Bluebell 5 - Athletic 2

Chawton slipped wearily to defeat against the Bluebell on Sunday.  A great turn out saw Athletic with a full compliment of fourteen with only Si P, who was attending Southampton's big day at Wembley, and Sam who seemed otherwise engaged, not making the trip.

It was Athletic's first game since February 14th; their opponents had been busier having played two games in March already.  Ultimately, it's was that match sharpness that was the major factor in the game.

The Yellows switched things round a little, with Marc joining Bob up front, Gilly moving to the bench.  Ryan took a starting berth on the left hand side with Carlos on the right and Si E sitting in at right back.

Bluebell nearly had a dream start as a lofted curling lob nearly caught the Athletic 'keeper but Matt was relatively quickly back into position to palm against the post and avert the danger.

Chawton took over and all looked good, Si H and Scott in the centre of midfield were creating space and openings all around the Bluebell and it was not long before Athletic were marauding forward dangerously.  Slowly Bluebell came back into the game, their slick two touch passing and movement was causing problems out wide for Athletic and with veteran Ed up front for Bluebell holding the ball up and feeding the wide-men, they began to look threatening.

Bluebell took the lead when Athletic were unable to clear a scuffed free kick into the box, Ed swiveling to hook over his shoulder from four yards past a helpless Matt.  It was unfortunate but probably deserved for Athletic, who had just gone off the boil.

Bluebell quickly settled back into the stride and subsequently never fell back out of it.  Athletic were always going to struggle against a very well organised and talented side and so when again a second ball was returned back into the mixer and an unmarked Bluebell forward nodded home from close range it all started to look rather ominous.

Matt did well to palm a well struck shot destined for the corner, around the post and the subsequent corner was dealt with.  Bob created a chance for himself but fired low and hard to the near post and the Bluebell keeper saved well.

Bluebell were slicing Athletic open on the flanks, their movement just too hot to handle and it was a one two down the line that led to Bluebell's third as Matt, anticipating the cross, left his near post slightly too open and it was easy for the winger to roll the ball home.

Bluebell added a fourth as a well placed 18 yarder left Matt with no chance.

Ryan picked up a groin injury and was replaced by George just before half time. Gilly and Rich P replaced Carlos and Bob, with the score at 0-4 and Athletic reverted to one up front and five across the midfield to try and negate the Bluebell's movement and get a foothold back into the game.

It worked to a degree, though in part to playing slightly deeper, Athletic drew Bluebell onto them leaving acres of space behind their back four.  The game was now very open and with Marc sitting in front of the midfield four, George on the left wing, Si on the right wing, Skilts to right back and Rich P alongside Matt S at centre back, Athletic looked to start again.

Athletic were offered a lifeline as Si H's beautiful long range free kick beat the keeper and may or may not have nudged the keeper before hitting the back of the net, Si's goal according to the blog meister... and the dubious goals panel probably agreed!

Athletic were now looking far more dangerous and were extremely unlucky not to reduce the deficit more as Scott was found by a glorious through-ball but his lob came back off of the post.  At that moment Athletic would have been good value for a second goal, and despite Bluebell's attacking potential, Matt was mostly a spectator in the second half as Bluebell's composure started to wain, though Matt did well to palm a well struck shot round the post.

Marc was very unfortunate not to race clear as he beat the last Bluebell defender to a loose crossfield pass, only to be brought down; the referee perhaps could have taken stronger action than to just award the free kick.

Sadly it was not to last as a ball across the Athletic box saw an unmarked forward slot home to add a fifth for the home side.

Athletic still had time to force several dangerous looking corners, Si H swung the ball over, Si E glanced it goalwards and via Skilt's knee, the ball hit the back of the net.

Man of the match was Si E, who ran and ran until his legs finally gave up with ten minutes to play.

Athletic have bigger concerns with the Cup Final on the 25th, but between now and then Athletic must face CSL Hartley Wintney on the 11th and Royal Exchange on the 18th.

Bluebell Away - Sunday 28th March

Chawton Athletic return to league action this Sunday, the 28th, as they travel to Liss looking to do the double over the Bluebell.

Victory for the Yellows will see them close the gap on their opponents to just three points and will maintain their position in the league table.

The Royal Exchange sit just four points behind Athletic and are mounting a dangerous late run to add some undesired pressure to the Yellows.  The Lindford men surprising Chawton's Runwick Cup final opponents, Royal Oak, last Sunday running out 3-1 winners.  With just three league games left to go and with Exchange and Athletic due to clash on the 18th April, it promises to be an exciting run in to the end of the season.

Athletic must re-focus after the excitement and distraction of cup competitions; Bluebell are a decent side and Athletic will need to be on top form to take anything from this fixture!

Runwick Cup Final.

Finally it appears that the Runwick Cup final date, kick and venue has been sorted (no promises though).

The league have now announced that this will now take place on the 25th April at CSL Hartley Wintney's Memorial Ground, with kick off at 2pm.

Directions to the ground and other details are shown below:

Hartley Wintney FC have their ground at The Memorial Playing Fields, Green Lane, Hartley Wintney, Hants RG27 8DL. The club has a modern covered stand with seating and a central area to accommodate wheelchairs. The pitch is fully floodlit and there is a well-equipped licensed clubhouse offering hot and cold drinks, bar food and snacks, as well as dual-zone large screen satellite TV.

Directions: On entering Hartley Wintney via the A30, take the turn at the mini roundabout signposted A323 Fleet.Take the 1st right turn, Green Lane, which has St John's Church on the corner.Continue down Green Lane for about 800 metres and turn right into the car park (the second entry slip road - the first you'll pass is the exit). This car park has a shared access with Greenfields School.Turn left at St John's Church if coming down the A323 from Fleet.

The players and officials of Chawton Athletic F.C. would very much appreciate your support on the big day and look forward to celebrating an excellent event no matter what the outcome.

Confusion over Runwick Cup Final Date, kick off time and Venue...

The official Farnham and District Sunday League website has now listed the Runwick Cup final as due to take place on Sunday the 18th April, with the kick off at 2pm.  It's also due to be played at Farnham Town's ground.  This is, obviously, a change to the original details.

Matt I is checking with the league as to whether this amendment to the published fixture details is correct and so Athletic are currently waiting for confirmation.

Once we know one way or the other this will, of course, be the first place you'll find out!  So you, in turn, can tell the hundreds of Chawton Fans who were coming along to support the Mighty Yellows at Wembley (Farnham)!!

To make way for the final, the league match at Royal Exchange has been put back to the following Sunday, the 25th April.

Chawton's Facebook Profile has Grown!

Chawton Athletic's presence on the social networking site, Facebook, has now grown with the addition of a Fanpage.  The group, which has been on there for quite some time, did not seem to take off... so an fan page has now been added, with match day photos being put up, as they are taken!

The direct link (Facebook account required) is this one or you can search for Chawton Athletic and look for the fan page with the squad photo!  Become a fan, and receive updates from the mighty Yellows!