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.
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