Chawton Athletic threw away points against a pretty average Imperial 2010 Reserves side at home, who stupidly turned up in an equally yellow kit and refused to change shirts despite the home side providing them.
Typical of this season's play, the Yellows got off to a good start. They passed the ball around, despite the wet pitch and blowing wind. Nathan Teague up front was unlucky to latch on to a number a through balls in the first twenty minutes and the midfield did well in driving the team forward.
But Athletic were undone halfway through the half, when Imperial scored out of nothing to open the scoring.
This stirred Chawton in to life. The equaliser came as a poor kick from the keeper went straight to Ben Hodkin who returned the ball with interest... into the net.
But alas, the hard work in drawing back level was soon undone, when sloppy play at the back allowed Imperial to re-take the lead.
That was not the last action of the first half, as Nathan Ingram fed Hodkin, who made no mistake in front of goal. The score remained at 2-2 until half time.
The team set about grabbing all three points were soon found themselves 2-4 down with twenty to play. Injury and niggles had, by this point, meant Marc Taylor-Penfold and David Nicholson had been replaced at the back.
Gaps had started appearing in the middle of the park as Chawton attempted to get themselves back into the match. Pressure was applied to the Imperial goal, but the away side's keeper had stepped up his game. The home side were not being handed any favours from the referee either, who was consistently giving decisions Imperial's way whilst failing to get a grip on the increasingly aggressive tackles on show.
At the back, Chawton were remaining resolute. Further forward, they had forced a number of corners. One of these found it's way out to Carl Waterfield on the D, but his half volleyed shot was deflected over the bar by an approaching defender.
Time inevitably ran out and Imperial took all three points back with them, as Athletic went down 2-4.
Too many "switch-offs" meant Chawton paid a price their effort did not deserve against the twelve men of Imperial 2010 Reserves. A highlight was the heading of Jake Channon, looking increasingly good in the air. Man of the match honours though when to Paul Nicholson for a combative display in midfield.
Next up are league leaders New Inn, on their patch. Meeting point is Anstey Park at 09:10 on Sunday morning.
As an aside, fines will be brought in for lateness, not showing up at all (when previously available - without good reason) and refusal to run the line when asked! More details of these on Match Day 4...!
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