two great opportunities for himself, and was quick to get a foot in a break up the play.
Athletic finally return home next week after three away games as they play host to Morley Road next Sunday, hopefully Matt, George and Carl will recover sufficiently from this week's knocks to take an active part in proceedings and also hoping that Paul I, Rich T and perhaps Si E may return, though it may be that Rich P may still need to rest his pulled thigh muscle. Thanks Rich P for running the line.
Up the Athletic!! Another performance like today next week against Morley Road should see a very good opportunity to take another 3 points!
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