Chawton played their first ever double header last Sunday, against newly revitalised TNCP. The double header involved two 60-minute games played one after another, both being played on a damp Binsted Rec ground.
TNCP's recent good form demanded respect and as such Manager Carl "Mourinho" Waterfield tried out some new tactics (tweaked with some of his players) which saw the Yellows line up in a new 4-5-1 formation.
For the first match, the defence of Jake Channon, Martin Booth, Marc Taylor-Penfold and Ollie Williams started in front of the returning Skilts in goal. James Harvey took the new defensive midfielder position behind Paul Nicholson and Ben Hodkin, with Ryan Furey and Will Rietzler on the wings. Justin Swales made his first appearance as the lone striker.
The new formation suffered an early set back as Furey went off injured after barely five minutes to be replaced by Pete Goodall. But this early substitution provided dividends soon after, when some impressive passing freed Swales on the right. His perfectly weighted cross found the head of the unmarked Goodall at the far post and his first touch of the game whizzed into the back of the net to put Chawton a goal up.
Captain Taylor-Penfold was lucky not to be booked for a clattering challenge that sent the away side's winger flying through the air. However Athletic were punished when the resulting free kick found the back of the net thanks to some scrappy defending.
TNCP firmly took control of the game before half time as a counter attack and some gaps on the left allowed them to score two silly goals. The side went in 1-3 down at half time and had a time to go over the tactics once more.
Chawton started the second half as they did the first, by scoring a goal. Talismanic striker Hodkin got on the end of scramble in the box, craftily pulled it back and shot for 2-3. This was his first goal for a few games and set him up for a great half.
Just as the home side were improving further, they got another set back when a defensive error allowed TNCP to put themselves two goals ahead again.
Hodkin added his second, and Chawton's third, goal of the game to set up a grandstand finish.
Taylor-Penfold did eventually go into the referee's book when another foul on the TNCP striker on the halfway line was one foul too many.
Five minutes from time, Athletic got the equaliser their second half performance deserved. Goodall's quick feet brought a foul inside the box and the home side were awarded the penalty. With pressure mounting, Hodkin stepped up confidently to seal his hat-trick in emphatic fashion, his first for the club.
The match had further chances but neither side could capitalise and the match ended 4-4. The Management team's man of the first match was Pete Goodall. But there was room for improvement, and improve Chawton did...
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For the second match, Waterfield added some fresh legs into the team. Goodall kept his place and started on the left, while Andy Vickers replaced Will Rietzler on the right. Nathan Ingram started up front, with Swales moving to the bench. Dave Nicholson passed a late fitness test and was rewarded with the centre-back position next to Taylor-Penfold. Waterfield himself started at right back, pushing Jake Channon into the defensive midfield position with James Harvey starting as sub and duly offering to run the line.
Chawton started the second game as they finished the first, full of energy and looking dangerous. It wasn't long before they took the lead, with Vickers finishing off a fine passing move from a cross by Ingram.
The "away" team were in the ascendancy and were really getting to grips with the new formation. Chawton's energetic wingers were causing no end of problems for TNCP.
Paul Nicholson's hard work in midfield was rewarded when his shot from the edge of the box proved too much for the TNCP keeper to handle. He couldn't get enough on it and it was 2-0.
Athletic added a third before halftime. A mammoth goal kick into the wind found it's way all the way to Hodkin, who made no mistake and scored his fourth goal of the day. The score remained 3-0 until half time.
Despite shouts from his teammates, Taylor-Penfold didn't hear the calls of man-on allowing the TNCP striker to nick the ball and pull one back.
But the Yellows immediately stepped up a gear and exerted more pressure on a tired looking opposition back-line. Goodall could have, and probably should have, added a fourth but his despairing dive failed to connect with a cross-shot and his effort went wide. Paul Nicholson almost got another when his free kick was tipped over the bar (see first video).
Goodall and P Nicholson were replaced with ten minutes to go, bringing on relatively fresh legs in the form of Swales and Rietzler.
The rout was indeed completed though, when Ingram battled hard cutting in from the right to find space. His shot was initially blocked but he hit the rebound with aplomb and the net bulged for 4-1 (see second video).
Chawton saw out the remaining minutes with little problems. A moment of pinball in their box was as close as TNCP got to another, but Vickers and then Waterfield on the line blocked inward shots on goal.
The match ended 4-1. Again the Management Team came up with the man of the match. In a game where the tactics worked well and the team played hard, the honours went to Jake Channon for his tireless efforts in midfield, protecting the back four - in which Dave Nicholson also impressed.
Next up, in the first of three more home matches in a row, is a game against Waterloo. A performance like the one in the second game is needed to get anything out of this game... look sharp!
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