Chawton Athletic returned a much drier, only slightly less windy but equally muddy Binsted pitch to meet Blue Bell for the first time this season.
Finally managing to name fourteen players, with the signings of Steve, Simon P and Keith, Chawton were keen to put last week's disappointment behind them.
Lining up in unusual fashion with two up front and a regular two lines of four, Matt returned in goal after an absence of four weeks missing through injury.
Chawton started the brighter with Marc, Simon P, Si H and Steve dominating the early exchanges with the ball on the floor and superb triangles working the Blue Bell midfield around.
The game ebbed and flowed but with Athletic definitely the first to get into their stride. They deservedly took the lead as a late arriving Martin connected sweetly with a Si H corner to power home. Chawton pressed home their advantage and had their more esteemed opponents well and truly rattled. The Athletic midfield four were totally in control and were outplaying the Blue Bell.
Blue Bell's first opportunity of the game saw a good left handed diving save from Matt and subsequent clearance, that much sought after first clean sheet still possibility for the Athletic keeper. Sadly that dream was shattered a few minutes later as a lofted long ball into the box saw a looping header just clear the desperate keeper.
Chawton were never likely to allow that set back to disrupt their flow and confidence and they immediately set back about the Blue Bell, eager to regain their advantage and they duly struck right back as Keith chased a great ball through, harassed the defender and keeper into an error and top scorer Sam tucked away the loose ball into an empty net.
The Yellows were not finished and a brilliantly measured long ball took out the whole of the Blue Bell defence, Keith's superbly timed run allowed him to race clear and finish with great aplomb indeed.
Athletic crafted several other half chances but finished the half with a very deserved 3-1 lead.
The second half saw the return of the strong wind across the Binsted pitch, but Athletic were immediately back in control. Simon P, Si H and Steve were passing the ball around beautifully leaving the Blue Bell powerless to regain a foothold back in the game.
Chawton should have pressed home their advantage but the Blue Bell keeper did well to keep an excellent crafted opportunity from Si H.
Blue Bell edged their way back into the game a touch, the wind adding to the difficulties for the Chawton keeper and back four, and Matt was called into action from a dangerous in-swinging corner. Blue Bell were handed an exceptionally fortuitous lifeline as the referee interpreted a ball smashed into Paul I's midriff from three yards as handball. The subsequent penalty was tucked past brother Matt to make it 3-2 to Athletic.
The pressure was on it's way, but when the Blue Bell did find a way through the Chawton midfield, the back five of Rich P, Martin S, Dave P, Paul I and keeper Matt mopped up any danger without much concern.
The chances were still falling Athletic's way, and the game should have been dead and buried long before Sam added Athletic's fourth with another brilliant finish, a smashed dipping drive which left the Blue Bell keeper with no chance.
Blue Bell made for a tense finish as a great pass found the marauding holding midfielder, who's excellent first touch allowed him to finish past Matt.
Chawton saw out the last ten minutes with no problems and could easily have added further goals as Pat replaced Keith, and immediately set about the right back and was unlucky not to have chipped the keeper.
Si E replaced Dave and settled well back into right back and George replaced Marc with a few minutes to go.
The referee played what felt like a lifetime of added time, a full EIGHT minutes, but Athletic deservedly held on to take the game 4-3.
Man of the Match was impossible to decide and would be unfair on the others as today's victory was a superb team effort, though special mention must surely go to the three debutantes, Simon P, Steve and Keith and also once again to the free-scoring Sam.
Roll on next week with another visit to Farnham College to play Morley Road. 09:15 sharp meet at Alton Station, Matt I will be in touch Tuesday.
Well done Athletic!!
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