Sunday 28 November 2010

Sponsorship Actively Being Sought.

After two and a bit seasons with the old yellow kit, the club are looking to replace this as soon as possible.

With no proper alternative kit, either two cheaper kits will be required or one new home kit that isn't yellow (which is a last resort, as we are "the Yellows").  Either way, to ensure the club can afford this, the Chawton board are actively seeking sponsorship for the new shirts.

Also available is website sponsorship for a much smaller fee over one or two seasons.

Any interested parties in either club (shirt) or website sponsorship should contact the Treasurer, Carl Waterfield, by email at sabrewulf7@yahoo.com or by phone on 07793 538 773 for more details!

Div6: Rushmoor Celtic 2 Chawton Athletic 0.

Following back to back wins, Chawton Athletic were brought back down to Earth with a bump at Rushmoor Celtic.

Two changes from the previous week saw the unavailable Vickers replaced by Paul Nicholson in the attacking midfield role and player-manager Waterfield drop to the bench, with Williams replacing him at left back.

On a hideously sloping pitch and playing uphill in the first half, Chawton struggled to get the fluidity of the previous match.  The game as a whole lacked any rhythm.  Chawton were punished by some static defending half way through the first half as the Rushmoor striker ran through to tip it over the Athletic keeper, Martin Skilton.

Some runs from midfield from Paul Nicholson created a chance for the stretching Ben Hodkin up front, who couldn't quite connect with it fully.

Skilton kept the Yellows in the game by pulling off a couple of fantastic diving saves to keep the half time score down to 0-1.

The second half started brighter, with Chawton creating some chances of their own.  Some good running from Paul Nicholson allowed him to get off a couple of shots to force a good Celtic keeper into some decent saves.

Celtic began to turn the screw and only a goal-line clearance from Ollie Williams stopped them from pulling further ahead.  However they did eventually score a second, when Williams was unlucky to lose his footing in the box, bringing down the Celtic winger.  The resulting penalty was well struck.

The game began to get bitty with Skilton tipping further Celtic shots over the bar.

Celtic did have the ball in the Chawton net for the third time late on, but the striker was adjudged to be off-side when the ball was knocked forward at a corner, despite being played by manager Waterfield.

The game ended 0-2 in Celtic's favour with the Yellows letting some winnable points go by.

On a day where most of the Chawton side underperformed, Jake Channon at right back had a good game.  Man of the match, for keeping Athletic in it for such a long time, was Martin Skilton in goal.


A week off this week, followed by three home games in December - weather permitting!  First up on the 5th are ex-Farnham league rivals Lindford.

Monday 15 November 2010

Div6: Black Horse Reserves 2 Chawton Athletic 5.

Chawton Athletic travelled to Crondall for their fourth away match on the trot to play Black Horse Reserves for the second time this season, the previous clash having finished 2-2 at the Binsted Recreation Ground.

Preparation for the match was hampered as the Yellows had to wait an extra four hours to get this match going, due to being given the wrong kick off time. Also against the away side was the lack of official referee, meaning the Black Horse manager had to take the whistle. The pitch was also a major concern, as the persistent rain and morning's match had ravaged an already poor playing surface.

Chawton were forced to make some changes, with seven players unavailable with injuries or illness leaving just a solitary substitute. Skilton, as usual, lined up in goal with an unfamiliar backline of Carl Waterfield, captain Marc Taylor-Penfold, Matt Stevens and Jake Channon in front of him. The midfield consisted of Luke Ingram, James Harvey, Ben Hodkin and Ryan Furey with Martin Booth and Andy Vickers up top.


When the game finally got underway, Athletic asserted their dominance from the off, playing with fresh confidence which flowed through the team after getting their first win of the season the previous weekend. And it was Chawton who broke the deadlock early on with a good passing move which ended up at the feet of Martin Booth whose good run and fantastic left footed shot across the keeper hit the back of the net to make it 1-0 to the away side.

The hard work was soon undone though by some sloppy play at the back and a slip in the centre of defence on a poor pitch combining to give the Black Horse striker too much time on the ball. The resulting shot was converted, passing the outstretched arm of Skilts to pull the game back level, 1-1.

Chawton started to wake up again, applying a little more pressure on the home team with Booth trying for another goal forcing a corner. Luke Ingram came over to take it, his good left-footed inswinging delivery was expertly headed into the Black Horse goal by stand-in right back Jake Channon for his first ever goal for the Club. Athletic's lead was restored and they were back in control of the match at 2-1.

The game faded a little for the next ten minutes with both sides being bogged down in the midfield, with the pitch making every aspect very hard work. What shots that did get away were matched by both keepers.

However Chawton's endeavour was further rewarded when Carl Waterfield's long ball down the left wing found Booth who held off the Black Horse centre back before hammering it past the approaching 'keeper, making it two goals for him and a commanding 3-1 lead to Chawton - right on the half time whistle.

The home team started the second half better than Chawton, with a few good attacks that didn't really pressure Skilts in goal. The game was getting slightly heated now and the home side's number 4 was at the heart of their frustration. After a slightly late sliding challenge on him by Waterfield led to him poking his fingers into the chest of the Yellows' left back, he went on to put in a few lunging tackles himself. He could count himself lucky to stay on the pitch – an official referee may well have dished some cards.
Despite the adversity setting in, it was Chawton who kept their heads up and continued to make the better chances. A neat pass from the right by Ryan Furey reached Andy Vickers, who beat the Black Horse defence for pace and slotted his right foot shot in at the near post to put Chawton 4-1 up and on course to make a club record of two back to back wins.

Black Horse did manage to get a second after an error by Marc Taylor-Penfold, who couldn't manage to clear an easy ball, which then ended up at the strikers feet. He made the captain's mistake count, and the score was pegged back to 4-2.

At this stage, Athletic were still running the game. James Harvey was working tirelessly in the middle of the pitch with some last ditch tackles which broke up many of the BlackHorse attacks, and he was ably help by Booth who had dropped back into midfield. The two full backs, Waterfield and Channon, kept the attacking wingers quiet while Stevens dealt with majority of the aerial threats.

A spirited performance on the left by Luke Ingram was rewarded when a long range through ball from Taylor-Penfold fell to the left winger's feet and he who buried it, effectively sealing the victory with only fifteen minutes left. Chawton had successfully restored their three goal lead.

The Yellows were pressing for more with Ben Hodkin, Vickers and Booth all coming close but none being able to hit the net.

The last ten minutes was limited to counter attacks for the away side, as Black Horse pushed forward. Black Horse pinged a few shots on the Chawton goal, forcing a corner. The first attempt was a sneaky inswinging effort that Waterfield ensured did not sneak in at the near post. The second was ably cleared.

In the last minute of the game, a good passing move from the Black Horse midfield worked its way through to their number 9 whose good shot passed Skilton, but Taylor-Penfold, trying to atone for his earlier mistake, was on hand to slide across and block the shot on the goal line.

The final whistle soon followed, the match ending in a fully deserved 5-2 victory to Chawton, silencing the crowd on the touchline who had, at times, been giving a bit of verbal to Athetic's linesman and supporters.

A much better game by Chawton, especially considering the late team changes and adverse weather. A lot of this was down to an improvement in communication, particularly between the defence in midfield.
Luke Ingram worked well on the left providing excellent defensive cover, particularly in the second half. Martin Booth's energetic performance was rewarded by two well taken goals. Carl Waterfield and Jake Channon at each full back position kept the Black Horse wingers quiet all day long, the latter's efforts also being rewarded with a goal. But the man of the match goes to James Harvey for a superb effort bossing the central midfield role and helping to protect the Chawton back four with some crucial challenges.

Chawton Athletic are on their travels yet again next Sunday, with a trip to Rushmoor Celtic.

Monday 8 November 2010

Div6: Plough & Horses Reserves 3 Chawton Athletic 5

Chawton Athletic travelled to Kennels Lane for their away match against Plough & Horses Reserves.

Chawton made a few changes from last weeks undeserved 6-2 loss.  Martin Skilton in goal behind the back line of Ollie Williams, David Nicholson, Marc Taylor-Penfold and Karl Teague. Luke Ingram, Paul Nicholson and Jake Channon were joined by debutant Ryan Furey in midfield. Ben Hodkin and Nathan Teague started upfront.  Subs were Martin Booth, James Harvey, Nathan Ingram and Matt Stevens.

Plough & Horses had failed to get a referee for the match which meant one of the substitutes had the duties.

Chawton applied the pressure straight from the off with Hodkin and Nathan Teague creating chances in the first couple of minutes, forcing corners.  One of these early corner kicks reached the head of David Nicholson... his bullet header whizzed across goal but the Plough keeper managed to get his fingers to it put it out for another corner.

The Plough’s centre back hit the ball hopefully over the Athletic defence, David Nicholson tried to header back to Skilton but his attempt didn’t make it.  The Plough striker had an easy tap in, which he almost wasted as the ball took a deflection off Nicholson’s foot for his second own goal in as many weeks making it 0-1 to the home side.  Skilton also picked up a slight knock to his neck putting the remainder of his game in doubt.

Chawton were making hard work for themselves, but continued to create chances.  Paul Nicholson snuck in a cheeky nutmeg pass through that reached Hodkin on the left flank.  Hodkin fired his cross deep over the Plough back-line for Furey to tap in a debut goal, unchallenged, at the far post for 1-1.

Plough retaliated with further attempts from some pretty dubious free kicks awarded by the stand in referee, one of which Skilton turned onto the crossbar.

A period of better passing from Chawton with the ball ending up with Paul Nicholson who beat the defending midfielder and slotted home from the edge of the box with a left foot shot.  The ball finding it's way through a gap in the defence and to the keepers unguarded left side to put Chawton 2-1 up.

The Yellows kept the ball for the last exchanges of the half, going into the break with the lead.

Plough & Horses changed the referee at half time, with their manager taking over the whistle, adding to the one sided nature of the game's decisions.

Chawton didn’t wake up straight away in the second half and were being put under pressure by the Plough attacks but luckily to no avail for the home side.  Indeed, some good battling of their own on the Chawton left wing by Luke Ingram followed by a good pass to Nathan Teague allowed the Yellows to increase the lead, as Teague held off the defender and scored an excellent chip over the advancing keeper to make it 3-1.

Then controversy: Penalty to Plough!  It was given against youngster Karl Teague, as the "ref" somehow saw a ‘handball’ from the half way line.  Even more controversial was that the Plough striker didn’t even make a claim!  The resulting spot kick was nearly saved by Skilton diving to his left, but the ball hit his hip and went under his body for an unfair 3-2.

Athletic chose to mix the play up a bit with Nathan Teague making way for Nathan Ingram, who slotted into the midfield with Paul Nicholson moving up front.

It was becoming apparent that the Plough & Horses were using the referee's "inexperience" (bias) by to dirty tactics, with many fouls being ‘unseen’.  But it was still Chawton who were on top of the match, with more good play.

Hodkin and Paul Nicholson played a one two which the Plough defender failed to get clear, the ball dropping at the feet of Hodkin who smashed it right footed into the net for his 11th goal of the season and the fourth of the game for the Yellows.

Defender Nicholson picked up a knock and was forced to leave the field of play, with Booth coming on at centre back to play alongside Taylor-Penfold.

The "usual ten minutes" sloppiness the Athletic are trying hard to work out of their game only lasted five this time.  Plough’s pressure forced some fine saves from the Yellows number 1,  who was keeping the score line in Athletics favour.  Eventually Chawton did concede a corner which was deflected into the net at the far post by the Plough winger.  The away side's defence failed to clear the ball, setting up a tense finish at 4-3.

With only five minutes left on the clock Paul Nicholson hammered the final nail into Plough's Horse shoe, with another cracking goal- a right footed lob over the keeper into the far side of the goal.  This restored Chawton’s two goal lead, with James Harvey joining the playto add a little defensive steel to the midfield, Furey coming off after an impressive debut.

The final whistle came with Chawton on the positive end of the 5-3 scoreline.  Chawton might not have played as well as they have done in previous matches this season, but still got the vital win they have deserved all season.

Paul Nicholson finished the match with two goals after a superb attacking display, but man of the match goes to Martin Skilton in goal for some fantastic saves that kept Chawton on course for the win.

The win was long overdue and with Athletic's only previous point coming from next weekend's opponents, Black Horse Reserves, returning Manager, Carl Waterfield, hopes the side can improve further and make it back to back wins for the first time in the Club's two and a bit year history!

Monday 1 November 2010

Div6: Castle City 6 Chawton Athletic 2.

The Jeckyll and Hyde personality of Chawton Athletic continued when a poor second half against Castle City once again undermined the hard work put in beforehand.

A uncharacteristically slow start from Chawton in very wet conditions was not punished by the home side.  It didn't take long for the Yellows to get into their stride, as they started pinging the ball about on the exceptionally flat pitch.

The ball was skidding off the surface when allowed to bounce, but the away side seemed to control it better.  They forced a few corners early on which came to nothing, while Castle City were being limited to skying long shots over the bar.

Some slick passing between Luke Ingram, Paul Nicholson and Andy Vickers down the left resulted in an opening for Ben Hodkin, whose shot went wide.  Nicholson went close soon after with a thirty yard effort whizzing past the post.

Chawton failed to heed the warning when Castle broke forward, and after a corner was cleared by brothers Nicholson, the hosts did take an undeserved lead midway through the half.  The ball was worked into the box, where there were too many defenders in the way to clear the ball.  The ball was eventually smashed home, off Dave Nicholson, for 0-1.

Athletic set about righting the wrong and some more slick passing set Nathan Ingram up, his shot deflected narrowly wide.  The corner came to nothing... a theme that would continue.

A missed tackle from Karl Teague and another from Dave Nicholson put Chawton under some pressure, but Marc Taylor-Penfold was able to clear for a corner.    For his next clearance, Taylor-Penfold used the scorpion kick, to much adulation from the watching substitutes!

Taylor-Penfold then turned provider, when his excellent long ball found Hodkin on the right.  His cross was knocked back by Vickers to Luke Ingram.  His shot was knocked out for another corner.

More great work down the left, this time from Olly Williams and the brothers Ingram.  Luke's cross is just out of the reach of Ben.  Chances were starting to come Chawton's way, but none could be taken.  Another through ball from Paul Nicholson resulted in the ball striking the hand of a City defender, but it was deemed ball to hand.

When City did get the ball into the Athletic box, panic was beginning to set in.  A lack of communication between Dave Nicholson and Skilts in goal almost set up another chance, but Taylor-Penfold was on hand to clear the ball.

The left wing was proving a valuable outlet for Chawton, and another triangle of passes and runs from Luke Ingram, Paul Nicholson and Vickers saw the ball again in the Castle penalty area.  James Harvey, who had been working solidly all game, eventually put the ball wide.  He did have a very strong call for a penalty after bringing hauled down, but the referee was way behind play on the halfway line and didn't see it.

By this time the profligacy in front of goal was beginning to take it's toll on new manager Carlos Waterfield's voice...

Skilts made up for the earlier mis-communication by collecting the next ball into the away side's box.  Skilts set Williams away down the left and he continued all the way to the by line, but the City defender worked well to knock the ball out for a throw.

The score remained 0-1 at half time.

It could have been worse straight from the kick off.  A ball was not cleared or closed down and it was hit from just outside the area, rattling the crossbar and issuing a clear warning that City aimed to end the frustration that had set into their game.

This did kick start the Yellows and they duly scored not long after.  Luke Ingram, working down the right, beat two men and let fly a vicious shot.  The City keeper parried it but couldn't recover in time to stop top scorer Hodkin from turning it in the equalise with three second half minutes on the clock.

But after another ten minutes the game had been turned on it's head.  Another high ball into the Chawton box isn't dealt with and after a little pinball it's smashed past a helpless Skilts.

Not long later, City take complete control of the match by scoring twice in quick succession with two copycats goals hit from just outside the area.  Neither shot was closed down, with the City player using the wet surface and skimming both shots into the bottom corner.  The ball was there to be won in the box, but nobody took charge.

Chawton almost hit back immediately, but Vickers' through ball over the City midfield was dinked over the advancing keeper and the bar by Hodkin.  In fairness, he wasn't favourite to win the ball, as it was quickly closed down by two City defenders, but Hodkin was just a little quicker.

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Despite giving the ball away cheaply in the second half on occasion, Chawton were still creating half chances.  At the third time of asking from a James Russell throw-in(!) a free kick was won.  Despite the initial header being won by Athletic, the keeper managed to get hold of the loose ball, taking a hit to the face in the process.

Moments later, Paul Nicholson breakdances in the middle of the pitch.  Whilst tackling the opposition.

Pat Cross, on as a sub for Harvey, set about running at the opposition's left back.  His first run of significance sets Hodkin free, but his drilled cross is missed by everybody.  Cross was being afforded plenty of space down the Athletic right, despite the opposition being warned that he was the Chawton George Best.  After a quick one-two with Hodkin up front he got a shot off, which was saved by the keeper.

Hodkin himself was still looking for the net, and his thirty yard shot whistled past the far post.  Time was running out for the away side.  Shortly after, he again latched onto a Paul Nicholson through ball but his shot was just about saved by the keeper.

Then, out of nothing, the ball is at Hodkin's feet with the keeper way out of position.  He looked up after the entire Chawton team shouted at him to shoot, and calmly slotted it home.  The Castle defence had only conceded four goals in their first six games keeping four clean sheets so scoring two goals was better than most opposition sides had done.

Unfortunately it was City who ended the game on a high, with a tired looking Chawton side conceding two late goals.  The first was again a ball that wasn't cleared, although it appeared that Williams at left back was fouled in the build up.

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The final nail in the coffin was hammered in before the end.  A poor second half again leaving the scoreline looking incredibly flattering for the opposition, the match ending 2-6 on Waterfield's debut as Manager.

Even the exceptional first half couldn't mask the the areas requiring improvement.  The profligacy in front of goal, particularly in the first half when so many chances were created continues to limit Chawton's scoring to two a game.  Ben Hodkin again had another good game, but the burden needs to be spread a little.

The defence started strongly, but in the end six more goals were conceded and a lot of them were needless.  A lack of closing down, a lack of of tracking back from the midfield and a poor touch in the area was the side's undoing in the second half, despite the first half warnings.

That said, the attacking play was quick and incisive.  There was plenty of nice passing down the left, with Williams and Luke Ingram linking up well and bring in Vickers and Hodkin.

Man of the match though was Paul Nicholson who once again ran his arse off.  He constantly tracked back to win the ball and put through some fine forward passes.


In his absence next week (for personal reasons), Waterfield hopes to hear of a significant improvement particularly in the second half performance.  The matches in November are all away from home, so more time can be had preparing for the game.  Half time must also be utilised to it's full potential to stop the second half rot... Plough and Horses Reserves have also struggled this season, so it would be nice to get the result our generally good performances deserve!