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.

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.

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.

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.