Runwick Cup Final: Picture Special!

Pre-match chilling out!

Scott prepares for the big game.

Skipper for the cup final, Skilts, makes some pre-match kit checks!

Big centre back, Rich P, knocks the ball around with the kids.

We're under way, George tracks back with an Oak player.

An early Chawton corner is prepared.

Si H and Pat celebrate the first goal of the match with goalscorer, Scott!

Manager Matt I enjoyed that one too!

George keeps an eye out... while he still can!

Si H, by special request, looking more normal than usual!

Original right back, "Chopper" Dave checks his defence, with Paul I in the background.

Si E runs at the Oak defence with the ball.

Pat in an aerial battle with the Oak skipper.

Skilts collects the ball down low.

Wonka goes in for the tackle, as Pat observes.

Substitute Gilly and injured Bob enjoy the first half.

Si H in for the tackle in midfield.

Sam watches the ball down.

Sam, again, taking on the Royal Oak defence.

Scott blocks an Oak player's pass.

An Oak players heads the ball out for a corner under pressure from George.  Clearly had no faith in his keeper's ability to save the shot!

The Oak captain loses a header.

The second half sees Oak use any means possible to score!

Paul I chases a loose ball.

Rich P dribbles the ball out of defence.

... TIL WE DIE!

Chawton Athletic 2 - Royal Oak 6

A day of mixed emotions for a Chawton Athletic side, who rightly can be hold their heads high after tasting agonising defeat in the final of the Runwick Cup at Hartley Wintney FC.

The day had started magnificently and the team were in relaxed and buoyant mood as Bob the coach driver transported squad and supporters over to Hartley Wintney in comfort.  The new CAFC hoodies were handed out and a very smart looking squad watched on as the presentation for the Veterans Cup final took place, Villagereal pipping Cherry Tree 1-0 in a closely fought tussle.

Half an hour later and the dressing rooms were free and, having been given a choice, Athletic chose the larger "home" dressing room.  The whiteboard added a real sense of occasion to the announcement of the team and the "Arsenal" formation, adopted for the first time, set the team out as a 4-2-3-1.  Athletic had a steely and determined look in their eyes and were not here to make up the numbers.

Matt and Bob had not recovered from their respective injuries and could only watch on with pride as the two teams lined up in the "tunnel" and were lead out by the referee and his two officials.

The regulation hand shake for the teams came and went and the game was under way.  Athletic, lead by skipper Skilts, were kicking up the slight Hartley Wintney slope and into the wind and were quickly into their stride.

The narrow three midfielders of George, Pat and Scott squeezed the available space for the Royal Oak midfield four and with the added protection of Si E and Si H sat behind them, Athletic were mopping up Oak attacks and countering themselves.  It was going to be the ding-dong final the hundred or so spectators were craving!

Sam, marauding up front on his own, was causing the high sitting Oak back four mountains of problems, running, chasing and harrying mistakes as Athletic slowly edged into the ascendancy and it was not long before Athletic deservedly took the lead:

George's tireless effort down the left hand side of the three midfielders led to him taking a forceful blow from the ball in the face and left him slightly dazed for a few moments.  But, to his credit, he was back into the fray as he linked well with Sam and Si H with a neat interchange of passes.

A through-ball for Scott, and a terrible decision by the Oak skipper to attempt to shepherd the ball back to the keeper, saw Scott steal in and win the ball.  He got back to his feet and made it to the loose ball, managing to jab the ball into the empty net from fifteen yards.  A fantastic start for Athletic, who had clearly rattled their Bordon based rivals.

The game plan was working like an absolute charm, the closely positioned overlapping defence was competing for everything and suddenly Athletic were turning 50/50s into 55/45s in their favour.  Time and time again, Pat, Si E and Si H emerged with the ball and were attacking the halfway-line-sitting Oak back four.  Athletic had the opposition exactly where they wanted them:  high up the pitch with acres of open space for striker Sam to race into.

It was no real surprise when Athletic added to their tally, as a poor challenge gave the Yellows a free kick on the corner of the eighteen yard box.  Si H stepped up to magnificently curl a whipped ball into the bottom corner past a desperately diving Oak keeper.  2-0 and Athletic were worth every penny of that lead.

Oak tried to fight their way back into the game, sometimes a little too forcefully, but generally the game was flowing well.  Another break opportunity was only halted by the linesman's flag with Pat's slightly delayed pass to Sam.

One concern was creeping in to Athletic's game as Oak won a series of corners: a lack of aerial challenge saw the Oak right back win three in a row, one of which Skilts did well to tip over.

Oak thought they had finally managed to pull one back as a fiercely struck low shot, which was already being cheered by the meagre Oak support, was brilliantly turned round round the post by Skilts when it seemed a certain goal.  Buoyed by that Athletic were immediately back on the attack and forced a corner themselves, Pat forcing the Oak keeper into a class save of his own.

Half time came and George was very much now feeling the effects of the ball in the face; even Archie was concerned for him and visited him in the dressing room during the break.  His vision blurred in the eye forced him to step aside and he was replaced by Marc.

No back-slapping in the Athletic dressing room as the job was only half done, but the Yellows knew they had the Oak well and truly rattled and all they needed to do was put in another forty-five minutes like that and the cup would be theirs.

Oak must have been on the end of an Alex Ferguson style "hairdryer" at half time because they were waiting for Athletic as the yellows emerged from the dressing room, and it was Oak that immediately started the second half the better.  Their neat footballing triangles that had totally deserted them in the first half were now back, Athletic lost some shape and suddenly it was backs to the walls for the Yellows.

Finally, after forcing several more corners, the pressure showed and Athletic were breached by a twenty-five yard effort that took deflections off of both Wonka and Rich P to leave Skilts with no chance.  An unfortunate start to the first five minutes of the second half, but Athletic still led and were not going to go quietly.

Athletic poured forward as Oak had not learnt their lesson from the first half and were high up the pitch.  Sam controlled one through ball, turned, and ran at the Oak Skipper... with forty yards to goal Sam slipped into top gear, as he touched the ball past the defender and into the space behind, setting off after the ball like a greyhound after the hare!

The Oak skipper was in serious trouble, he knew we was about to be outstripped and totally embarrassed, so while the ball was not within his playing reach, he obstructed the Athletic striker - eventually bringing him down just inside the box.  Quite unbelievably, both the referee and linesman saw nothing wrong with the foul and the game played on.  A clear penalty and red card, Athletic would surely have re-opened a two goal lead and against ten men it could well have been game over...

...but alas that refereeing mistake soon bit the Athletic in the hardest possible way, as Oak levelled through a spot kick.  A dangerously crossed ball in struck Rich P's hand, and nobody would have disagreed with it being penalty until we heard that the referee thought it was accidental!  Another strange decision that could have gone in the Yellow's favour, but didn't.  The penalty was buried past Skilts, the scores were level and Oak suddenly had their tails up.

They took the lead from a close range header and Athletic knew they were up against it now.  Dave P picked up an injury and was replace by Gilly, with Si E slotting into right back.  The shape that had served Athletic so well in the first half had dissolved as they were starting to be run ragged by a well organised Oak team who had finally woken up.

Gilly and Si H were still holding strong and were breaking the play up and setting Athletic back on the attack, but Oak held firm and Athletic were left to rue some slightly mis-placed final balls.  Unfortunately, Oak added a fourth as a push on Skilts went unpunished and the resulting corner saw both the Athletic keeper and Wonka on the line fouled and the ball found the net direct, it seemed that everything was going against the Yellows.

Si E, struggling with injury, was replaced by Carl.  Pat had now become the third right back of the day for the Chawton.

The referee came back to the forefront of the game once again, having decided he was not involved enough, and gave Oak another penalty.  Gilly nicked the ball away from the sliding Oak player expertly and set off off up the park after the ball, only for play to be bought back and a penalty given.  The Oak player, lying prostrate on the ground as if he'd been shot in the head, disappointingly found his feet amazingly quickly once the decision had been given, justifying the Yellows' and their supporters' opinion of no actual contact in the tackle - even though it was clearly not a foul anyway.

The third inexplicable and unbelievable refereeing decision of the afternoon was ably punished by the Royal Oak skipper.  Astonishing stuff and so disheartening for an Athletic side who were being refereed out of a game they were still managing to be competing in - just.

Skilts' push for man of the match was clinched as a rasping, rising twenty-five yard screamer, seemed destined for the top corner, was clawed away and round the post magnificently by the Athletic keeper, save of the season - absolutely brilliant!

Athletic fought their way back on to the ball with Marc linking well with Sam and Scott down the left hand side, Marc's shot eventually blocked by a desperate lunge.

Oak had time to add a totally undeserved sixth and it left a bitter taste to the scoreline, as a corner floated to the edge of the box was volleyed in past the impeded Skilts.  It was obvious that the referee was not a goalkeeper in his playing days!

And so the final whistle: joy for the Royal Oak, this their ninth appearance in a cup final and only their first victory and disappointment and more than a little frustration for an Athletic side who, although may not have deserved victory, ultimately felt hard done by in the way the cup was lost.

A very well deserved and impromptu round of applause for Skilts as he joined the team for a private and informal gathering on the pitch, a proud day in the short history of Chawton Athletic Football Club.

Skilts lead the team up to receive their runners-up medals from Chairman of the League, Dave Parsells, and one of the original founders of the Farnham and District Sunday League, Andy Hobdell, but it was Oak's cup and the celebrations and Champagne started as the it was held aloft, ironically by the man who should have seen red not more than forty minutes earlier!

A subdued dressing room did not stay that way for long as the players soon realised what an incredible achievement it had been to fight their way, against all the odds, into the cup final and they retired to the bar to discuss the game.

Chawton Athletic would like to again thank Pat C for arranging the coach, George for arranging the hoodie printing and of course all the many supporters to turned up to shout, scream, clap, cheer and boo the referee.  I along with everyone was pleased to have been involved in such an amazing day!

And so the journey back to Alton, a couple or three beers at the Swan, where Athletic discovered that Lindford had been 4-0 too strong for Royal Exchange, and that meant Athletic had secured seventh spot with Exchange propping up the table.  The three league wins and one 3-3 draw away at Morley Road Academicals proving enough for the Yellows to improve on their league position from last year.

A fantastic curry and then a few more celebratory beverages in the Wheatsheaf and home.

Many thanks to everyone who has helped this year in whatever capacity, but especially to Carl for correcting my grammar and spelling on the blog, generally tarting it up and for adding the photos, some more of the final will be added separately!

Cup Final Details.

Chawton Athletic's final match of the season is Sunday's Runwick Cup final, against mid-table Royal Oak.  The game kicks off at 14:00 and is being played at Hartley Wintney's ground.

Prices for spectators are expected to be £4, with under-15s and OAPs receiving free entry.  The coach, leaving Alton at 11:00 is now FREE, so please invite all your friends and family!

The players will arrive in new CAFC hoodies, with a £15 contribution from each player expected to ease Manager Matt I's financial burden!

The team will be celebrating the season, come win or lose on Sunday, with a curry back in Alton afterwards.

Royal Exchange 5 - Chawton Athletic 1

Chawton Athletic headed into this, their final league game of the season, knowing that avoiding defeat would see them guarantee 7th position in the league; above their opponents, the Royal Exchange.

Exchange had surprised Athletic in the cup earlier in the season when a much improved Exchange squad took the field that day.  The new faces on that occasion doing the damage and so Athletic knew that this was no "walk in the park".

A change of venue, due to Bohunt's over eagerness which saw them take the goalposts down over Easter, led to the match being played at Lindford Sports ground.

It was not only the venue that changed, the team shifted slightly with Martin S taking the gloves in goal and Matt replacing the absent Sam in the central striking role.

Chawton set about their task with verve and elan.  Matt I's quick feet creating a half break as he skipped round the centre back.  Another piece of skill saw the Chawton man tripped.  The ref played on and the danger was cleared.  Athletic were quick to the ball and were finding some joy down the left hand side as Gilly, Matt, Si H and Marc were all linking well.

It seemed as though it would be an open game as Athletic poured forward and only an superbly timed tackle prevented Matt from striking at goal, the subsequent corner was cleared.  The ground was hard and with the ball bouncing high, Athletic were finding it slightly the harder to get the ball down and play.  But they were in the mix and fighting hard.

A poor clearing header by the Exchange centre back saw another Matt I's twenty-five yard strike on goal easily saved.

Athletic deservedly took the lead as neat ball through saw Gilly expertly lob the Exchange Keeper, the ball making that fantastic "ripping" noise as it slid down the inside of the roof of the net.  Athletic had something to hold on to and were good value for the lead.  They pressed forward and were unlucky not to add to their advantage.

A major turning point of the match then took place as Martin S expertly raced from his goal to clear only to be caught exceptionally late by the Exchange winger... the referee played on and Martin went down.  Clearly shaken he made his way slowly back to his goal but within minutes Exchange were level as a long range shot deflected in.

It was a body blow for Athletic who were probably the better side up until that point.

Athletic re-started and pressed forward, a good ball through saw Marc's lobbed effort drift wide.  Carlos' goal bound strike deflected off of his own man to safety.

But Exchange were coming back into the game with Athletic standing firm, repelling their attacks and countering themselves.  It was turning into a ding dong battle, but it was Exchange who took the advantage.  Allowed to run with the ball and not closed down, the Exchange left back struck a ferocious shot that flew past Martin despite an excellent effort.

Martin was really struggling and having checked the damage from the earlier foul and it seemed far more serious than first realised, so he departed to be replaced in goal by Matt I with John H taking Matt's place on pitch.

The changed line-up threw Athletic for a bit and they struggled to hold the ball up and it was in that period that Exchange added a third, as a shot evade Matt's outstretched hands and found the back of the net via the underside of the bar.

3-1 at half time, and the heat and surface were really starting to stifle Athletic.  Scott was replaced at half time by Ryan, and Athletic pushed forwards to try to get back into the game.  The second half was far more controlled than the first with chances for both teams at a premium, no longer end to end it became a war of attrition in midfield.

Exchange added a fourth from a thrown in, far too simply for Athletic's liking, as the somersaulted delivery stunned the Yellow's defence.  Two headers later and the ball was being picked out of the back of the net.  Outrageous.

Finally, Exchange exerted some control over the game as Athletic's legs tired.  It was from a free kick on the left hand edge of the Athletic box that Exchange added to their tally, a lack of chat led to the Exchange forward being left unmarked at the back post with the simple task of heading into the corner.  It left Matt with no chance.

The rest of the game fizzled out until Matt twisted his knee awkwardly right on the ninety minute mark, the week will see what his chances are for the final, with the keeper currently rating himself about 50/50.

Man of the Match was almost impossible to call as Athletic really did struggle to impose themselves on the game, but for his reading of the game the award goes to Rich P.

Royal Exchange v Chawton Athletic PREVIEW

Chawton Athletic head into their last league fixture needing just a point to ensure they finish in 7th position in the table.  They also look to bounce back after last week's performance against likely league champions, CSL Hartley Wintney.

Athletic are buoyed by the return of Scott D, Si H, Rich P, Paul I and John H, but the positives are tempered by Bob's injury, Pat and Steve D's unavailability and the continued uncertainty surrounding Sam.

A change to the line up sees Martin S take over the gloves in goal with Matt I taking a place on the bench. George will start up top alongside Gilly, with Si E, Si H, Scott D and Marc T-P in midfield in front of a back four of Dave P, Rich P, Matt S and Paul I.  Athletic have a full compliment of three subs.

Don't forget that the final is the Sunday after, the coach to take us there will leave from outside the Swan at around 11:30.  Please do not be late, but do please tell your friends and family!

M

Athletic 0 - CSL Hartley Wintney 8

A bright but slightly breezy day greeted both sides as they met once again at Binsted Rec; CSL keen for revenge after their surprise exit to Athletic in the Semi Final of the Runwick Cup, Athletic looking for a repeat.

Sadly it was CSL who left the happier as they ran out comfortable winners against a very weakened Chawton Athletic team.

With Si P and Si H absentees through injury, Paul I on holiday, Rich on a family visit, Sam H unavailable, Scott D unavailable, it all meant that Athletic were struggling for numbers.  But with Dave's arrival we at least had made it to twelve players.

A slightly changed CSL side to that amazing day in the cup perhaps should have been taken as a nod of respect to Athletic, who were keen to add the feather of spoiling CSL's titles dreams to their caps.

The inclement weather over the past few weeks followed by a sunny and warm spell had left the playing surface uneven and very tricky.  It was CSL who were quickly into their stride, their touch, control and passing on such a difficult surface was sublime and they were soon causing problems for Athletic.

Marc had slotted in to left back to replace Paul I, and was raiding down the wing, exchanging passes with Steve D and George.  Athletic were holding their own, albeit perhaps a little fortunately.

CSL took the lead after a defensive mix-up, Matt I's call of "keepers" in response to a wayward CSL through ball was hopeful at best and left Matt S waiting for the keeper's arrival, which never came.  As Matt S decided to clear his lines the CSL midfielder drove past him from the blind side and touched the ball away as Matt swung through, slipping the Wintney man and a penalty was rightly awarded.

A blow for Atheltic as they had bravely held CSL at bay for twenty minutes.  Could Matt I repeat his penalty heroics from the Semi Final..?  Sadly not.  A well taken penalty into the bottom corner left a flat footed Matt ruing his poor call.

CSL upped the tempo but were struggling to break down a resilient Athletic back line, Matt I's handling from corners was looking probably at it's very best.  Finally it was through a corner that CSL added to their lead as, unchallenged, the CSL player was allowed to powerfully head on goal from six yards.

A couple of mad scrambles from low whipped corners led to another good fingertip round the post.  But finally the pressure told again as a corner from the Chawton left evaded everyone and the CSL striker acrobatically turned it goalwards, Matt I's thumb not enough contact to prevent to ball finding the back of the net.

Chawton were really struggling with the movement of a well organised Wintney side and it looked as though they would add to their tally as they burst through on goal, Matt got the feintest of touches to the initial shot which hit the post and fell to an unmarked Wintney forward, four yards out with an open goal, but the Footballing gods momentarily changed allegiance as an unwelcome but timely bobble saw his shot hit the other post and the ball was scrambled clear.

Chances were coming thick and fast for CSL, but their efforts were either off target or within the reach of Matt who saved well several times.

Si E looked likely to to able to continue due to a groin injury but battled on manfully and when Bob unfortunately turned his ankle on the uneven surface just a few moments before half time and had to leave the field, Athletic knew they were well and truly up against it.

Bob was withdrawn at half time, with Dave taking his place.  It meant a whole new line up as Si E went to left back, Dave P to right back, Marc to left midfield, George up front and Gilly dropping back into midfield.

It was not long before CSL were on the attack again, Martin and Matt's both holding the line and battling for everything at the back, a few half chances came and went with Matt I again saving well.

But it was most definitely not to be Athletic's day as another whipped in corner saw a smart waist high back heeled volley scream past Dave P on the near post.

Chawton were still being caught advancing and it was no surprise that CSL added another as good passing and moving saw a well struck shot embarrass Matt as it whistled through his legs.

Though to be fair to the Athletic keeper he was the only player on the pitch at that exact moment facing the CSL goal, behind which a small place appeared to be making it's final approach to land on the pitch itself. Perhaps slightly distracted by the imminent disaster that appeared to be unfolding before his eyes, the plane changed direction and looked to be coming in for an emergency landing in the field next to the ground before powering up it's engine and flying away.

CSL had caused problems all day with their captain running the show from midfield, it looked like he plays a prominent role with the Hartley Wintney Saturday side, and it was him to added a sixth as his skilful run saw him finish into the far corner.

CSL decided to substitute their Keeper, as for the part of the second half he was sat leaning against his post, an outfielder came on and took his place and finally Athletic threatened as a long range Marc free kick had the Keeper struggling to hold on to the ball, Martin S followed in but his effort was blocked for a corner. A great ball in the from resulting corner was seen out by CSL for another corner, some pressure at last for Athletic, but despite another good ball in the danger was cleared.

CSL made two further substitutions, while the polar opposite was happening with Athletic as Gilly had to leave as he had tickets for the Pompey v Spurs F.A Cup semi final at Wembley.

CSL's young winger made an immediate impact by leaving his foot in on Matt I late, but then made a telling contribution as Chawton's weakened left hand side was exposed again and the winger's driven ball across the box was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Matt S.

The CSL skipper added an eighth, as he cut inside onto his left and only foot and smashed the ball past Matt, who, despite getting hands to the shot, was unable to prevent it from hitting the back of the net.

Man of the Match was shared between Si E and Steve D, both worked their socks off, Si E with an injury and despite the unfamiliarity of slotting in at left back leading to a clearance that nearly screamed into the top corner of his own goal, was solid, dependable and extremely hard working. Steve D worked the midfield so hard, the controlling and encouraging voice of the team, he deserved a better result.

Athletic face a crunch match next Sunday as they visit fellow strugglers Royal Exchange, presumably at Bohunt School.  Exchange are currently just four points behind Athletic with a game in hand though that game is against title challengers Lindford.