Chawton Athletic Football Club: January 2010

Chawton Athletic returned to action after five weeks of being foiled by the snow and frost with the re-arranged fixture against A.F.C Wanderers at Binsted.

Matt I returned in goal after injury, freeing Skilts to return to the pitch; taking over at right back for the ill Dave P.

Athletic started strongly, with Si H and Si P controlling the middle of the park, and were soon creating chances for Sam who was unlucky with several efforts. The game remained open but with Athletic definitely in the ascendancy. Half chance after half chance forced Wanderers onto the back foot. Each Wanderers goal kick was won in the air by the two Si's which set Athletic back on the attack.

Wanderers slowly came back into the game and Matt was forced into smothering at the feet of the on-coming forward. This was his first meaningful touch on the ball and came after fully ten minutes.

Athletic went close again and again and it seemed only a matter of time that their efforts were to gain some reward, but it was Wanderers who made the breakthrough. A dangerous near post corner found it's way through the crowd and was turned home from six yards beating both Matt and Rich P on the line. Chawton's profligacy in front of goal was looking as though it may haunt them.

Athletic still looked the more likely to score, but Wanderers had upped their game and were looking dangerous on the break. Si H again went close as his effort just cleared the bar.

Athletic did eventually even the score as Si H's excellent ball allowed Sam to control the ball and spin past his man to bury coolly past the Wanderers keeper. Both sides were countering each other and chances were thin on the ground and so half time came with the scores even at 1-1.

Wanderers started the better in the second half, but their possession in the Chawton half did not create anything to concern the returning Matt and it was Athletic who struck first/ A dangerously floated corner was brilliantly met by Si P. His header was tipped against the bar, only to fall to the feet of Sam who's effort deflected in off of the hapless defender on the line.

Chawton pressed forward looking to kill the game. Scott and Marc were working the flanks excellently, and the interplay between all four of the midfielders was a joy to behold. Skilts, Rich P, Matt S and Paul I were looking untroubled at the back.

Wanderers finally forced an opportunity which Matt did well to block for a corner with his feet and the resulting set piece was dealt with. The ever industrious Gilly made way for George (another great shift from the veteran striker) and it was George who opened up a two goal cushion for Athletic. A short back pass to the Wanderers keeper allowed Sam to steal in and his well timed slide enabled him to square for a totally unmarked George to walk the ball home into an unguarded net.

Matt S picked up a slight injury and was replaced by Carl, who took Scott's berth on the right hand side of midfield. Skilts moved across to his more familiar outfield role of centre back and Scott dropped back to right fullback.

Still Athletic poured forward, the game was beginning to get stretched as a heavy pitch and over a month away from the game started to take it's toll on the Athletic players. Wanderers were finding a little more time and space on the break and it was one of those breaks that saw Matt I beaten again, this time a long range left footed strike left the Athletic keeper grasping at thin air as the ball lobbed him. 3-2 and it really could go either way.

Wanderers continued to maintain pressure on the break without creating and it was Athletic that nearly scored again as a shot clipped the post.

The game remained open and it was Scott who finally killed the game off, as his powerful run was bought to a halt by a clumsy tackle in the box. He tried to stay on his feet, but finally gravity won the battle, leaving the referee no hesitation but to point to the spot. Scott invoked penalty winners rule and took the kick himself and made no mistake. 4-2 to Athletic.

Wanderers had a couple of half chances late on, one of which only just slid past the far post, and a corkscrewing shot well handled by Matt.

And so the final whistle. As with most of Athletic's victories this season, the whole team played superbly well but Blog Man of the Match goes to Simon P who was sensational in the middle of the park.

Si P - blog man of the match!

Chawton Athletic stay in 7th place in the league, but have drawn level on points with sixth place Morley Road on 10 points.

Just three league matches remain for the Yellow's this season but it's a return to a twice postponed fixture as Athletic host the Royal Exchange in the quarter final of the Division 1 cup next Sunday at Binsted. All players will be hoping for better weather than when they first attempted to play the game when torrential rain and wind bought proceedings to a premature halt.