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.