Tuesday, 27 December 2011

Yellows Go A.P.E.!

ADSFL Division 7 Cup: Quarter-Final
11 December 2011

ALDERSHOT PARK ELITE  2
CHAWTON ATHLETIC  13

Starting XI:  Jamie Oakley (GK).  Elliot Watkins (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), Jake Channon (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), James Harvey (CM), Danny Taylor (CM), Mikey Phillips (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Substitutes:  Carl Waterfield, Martin Booth, David Nicholson, Pete Goodall, Ashley Brooks.


Chawton eased into the semi-finals of the divisional cup by demolishing basement club Aldershot Park Elite and equaling the club's biggest ever win record in the process.

The first half saw the away side plunder eight goals, itself a record.  But it was Elite that drew first blood, looking to carry on where they left off in the second league meeting between the two sides.  A free kick was conceded just outside the area and it was well struck past Oakley in goal.

The lead did not last long though, as Danny Taylor soon equalised.

The ten men of Elite were then subjected to a constant tide of Yellows' attacks for the remaining thirty five minutes of the half.  While a lot of attacks were quelled by the hard working Elite defence, Will Rietzler did find himself on the scoresheet.  He was joined before half-time by Ryan Furey who scored twice, allowing him to wear both gloves without being fined, and captain Ben Hodkin who helped himself to four!

With payback for the season's earlier league defeat well and truly dished out, Athletic went in 8-1 leaders at half-time.


The second half was very much like the first - a goal fest!  And again it was Elite that pinched a goal back first.  The referee gave a soft penalty, booking Danny Taylor for the foul in the process.  He also booked keeper Jamie Oakley after the penalty was scored for daring to ask why it was worthy of a card!

From then on in it was mostly one way traffic.  Rietzler added his second goal of the game before Chawton were given a penalty of their own.  Hodkin relinquished penalty duties to substitute Carl Waterfield, who was yet to score for the club.  He stepped up and coolly sent it to the keeper's left, although the glovesman did get a hand to it.

Danny Taylor, captain by this point after Hodkin was given a rest, scored his second of the match - but the scoring was far from done.  Another substitute, Ashley Brooks, scored a brace of his own - his first competitive goals for the club and both following hard work in the build up and well fashioned finishes.

There could even have been more goals with Mikey Phillips, James Harvey and Pete Goodall all coming close.  Kyle Bale's running, which caused panic in Elite's defence all game, almost yielded a goal for him too.

The pedantic ref, who had booked four Athletic players (but no Elite players, interestingly) called time on the match which ended in a 13-2 victory - the largest ever away win for the club.


Elstead Lighting Man of the Match:  Ben Hodkin - An all round captain's performance! He hit four first half goals, set up a few others too and even shared the glory with his grateful Treasurer!

Sunday, 11 December 2011

Yellows Ruin Wandering Wonka's Return!

ADSFL Division 7
4 December 2011

ALTON WANDERERS RESERVES 2
CHAWTON ATHLETIC 3

Starting XI:  Jamie Oakley (GK).  Elliot "Bieber" Watkins (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), Jake Channon (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), James Harvey (CM), Danny Taylor (CM), Paul Nicholson (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Andy Vickers, Mikey Phillips, Carl Waterfield, Pete Goodall, Ashley Brooks.


Following the previous weekend's controversy following the Camberley Cougars match, in which the cards were not exchanged and the game went ahead at their insistence, Chawton looked to move on and turned their attention to arch rivals Alton Wanderers - who named former Yellow Matt "Wonka" Stevens in the starting line-up.

And it didn't take long for the first goal to fly in, straight from the kick off!  Wanderers kicked off and were immediately dispossessed by Hodkin who threaded a neat ball through to Ryan Furey who made no mistake.  The bench timed it as 10 seconds, although the official time given by the ref was 17 seconds - the fastest goal in Chawton history.  This was Furey's 14th goal this season, in just eight games!

Wanderers tried to hit back with a few good plays forcing corners, but Oakley and his defence were equal to anything that came their way.  The game, predictably, began to get a little fractious and Rietzler was brought down thirty yards from goal.  The resultant free kick was delivered into the box, but no Yellows' player got a touch on it!

But it wasn't long before Athletic went 2-0 up when a Paul Nicholson corner was hit low and hard into the box and deflected in off the Wanderers' right back (not Wonka) at the front post.  Was the ball going in?  Either way, Nicholson will claim it!

Chawton seemed to be coasting at this point and looked to extend their lead until the referee awarded a free kick to the home side (Wanderers!) after a foul by debutant, Elliot Watkins - the effects of adult football clearly telling on the youngster.  The centre mid stepped up and drilled his shot at Oakley who could only parry the ball into the path of an opposing player who tapped in the rebound.  The defence was a tad slow to react, 1-2.

Suddenly, Chawton were on the back foot and making it hard for themselves, with "Diggers Elite" being the first to almost every ball.  With the wind in their metaphoric sails, the equalised.  A ball crossed over to their right winger who finished superbly with a volley past an outstretched Oakley.

Danny Taylor and Paul Nicholson finished the half with some classy one-twos and some shots from Hodkin and Furey - 2-2 the score at half time.


The second half started as the first finished, with Furey coming close on several occasions.  One shot in particular came from a fantastic through ball from Nicholson to Reitzler, whose cross found Furey unmarked at the far post.  His header seemed destined for the back of the net but some determined goal line defending by the home team's right back kept it out.

The Chawton dominance continued with Taylor and Harvey commanding the midfield, with Hodkin offering to receive the ball on occasions.  Bale was marauding down the left flank and one such run took him inside the penalty box, his testing shot rebounding to Nicholson.  His well struck volley was yet again cleared off the line.

Rietzler also came close but only hit the side netting.  Vickers came on for the frustrated Furey soon after.

The game's tempo hit peak level, with Wanderers mounting some good attacks, but the Yellows' defence continued to match them.  The passing from both sides was quick and fast and the tackles were becoming hard and bordering on unfair, one of which saw Oakley forced off with a bloody nose.  Mikey Phillips volunteered to take over in goal at a crucial point in the match!

Athletic regained the initiative and came within a whisker of taking the lead.  First Bale hit the woodwork, then Reitzler's follow-up also came back off the frame of the goal before being cleared for a corner, much to the frustration of the Chawton bench who were at this point were jumping up and down and kicking every ball!  The corner from Vickers came to Nicholson whose audacious overhead kick was headed over at the far post by Rietzler.

Just when it looked Chawton's day was going to end is disappointment, they thought they'd finally got the break through their second half threat deserved, as Hodkin found the back of the net - only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.  It was a warning Wanderers did not heed as the Yellows did then take the lead.  A poor clearance fell to James Harvey and his header deflected in off the keeper.

Some very calm and professional passing then followed, as relief swept through the whole side.  Athletic saw out the final ten minutes with some good challenges from Channon, Harvey, Merritt and Watkins.  Not the prettiest match on the eyes, but an enthralling one nonetheless.  But three points and a 3-2 derby victory was all that mattered!

Elstead Lighting Man of the Match:  James Harvey - a dominating performance in midfield, capped with the winning goal.

Cougars Fight Unfairly...

Camberley Cougars lodged a complaint after the match about match cards, so the result of this game is in doubt.  Further info will follow when available.  For the record, this is how the match panned out:



27 November 2011

CHAWTON ATHLETIC 2
CAMBERLEY COUGARS RESERVES 1

Starting XI:  Martin Skilton (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), David Nicholson (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Ben Hodkin (CM), James Harvey (CM), Mikey Phillips (LM).  Paul Nicholson (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Jake Channon, Andy Vickers, Pete Goodall.


Camberley Cougars Reserves turned up at the Jubilee with a much stronger side than the Yellows faced in their previous league encounter, which ended in a big cat massacre.  The Yellows' new signing Elliot Watkins was unable to feature in the game, as the club hadn't received his I.D. card.

From the off, everyone could see that this was going to be a feisty affair!  The opening ten minutes saw Furey taking an elbow to the head in an aerial challenge and Skilts in goal getting a kick to the wrist, as the Cougars' striker attempted to play the ball from the keeper's hands.  A free kick was duly awarded, but there were doubts in manager Taylor-Penfold's mind as to whether the glovesman would last the match.

Shortly afterwards, the away side took the lead thanks to a well taken finish by their winger as he broke through the Athletic defence with ease and neatly placed the shot past the outstretched arm of Skilton.

The rest of the first half was relatively mediocre by comparison with both sides pressing for a goal but to no avail.  One such opportunity fell to Chawton to score and equaliser.  Paul Nicholson fed a good through ball to Furey, who beat a couple of Camberley defenders and rounded the keeper to leave an open goal... but he dwelled on the ball too long before applying a finish, which allowed a defender to get back and block superbly on the line, twice!

Even Harvey was trying to get in on the action as he tried a thirty yard lob that went narrowly wide.  Half time came at 0-1, leaving Chawton plenty to think about during the team talk.


Athletic were not helped at the break in having to make a forced change, with Oakley coming on in goal for the injured Skilton.  Channon came on at centre-back, with David Nicholson reverting to right back.

The Yellows immediately set about making amends with Phillips working the flank and the home side nearly drew level, as Hodkin and Furey combining well but the resulting shot was gathered by the keeper.

Taylor-Penfold made his last two changes, replacing the wingers with Goodall and Vickers and the equaliser came soon after.  A Channon free kick wasn't cleared properly and that gave Harvey the chance to slide in and notch his second goal of the season.

Chawton continued to apply the pressure on the Cougars, with Bale a constant threat with his solid runs.  Vickers' tidy free kick from a tight angle panicked the away side's keeper and Hodkin could have got on the scoresheet if Furey had squared the ball rather than going for goal himself and slipping on the slick Jubilee surface.

Stand-in keeper Oakley was beginning to look bored in the Chawton goal with nothing to do, as the strengthened back line wasn't letting anything through.  And it was indeed Chawton that took home all three points in a smash and grab, as Furey poked the ball into the back of the net with his right boot from yet another Hodkin pass.

The final whistle blew soon after to register a 2-1 win and end the run of five matches without a win.  The points are yet to be confirmed of course, but the win was important nonetheless.


More good performances all round, despite the set back.

Elstead Lighting Man of the Match:  Kyle Bale - another fine performance from the left back.

Points Shared at Plough and Horses.

ADSFL Division 7
20 November 2011

PLOUGH & HORSES RESERVES 4
CHAWTON ATHLETIC 4

Starting XI:  Andy Vickers (GK).  Carl Waterfield (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), David Nicholson (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), James Harvey (CM), Mikey Phillips (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Jamie Oakley, Pete Goodall, Ashley Brooks.


Chawton travelled to the Zebon Copse Centre to face old friends Plough & Horses Reserves in a keenly fought match.  The game was without a nominated official, so the responsibility fell to the Plough captain.

The game kicked off with the home side quickly stamping their authority on the match and opening up a quick two goal lead, for the first time in the history of the two sides' fixtures.  A combination of some good play by Plough and the inexperience in goal of Vickers.

The game didn't stay that way for long though, as the Yellows pegged one back through Hodkin's pass and a great finish from Rietzler, who lifted the ball over the advancing keeper.  It surely would have been a penalty if he had missed as he was sliced down by the covering defender.

Chawton were soon level through Hodkin, who's speculative shot somehow found the net.

2-2 after thirty minutes and the half wasn't done by a long shot.  Chawton allowed the Plough #10 to walk through them and he cooly knocked the ball past a well positioned Vickers to give the home side the lead again.  Plough added a fourth thanks to some slack defending as they looked to achieve a decisive lead.

Unfortunately for them, Athletic rallied again fore the final ten minutes of the half.  Furey got on the scoresheet and Hodkin added his second soon after to level the scores at four each at half time.


By comparison the second half was a dull affair with Athletic trying to exert their authority all over the pitch.  However they could not find the break through or even really test the keeper.  And it was indeed Plough who almost stole all the points when a through ball found their striker who was at least two yards off side.  Despite the assistant's flag going up straight away, the stand-in ref waved play on and Chawton were saved by the post.  The assistant was a little perturbed by this, to say the least!

The match fizzled out and the final score of 4-4 meant a welcome point for the Yellows who ended a run of four defeats on the trot, in all competitions.

Elstead Lighting Man of the Match:  Ben Hodkin - picked up a brace and an assist.

Chawton Robbed of Points Against League Leaders.

ADSFL Division 7
13 November 2010

CHAWTON ATHLETIC 0
LINDFORD 2

Starting XI:  Martin Skilton (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), James Harvey (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), Danny Taylor (CM, Andy Vickers (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, Pete Goodall, Mikey Phillips.


Lindford came to the Jubilee undefeated and boasting an eight game winning streak.  However, it was the Yellows who went out to pressurise the opposition from the first whistle, earning a corner with their first attack.  Although nothing came of it, it signaled their intent.  The away side answered straight back with some good switching play and the resulting shot was well gathered by Skilton in goal.

Lindford continued to attack with a few set pieces the didn't manage to test the Chawton defence.  When they did break the barrier, their shots were wayward.  The Lindford left back made a clever run into the Athletic box and earned a corner, which came to nothing.  Skilton kept Chawton in the game, parrying a well struck shot, with the rebound skied over.

The Yellows soon started making more chances of their own.  Danny Taylor slotted a neat pass through to Furey, who couldn't quite get the ball under control.  Soon after, Vickers showed some fancy footwork before slipping in Hodkin who knocked it wide.

But it was the away side who took a thoroughly undeserved lead into the break, thanks to a dubious refereeing decision.  The Lindford winger threw himself to the floor, despite minimal contact (forgetting this was a man's game), and was duly awarded a very soft penalty.  Skilton beaten from twelve yards.


A very hard done by Chawton carried on in the second half, failing to take any of their chances before Lindford dealt the sucker punch - another howler from the referee.  A corner was floated in and fell to the marauding Lindford defender who proceeded to punch the ball into the net.  The Hand of God sequel!  The ref saw nothing wrong, even with the goalscorer gloating about his "fortune" right under his nose!

The game fizzled out as there was no coming back from two down with five to go against the league leaders.  The match ended 0-2, although Chawton could feel very hard done by!


A solid performance undone by a couple or poor decisions.

Elstead Lighting man of the Match:  Kyle Bale - always a reliable defender.

Saturday, 22 October 2011

Wonka Wanders Off as Chawton Lose "Friendly".

Chawton Athletic old boy, Matt "Wonka" Stevens, has left the club after three and a half years and raised a few eyebrows in the process.

Wonka in Cup Final action in 2010.
Stevens, who signed for the Yellows in their debut 2008/09 season, has now transferred to arch rivals Alton Wanderers - a team he helped spank in the Eric Holbrook Cup first round match earlier this season.  As one of the few players who remained from the Farnham League era, he was part of the side that were Runwick Cup runners-up in 2010.







The first match after his departure was a friendly against a random Alton Town XI at Eggars School.  The match was one that Chawton ultimately lost 4-5 from a strong winning position, thanks to the effort of a far from neutral referee organised by the opposition.

A brace from Ben Hodkin and a solo effort from Paul Nicholson was bettered by David Nicholson - who's speculative effort looked to have been saved by the keeper but was then spilled into the net.

Thursday, 13 October 2011

Video Special! The Taming of the Cougars.

Videos from last Sunday's match, in no particular order!

A Camberley attack is thwarted, ultimately by Skilts:


Will Rietzler showing us how not to take a corner(!):


The Cougars also showing us how not to take a corner!  But it shows how well CHawton marked the corner:


GOAL!  Well, the three musketeers celebrating one:


GOALS!  Again, just the celebration... a lone turtle:


A good Chawton counter-attack!


A Ben Hodkin free kick is put narrowly over:


And finally........ Marc Taylor scores.  This video clearly making his year:

League: Camberley Cougars Reserves 1 Chawton Athletic 10

Starting XI:  Martin Skilton (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), James Harvey (CM), Mikey Phillips (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, Martin Booth, Pete Goodall, Ashley Brooks.


Chawton Athletic tamed the Cougars of Camberley in a game they dominated from start to finish.


Ryan Furey unleashes his shot with.... fury!
After a couple of half chances, Athletic took a deserved lead early on when Will Rietzler broke free down the right flank, beat a couple players and served it on a plate to Ryan Furey to tap in at the far post.

The lead didn't last long though, as Camberley equalised through the penalty spot.  Steve Merritt was adjudged to have fouled a Cougars attacker while defending a corner, with the ref getting a good view of it.  Martin Skilton dived the right way, but the kick was low, hard and right in the corner.

Skilts unlucky with the penalty.
That signaled an increase in tempo by the away side, who retook the lead midway through the first half.  Ben Hodkin picked the ball up just inside the halfway line, dribbled the ball into space and hit a speculative shot from thirty yards that went in off the post.

The Chawton attacks kept on coming and Rietzler and Furey almost repeated their first goal, when the winger beat his marker again down the right.  But this time Furey had strayed marginally offside and the goal was correctly ruled out.

Kyle Bale not afraid to put his foot in!
A third goal did come soon after though from a well taken Jake Channon corner.  The in-swinger was met with his left foot on the volley by Marc Taylor, his shot hitting the back of the net between the static keeper and defender on the post.  Taylor's third goal of the season already, a fine tally for the centre back.

Kyle Bale was putting his foot in and winning the ball consistently from left back.  One such tackle saw the ball slip away from him and in over-stretching for it he slipped and caught the Cougar midfielder's leg, earning him a yellow card.

A quick fire double from Rietzler rounded off the half.  A well played one-two with Hodkin saw him slip the ball past an advancing keeper, while Rietzler's second was a well hit volley that nudged the post on the way in.   Channon was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet too, with his well hit dipping twenty five yard shot tipped over the bar by the Cougars' keeper.

5-1 at half time and the Yellows were cruising.


Chawton's right hand side, Jamie Oakley and Will Rietzler.
Camberley looked to start the second half in a better fashion, but they found themselves further behind as Furey hit his second of the game, beating the home side's centre back to the ball and slotting it into the bottom corner.

Rietzler scores the Yellows' fourth goal.
With the side already assured of victory, player-manager Taylor shuffled his pack with Martin Booth coming on up front.  Hodkin dropped into midfield, with James Harvey shifting to left back in place of the departing Bale.  Five minutes later, the second change with Pete Goodall coming on for Reitzler, who had picked up a knock.

Hodkin knocked the seventh goal in soon after.  He played the ball to Booth, who knocked it over a defender for Hodkin to volley it home into the bottom left corner with quite some pace.  Again Channon came close to scoring as he hit a low shot that the keeper did well to get down to, tipping it past the far post.

James Harvey, concentrating!
After Ashley Brooks came on for Mikey Phillips, Ryan Furey completed his hattrick.  He beat the defence again and produced another tidy finish inside the near post.

Hodkin returned the favour to substitute Booth for Athletic's eighth.  His original shot was saved, but he made the keeper pay for not holding it.

Another substitute round off the scoring, ensuring the Yellows hit double figures in the league for the second time this season.  Martin Booth's looped corner found it's way to the feet of Pete Goodall, taking a slight touch off the Camberley defender on its way.  He beat the right back hit a low, hard shot that beat the goalkeeper at his near post.

The referee blew the whistle fairly soon after with the final score 10-1 to Chawton.


The Elstead Lighting man of the match was a tough one, with the whole team producing a fine performance from start to finish.  Will Rietzler tormented the opposition defence in the first half, who couldn't cope with his pace.  But the honours went to Jake Channon who dominated the centre of midfield.  He broke up the attacking play of the home side and was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet himself.

Goals:  Furey (3), Hodkin (2), M Taylor, Rietzler (2), Booth, Goodall

Man of the Match, Jake Channon, on the ball.

Saturday, 8 October 2011

Cup Draws and Upcoming Fixtures

Chawton Athletic have been given two home draws in the next round of the Eric Holbrook and Hampshire Cups.

Later this month they welcome the Blackwater Badgers to Jubilee Park in the second round of the Eric Holbrook Cup.  A fortnight later they make their Hampshire Cup debut at home to King George FC from Southampton.  Both matches will prove to be tough encounters but the team are more than capable of winning both!

Sandwiched in between the cup matches is a trip to Farnham for the reverse fixture against Aldershot Park Elite, who will hope to have improved since the 11-0 thrashing handed to them in Chawton's first game of the season.  They'll hope to have a full eleven fit too, no doubt!

But up tomorrow are the Camberley Cougars.  Badgers, cougars?  The club's in talks with Marwell Zoo as we speak...

League: Chawton Athletic 2 West Liss 4

Starting XI:  Paul Nicholson (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), James Harvey (CM), Mikey Phillips (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Martin Booth, Jordan Dunbar, Pete Goodall, Ashley Brooks, Matt Stevens.

Chawton suffered their first defeat of the season, and the first at their new home, at the hands of arch rivals West Liss.

The game kicked off with the Yellows playing into the sun, which made it hard for the home side's defence and keeper to see the ball.  The Liss side took the lead thanks to a sloppily defended corner.  The ball wasn't cleared and it was hit home, despite Paul Nicholson almost getting a touch to it.

The lead was short lived though as Athletic equalised through Ryan Furey.  He hit his fifth goal in two games after Marc Taylor's free kick near the halfway line made its way all the way through to him.

Chawton went into the break 1-2 down though as another corner was poorly marked and the Liss centre back headed home at the back post.

The yellows made a change at half time, with hard working Pete Goodall taking the left wing slot from the departing Phillips.  The change seemed to pay dividends when Ben Hodkin equalised.

The match was beginning to flow, with both sides going close to take the lead.  Unfortunately it was again the away side who poked their noses in front.  Another set piece, another failing and Athletic had it all to do again.

But despite putting some more fresh legs on, West Liss finally got the decisive goal and the match was all but over, with very little time to find two goals.  The match ended 2-4.

A tough match, a hard result to take on the chin, but the tireless performance of Jamie Oakley was a positive, which saw him pick up the Elstead Lighting man of the match.

Goals:  Furey, Hodkin.

Tuesday, 27 September 2011

League: Chawton Athletic 5 Cove Youth Reserves 5.

Starting XI:  Martin Booth (GK?.  Jamie Oakley (RB), James Harvey (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Danny Taylor (CM), Jake Channon (CM), Mikey Phillips (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Andy Vickers (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, Pete Goodall, Jordan Dunbar, Ashley Brooks, David Nicholson.


Chawton Athletic came from behind five times to earn a share of the points and maintain their unbeaten start to the season against a strong Cove Youth Reserves side.

Ben Hodkin slips a ball forward for his strike partner.
It took a while for Athletic to find any sort of rhythm, by which time they were a goal down.  Despite the lack of cohesion, the home side battled their way into the match and, after a few robust challenges, were awarded a free kick thirty five yards out.  Player-manager Marc Taylor stepped up hit it towards goal.  The shot should have saved, but the ball slipped through the keeper's fingers and into the back of the net.

The away side kept up the aerial bombardment and duly scored another before half time, with Booth in goal just getting his fingers to it.  It was a deserved lead at the break for the Youth side, but the Yellows were still in it.


Martin Booth dives for the ball.
After a good team talk at half time, Chawton finally got the ball down and played their usual passing game.  It soon paid off when Mikey Phillips equalised after a superb long ball from Danny Taylor.  The lead, however, was short lived as Cove pulled ahead again thanks to a half-volleyed finish under pressure.

Athletic were back in the game again when Phillips scored his second goal on his full competitive debut, following excellent work from captain Ben Hodkin who completely outfixed the defence.  Following another Cove goal, Phillips turned provider.  Marc Taylor's block and clearance found Phillips on the wing and his lofted ball forward sat up nicely for Hodkin to loop his shot over the keeper.

Danny Taylor slides in to win the ball.
Booth in goal then pulled off a couple of excellent saves, including a full stretch dive to tip a dipping shot onto the bar.  But he was powerless to prevent Cove going ahead for the fifth time late on.  But Chawton were not to be outdone and once again fought back.  Their persistence was rewarded when Andy Vickers opened his account for the season, by coolly slotting past an onrushing Cove keeper following good build up play from Ashley Brooks, on for his first competitive appearance.

There was still time for controversy at the death, when substitute David Nicholson thought he was about to snatch an unlikely winner only to find himself nudged in the back at the vital moment.  But alas, no foul was given and an entertaining match ended 5-5.


Man of the match, Mikey Phillips.
The first half display was one to forget, but the never-say-die attitude of the team in the second half meant it was a hard fought point.  Once again, Danny Taylor and Jake Channon impressed in midfield, but the Elstead Lighting man of the match was Mikey Phillips for his energetic performance on the left wing, topped off with his first two competitive goals for the club.


Goals:  M. Taylor, Phillips (2), Hodkin, Vickers.

Saturday, 24 September 2011

Eric Holbrook Cup 1st Round: Chawton Athletic 7 Alton Wanderers 1.

Starting XI:  Jamie Oakley (GK).  Matt Stevens (RB), James Harvey (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), Danny Taylor (CM), Pete Goodall (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Andy Vickers (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, David Nicholson, Jordan Dunbar, Ashley Brooks, Michael Phillips.

Chawton Athletic have started the season in blistering fashion and have now settled into their new Jubilee Fields home.  Following last week's 11-0 victory in the league, it was time to start a cup run on Sunday as they faced local rivals Alton Wanderers Reserves in the first round of the Eric Holbrook Cup.

After a fairly even opening ten minutes, in which both sides got forward without really threatening the goals, Chawton slowly began to dominate possession.  They duly opened up a 2-0 lead with Ben Hodkin opening the scoring with a typically calm finish.  Will Rietzler added the second before half time.

Before the break, though, there was still time for controversy as Pete Goodall, following up from an over-hit cross, saw his rifled shot cleared onto the post by what appeared to be an arm.  Unfortunately the referee was unsighted so a penalty and/or red card was not forthcoming.

So the Yellows went in 2-0 up at half time, but felt they could have scored four or five, as there were also some chances put wide in the first half.

The second half began as the first half ended, with the Yellows on top.  Rietzler scored twice again to complete the first back to back hat-tricks by a Chawton player.  Danny Taylor then scored a memorable goal to open his account, taking on half the opposing side, before scoring off the underside of the bar!

Wanderers did manage to pull a goal back, as keeper Oakley was unsighted until the last second, but the scoreline was restored by Jake Channon's bullet header from a pinpoint Rietzler corner.  Captain Hodkin added his second of the match and after a flurry of substitutions, Athletic ran out 7-1 winners.

The reward for the win is a game against Blackwater Badgers in the second round, while this week's match is at home to Cove Youth Reserves.

Elstead Lighting Man of the Match, Danny Taylor.

There were a lot of positives to take from the match, not least Will Rietzler's continuing good form and, once again, James Harvey's strong defensive game, but the Elstead Lighting Man of the Match was awarded to Danny Taylor for a commanding midfield performance, coupled with a wonder goal!

Goals:  Rietzler (3), Hodkin (2), D Taylor, Channon.

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Video Special - Aldershot Park Elite (H).

Three videos from the previous game!

First up is a throw in, which sees a well timed tackle on Jake Channon, followed by a foul given against Jamie Oakley... who reacts slightly petulantly:




Next up is a corner that falls to the deadly Will Rietzler... who makes no mistake:




Finally, a corner from the other side sees a completely unmarked Pete Goodall head just wide of the post:



League: Chawton Athletic 11 Aldershot Park Elite 0.

Starting XI:  Martin Booth (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), James Harvey (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), Danny Taylor (CM), Pete Goodall (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, Jordan Dunbar, Ashley Brooks, Michael Phillips, Matt Stevens.

Chawton Athletic began the 2011/12 league season in record breaking fashion at the new home, against a depleted Aldershot Park Elite.

Danny Taylor wins the header.
The away side started with ten men, waiting for another player but an early injury forced their only sub on.  Will Rietzler set the tone for what was to come, when he slotted home in the first five minutes, only to see his goal chalked off for offside.

But it was not long before he got on the scoresheet, when the first of many followed a deft finish.  The Yellows were dominating the half and the wide, flat Jubilee playing surface allowed them to play their preferred brand of slick passing football.  Rietzler and Oakley were causing carnage down the right flank and when the ball was switched, Bale and Goodall matched it.  Elite could not cope and found themselves 6-0 at half time.

Two early second half goals came, and then complacency seemed to drift into Athletic... something they had previously never suffered from, as they'd never been eight goals to the good.  A couple of substitutions (competitive debuts for Mike Phillips and Jordan Dunbar) put new life into the game, which was now being played in heavy rain showers, and Chawton finished on a high with a further three goals being knocked in.

Jake Channon make the pass.
Booth in goal rarely had anything to do, although Elite did have a couple of shots from distance.  The defence kept a reasonably tight line, making it hard for the away side.  Another competitive debutante Danny Taylor was partnering Jake Channon in midfield and not much got through.

Overshadowing captain and leading scorer Hodkin, would did get on the scoresheet, were Ryan Furey and Will Rietzler who both notched four goals each - although Furey should have had at least one more when he missed a sitter from no more than five yards!  There were even rare goals from both centre backs, Marc Taylor and James Harvey!  Final score was 11-0 with the strikers also contributing to nine assists between them.

Man of the Match, Will Rietzler.
Elstead Lighting Man of the Match:  Will Rietzler - four goals, and dominated the wing!


Goals:  Rietzler (4), Furey (4), Hodkin, Harvey, M Taylor.

Sunday, 4 September 2011

Pre-Season Friendly: Alton XI 1 Chawton Athletic 6

Starting XI:  Martin Booth (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), Marc Taylor (CB, Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), James Harvey (CM), Pete Goodall (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, Jordan Dunbar, Danny Taylor, Ashley Brooks, Michael Phillips, Matt Stevens.

Defending a corner.
Summary:  From the first minute to the last whistle, Chawton were the team in charge of this match, without really leaving 2nd gear.  Indeed the scoreline even flattered the Alton side, as Athletic should have scored even more than the six they ended up with.  Pick of the goals was a direct free kick from Jake Channon at a tight angle.  Mikey Phillips also pitching in for his first goal for the club.

MoM, Kyle Bale, keeps his eye on the ball.
Man of the Match:  Kyle Bale.

Goals:  Hodkin, Furey 2, Rietzler, Channon, Phillips.

Thursday, 25 August 2011

Pre-Season Friendly: Four Marks 2 Chawton Athletic1.

Starting XI:  Martin Booth (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Martin Skilton (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), James Harvey (CM), Pete Goodall (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, Steve Merritt, Ashley Brooks, Michael Phillips.

Hodkin takes on Four Marks.
Summary:  A solid performance against a higher standard Saturday league side.  Athletic were certainly more prepared for this game after last week's result.  The Yellows dominated the match, taking the lead five minutes into the second half after a goal-less first period.  They only let the game slip away in the final five minutes, conceding an offside goal with five minutes remaining and a second with the last kick of the game following a goalmouth scramble.

Man of the Match:  James Harvey, he showed his strength in midfield throughout the full 90.

Man of the Match, Harvey in midfield.
Goals:  Furey

Sunday, 14 August 2011

Pre-Season Friendly: Crown Hotel 2 Chawton Athletic 3.

Starting XI:  Martin Booth (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Patrick Cross (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), Ben Hodkin (CM), Kyle Bale (LM).  Andy Vickers (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, David Nicholson, Jordan Dunbar, Nathan Ingram, Ashley Brooks.

Summary:  Chawton, donning their new home strip, showed the management's idea to start pre-season training in early June had paid off.  Their passing and workrate were second to none and team spirit shone throughout the match with the Yellows running out worthy winners.  All the more pleasing knowing their opponents are a team three divisions higher than them!

Man of the Match:  Martin Booth. He pulled off some great saves, including the saving of a penalty which, ultimately, won Chawton the game!

Goals:  Hodkin, Furey, Rietzler.

Pre-Season Friendly: West Liss 5 Chawton Athletic 3.

Starting XI:  Martin Booth (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), David Nicholson (CB), Steve Merritt (CB), Marc Talyor (LB.  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), Ben Hodkin (CM), Kyle Bale (LM).  Nathan Ingram (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, James Harvey, Jordan Dunbar, Pete Goodall, Ashley Brooks, Matt Stevens.

Summary:  Chawton faced old foes West Liss in the traditional pre-season friendly.  Athletic experimented with a few tactical changes, which did not work out in the end.  The home side had the upper hand for the majority of the game, but there are some positives to be taken from this game, not least the three well taken goals.

Man of the Match:  Kyle Bale. Another sterling performance from the Yellows' new midfielder.

Goals:  Furey 2, Hodkin

Squad List for 2011/12 Announced.

The Club's management has announced the full squad list for the 2011/12 season:

1  - Martin Booth (vice captain)
2  - Jamie Oakley
3  - Carl Waterfield
4  - James Harvey
5  - Steve Merritt
6  - Marc Taylor
7  - Ben Hodkin (captain)
8  - Jake Channon
9  - Andy Vickers
10 - Ryan Furey
11 - Will Rietzler
12 - Kyle Bale
13 - Martin Skilton
14 - David Nicholson
15 - Jordan Dunbar
16 - Pete Goodall
17 - Nathan Ingram
18 - Ashley Brooks
19 - Mike Phillips
20 - Matt Stevens

League Announces Teams and September Fixtures.

The League Body have had a shuffle of the leagues this season to accommodate the big influx of new teams.  Chawton are to play in Division Seven this season and begin playing their games on the 11th September with all their games for this first month being at our new home, the Jubilee.


11th Sept –  Aldershot Park Elite (League)
18th Sept – Alton Wanderers Res (Eric Holbrook Cup: 1st Round)
25th Sept – Cove Youth Res (League)

ADSFL DIVISION SEVEN TEAMS:
-          ALDERSHOT PARK ELITE
-          ALTON WANDERERS RES
-          CAMBERLEY COUGARS RES
-          CHAWTON ATHLETIC
-          COVE YOUTH RES
-          DYNAMO COVE RES
-          LINDFORD
-          PLOUGH & HORSES RES
-          RUSHMOOR CELTIC
-          TNCP
-          WATERLOO
-          WEST LISS

Wednesday, 20 July 2011

Off-season update coming soon!

Details of friendlies and sponsorship deal(s) coming to a CAFC blog near you soon...!

Monday, 27 June 2011

Website Updates and Monies Due.

Website
Chawton Athletic's main website (t'other one that has all the stats and such) is about to get a revamp, thanks to hosts Clubwebsite.  Check it out after the 29th June to see it in all its glory!

Fees Due
Players signing up for the 2011-12 season need to have their fees paid by 1 September.  This includes any due from last season.  But as the Club wishes to buy new kits before the season starts, players are encouraged to pay sooner than later if possible to enable us to get it before we kick off the season.  Signing on costs £20 and is payable to the Treasurer, Carl Waterfield.  Contact details are on this site and the main website.
Forms (and photos for any new players) need to be given to Marc.

Training
Turn-outs at training have been reasonable, with an average of 12 each week.  Training sessions have been varied and usually taken by Marc, Paul and Ben H.

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

AGM Venue Confirmed.

The club's AGM venue has been confirmed.  The meeting will be held at the Assembly Rooms, Alton.  Once again, it is advisable to turn up if you want to see how the club is moving forward.

Monday, 30 May 2011

Club A.G.M. on Sunday.

The Club is having it's Annual General Meeting on Sunday 5 June 2011 at 7pm.  The venue has not yet been finalised, but it should be in Alton.

All members, old and new, are welcome to come and have a say in how the club goes forward.  The club's current rules are on the official website (under "documents").  If there are any changes to be voted on, please let Carl know by Saturday!

Official event is on the FB group!


Training will also start on Sunday.  It will b at 10am at the Diggers, pitch permitting!

Monday, 9 May 2011

End of Season... the Awards, the Records, the Celebrations!

Chawton Athletic staged their annual end of season do last night which also was their first awards night after a record breaking season.


The first award of the evening was for the Top Goalscorer. There was obviously one clear winner, Ben Hodkin, who scored 21 goals.  Second place was Martin Booth scoring 6, Paul Nicholson and Andy Vickers were joint third with 5 goals each.  Hodkin's total also entered him into the Chawton record books for most goals in a single season (previous holder was Sam Hewett with 14).  He also also now the club's leading goalscorer, overtaking Hewett's 20.


Second award of the night went to James Harvey (who was unable to attend) for the Most Improved Player, as voted for by his fellow players.  Jake Channon was a close second with Pete Goodall in third, a good effort considering he has only been playing since January.


Next award was for the Players' Player Of The Season, the main award voted by the team, which went to Ben Hodkin to give him his second award of the evening.  Paul Nicholson and Jake Channon in a close second and third place respectively.


The main honour of the evening, Player Of The Season, was given to Paul Nicholson for a successful first season with the Yellows.  From his midfield position, he contributed 5 goals, at least 3 assists and was named man of the match no less than 5 times.  Ben Hodkin and keeper Martin Skilton were also in close contention for this award.


Other, less official, awards gifted were to David Nicholson for Comment Of The Year for "It's my propeller", Matt Stevens' 8-ball gained Photo Of The Year and Donkey Of The Year goes to Marc Taylor-Penfold and Jake Channon for taking each other out instead of the other teams attacker.




It was a record breaking season for the Yellows, with new unbeaten and win streaks being completed (three matches for each) as well as notching up record home and away wins!


With an announcement that took some players by surprised, manager Carl Waterfield announced he was stepping down as Team Manager to concentrate on personal affairs, but would be carrying on as Treasurer.  He thanked the players for their help and support as manager and leaves the position as the club's most successful manager to date, a fact he attributes to the increased cohesion the team was getting when he took over in October.  The Board are now looking at their options for the new season, with Marc Taylor-Penfold assuming it on a temporary basis.


Stay tuned to the blog and website for details of the club's AGM and when pre-season training will commence.  The AGM is an opportunity for players to have their say in the running of the club and all players new and old are encouraged to attend.  Two weeks notice (at least) will be given!

Monday, 21 March 2011

Div6: Chawton Athletic 1 New Inn 6.

Chawton Athletic succumbed to their second heavy defeat in a row, with a disjointed performance against title-chasing New Inn.

Using the remaining games for a little experimentation, manager Waterfield opted to change things around for this match.  In front of Skilts in goal, was a defence of Williams, David Nicholson, Stevens and Harvey.  Taylor-Penfold was chosen to start as the defensive midfielder, behind a midfield four of Goodall, Paul Nicholson, Channon and Rietzler.  Booth again started as the lone striker.


Channon challenges aerially.
Athletic found themselves a goal down early on.  Some slacking tracking left newly installed captain Dave Nicholson no option but to concede a dangerous looking free kick.  And from that, the ball was headed in at the far post.

It was soon two, as a corner kick went in via a deflection from Taylor-Penfold.  And it went from bad to worse as New Inn got a third before half time.  A gap opened on the left side of defence, and the Reds' winger's cross nodded home at the near post.

With the Yellows trailing 0-3 at half time, changes soon followed.  Harvey moved to the defensive midfield position with Taylor-Penfold dropping to left back and Williams moving to the right of defence.


Taylor Penfold watch Booth head the ball.
Chawton started the second half the better side, with their passing game finally providing some incision into the opponents half.  But they failed to make it count and soon were made to pay for this when New Inn got a fourth.  Skilts in goal was left with no chance as the striker hit a delightful dipping shot from fully twenty yards.

The substitutions soon followed, with Furey replacing the tired Rietzler and Waterfield coming on for Goodall, with Williams moving to the newly vacant left wing position.

It made very little difference to New Inn as they added fifth.  Taylor-Penfold had to deal with three attacking players and as Nicholson came across to cover a gap opened at the far post and left an easy tap-in.

The game got a little fractious, with Ryan Furey picking up a yellow card for a retaliatory diving tackle after the away side's foul was not punished.  The fouled New Inn player perhaps lucky to get away with a ticking off after reacting angrily to the challenge.

Athletic scored their first goal in three matches, as hard work from Ollie Williams down the left paid off as his shot went in off the crossbar.
Goalscorer, Williams.
A sixth goal was the final nail in the coffin as the visitors ran out 1-6 winners.


The experimental nature of the line-up contributed to the lack of cohesion, although the lack of communication was also apparent.  That said, there were some hard working performances with Marc Taylor-Penfold and James Harvey playing well.  The man of the match honours though went to glovesman, Martin Skilton.

Man of the match, Martin "Skilts" Skilton.

Monday, 7 March 2011

Honours Even in the Battle of Waterloo.

Chawton welcomed Waterloo to the Recreation Ground this week in search of the three points that would take them to 6th in the table, overtaking the visiting opponents.

Manager Carl Waterfield stuck with the new tactics employed the previous week, although was forced into a few changes due to absentees.  James Harvey stepped in the centre back role alongside captain Marc Taylor-Penfold, while Martin Booth was preferred up front.  Pete Goodall retained his place on the wing after impressing the week before.


Channon rises highest defending a corner.
The first half passed relatively uneventfully, with some good slick passing play all over the field by both sides.  This meant chances were few and far between.  Chawton did get a couple of shots away, but nothing that troubled the Waterloo keeper too much, while the away side could do no more than force a couple of easily dealt with corners.

And that was it for the first half, the score level at 0-0.


Williams has his eye on the ball.
Chawton had the better start to the second half and came close to breaking the deadlock when a Paul Nicholson corner whizzed across the six yard box but the Athletic players failed to get the crucial touch it needed.

The ball falls to Paul Nicholson.

After that chance, most of the attacking opportunities fell to the away side, who had the wind and slight pitch slope with them.  Waterloo constantly bombarded the Yellows' defence but the home side battled hard to hold them off.

Athletic goalkeeper Martin Skilton caused everyone at the Rec to have a heart in mouth moment, when he was unable to hold a shot by the speedy Waterloo striker.  The striker's header was parried, but then rolled towards the goal, but luckily Chawton's no.1 clawed it off the line.

Nicholson again, heading clear.

Shortly after, the ref blew his whistle to confirm Chawton Athletic's first ever goalless stalemate and extend their current unbeaten streak to three matches.  Final score, a bore draw 0-0!


Waterfield sits back as Chawton attack.

Chawton kept their third clean sheet of the season which showed that there had been a good defensive play.  The new tactics employed by manager Waterfield continued to work well against the hard working Waterloo side.  A slight disappointment was to not take advantage of the domination in the first half, with the wind at the team's back.

In a display of decent defending (most of the time!), it was no surprise that stand-in centre back James Harvey was given the players' man of the match vote, although Taylor-Penfold and Skilton in goal enjoyed good games too.

The rest of the pictures:

Man of the match, Harvey, clears his lines.
Channon dribbles past his opponent.
A promising attack with Goodall and Booth.
Hodkin takes on the Waterloo defence.
Anyone have any idea how nobody got a touch on it?!