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.
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