The short trip across to Broxhead Common found the Chawton Athletic players in confident mood after last week's morale boosting victory of Royal Exchange (match details for this game should be posted on this site once I have them), to take on Lindford.
The sun was shining and all was well with the world as Chawton kicked off against the side, whom last year under the guise of Wey Valley Sunday had seriously dented Athletic's confidence on three separate occasions.
This time it was Athletic who took the bull by the horns and as Lindford struggled to get there passing game going it was Athletic who should have taken the lead as a great ball across feel to Pat who forced the Lindford keeper into a smart save down to his right, and it would be the last time he came to Lindford's rescue.
Athletic; though perhaps riding their luck on occasion; were matching their better organised opponents and Si anchoring midfield looked likely to create Athletic another chance. Bob and new signing Toby up front led the line well, but the Lindford centre back dealt with most threats well, including winning virtually everything in the air.
Lindford took the lead with 25 minutes gone, as a slick one-two was tucked past the unlucky Martin in the Athletic goal. Despite the setback Athletic did not allow their heads to drop and worked hard to get back into the game. Sadly it was Lindford who were next to trouble the scorers as a near post corner was diverted into his own goal just ahead of the striker by Carl, very unfortunate for the industrious right midfielder.
Chawton soon had something to cheer about as they broke clear down their right and Carl's left-footed cross was swept home tidily by Toby, nothing less than Athletic deserved, not perhaps for technical ability but for grit and determination.
Lindford came back strongly and were slowly putting the squeeze onto Athletic and it was not long before another through ball saw a spinning Lindford forward cheekily back-heel the ball past the on-rushing Martin.
The heads were starting to drop a little now and Lindford stepped up their dominance of the midfield and added a fourth as a wildly dragged cross shot fell into the path of the forward who finished first time into the corner.
There was time for an excellent Si chipped and curled effort to be turned round the post by the Lindford keeper, it looked destined for the top corner and was a great save indeed.
Lindford added a 5th before half time with a long range effort.
Chawton despite the scoreline were upbeat at half time, knowing that they could create chances if they kept plugging away, but again it was Lindford that made the early break through, almost mirroring the finish of the 5th but this longer range effort was curled into the opposite corner.
Keeper Martin was replaced due to injury and Matt took his place making his debut for the season.
The game quietened down a bit and although Lindford always looked dangerous on the break, the game was won and this allowed Athletic back into the game. Several passages of play went the Chawton men's way and again the keeper did well to keep a Si header out. Athletic forced corners and created half chances but Lindford created chances of their own and Matt did well to turn a cross short round the post and to close down a one-on-one and save well.
Lindford finally added to their tally as a goal kick came straight back to the Lindford sub who fired past a slightly out of position Matt into his near post.
Blog man of the Match was Si in midfield, an excellent effort indeed, lots of energy and very unlucky not to have scored at least once.
Next week Chawton are away to Royal Exhange this time in the Cup.
No comments:
Post a Comment