Morley Road 3 - Chawton Athletic 3

Meetings between these two sides this season have have been a bit of mixed bag, with Morley Road taking the league fixture at Binsted 5-2, whilst Athletic hit back just two weeks later to claim a place in the semi final of the cup with a hard fought, 10 man, 1-0 victory at Farnham College.  So the possibility of a tight contest was on many cards before kick off.

The Farnham College pitch was a little cut up from previous weeks, but perfectly playable and so the 14 men of Chawton Athletic lined up with intense anticipation.  The whistle went and Morley Road immediately got into their stride and Athletic were quick to enter into the festive spirit by gifting the home side the lead with barely a few minutes gone!

A quick one-two found the Morley left winger through and he finished with aplomb past a helpless Skilts. A hammer blow right at the start but, like many games, at least the goal came early there was plenty of time for Athletic to drag themselves back into the game.

Morley still looked dangerous, but Si, Scott and Marc were breaking the play up very effectively in the midfield and launching dangerous looking counter attacks that just lacked a touch of composure for the final ball.

The game was looking fairly even, both side probing in midfield despite the slightly sticky conditions, but it was Athletic who made the breakthrough as Sam's thunderous 25 yard strike whistled into the corner, 1-1 and deservedly so.

The game ebbed and flowed with both sides having glimpses of the opposition goal, Skilts doing brilliantly to turn over an excellent effort, but Si H going exceptionally close from 45 yards as the Morley Keeper's poor clearance feel to the Athletic Midfielder who struck the ball first time but the effort agonisingly cleared the crossbar.

It was Morley who re-took the lead as the Athletic scrambling defence came under pressure, and Marc's swivel to clear caught the Morley right winger, the collision was purely accidental, in fact it seems totally unlikely that the Athletic man was even aware of the attacked behind him. The referee had no real choice but to point to the spot and it was tucked away.

Athletic pushed on and Sam stung the hands of the Morley keeper with another excellent strike, but half time came with Morley edging it at 2-1.

Athletic were well and truly in the game, discussions about keeping shape and the back four sticking to the plan added steel to the second half fight as Athletic looked to get back on level terms, and the goal looked likely to come.  Pat, having replaced the injured Dave at half time, and Si E, settling back into right back, were linking well up the right hand side and several dangerous looking positions were created.

But against the run of play Morley added perhaps an undeserved third as the through-ball slipped in the number 10, who looked beyond the last man, but who calmly squared for an easy tap in.

Tempers were flaring, the ground conditions and the importance of playing a direct rival seemed to be a monkey on the back of the 22 on the pitch and the referee did well to keep a lid on things.

Chawton struck back as yet another Morley Road foul gave Si H a 25 yard strike on goal.  He expertly curled a pacy strike to the back post top corner, the Morley keeper shuffled across and looked favourite to snuff out any danger, but perhaps the setting sun or the presence of the on-rushing Athletic players caught his eye because he could only palm the ball up into the air. The Athletic players challenged with him, the ball bounced up again before being rammed into the roof of the net by Scott. 3-2 and it was game on!.

Marc made way for Carl as Chawton pressed on looking for the equaliser.  Pat raided well down the right, skipping past challenges before driving for the byline.  His cut back was spilled by the Morley keeper, who really wasn't having the best of days, and Kevin swiveled and smashed it home.  3-3 and Athletic really had their tails up now.

They surged into the Morley half, break after break; Scott and Si H simply irresistible in the middle of midfield.  They were breaking up the play and launching wave after wave of counter attack, with the back four were sticking to the plan and there looked only one winner.

Morley Road re-grouped and with five minutes to go finally carved an opportunity of their own and slick interplay found the sub five yards from goal with Skilts to beat; it was easier to score than to have slotted wide.  But wide it went...

The game was stretched and the pitch heavier than ever both Sam and Si H went down with cramp, Sam's as Athletic were countering once again.

The last chance of the game fell to Morley as a low swerving shot seemed to travel into slow motion destined for the corner, but a desperately scrambling Skilts somehow got a strong palm to turn round the post.

And so the final whistle, Morley Road 3 - Chawton Athletic 3.  Athletic head into the mid-season break still in 7th, but now with 7 points; just 3 points behind Morley Road but having now played 10 games to the Farnham side's 8.

Special mentions for excellent performances go to:
Skilts, two brilliant saves that kept us in the game.
Paul I, who showed the pace and position that certainly I am used to and was lightning to snuff out any danger.
Si E, who's second half performance epitomized what Chawton Athletic is all about.
Pat, who's appearance at half time added a dribbling danger to the Athletic counter attacks.

But Blog Man of the Match goes to Scott, who must have intercepted twenty passes in the first half alone, was the back bone of the midfield (ably assisted by the as usual excellent Si H), and who deservedly scored.

The next game is due to be AFC Wanderers at home on the 3rd January. I will be in touch about trying to gather everyone together for pre-Christmas drinks.