Chawton Make a Splash in Cup Semi-Final!

ADSFL Division 7 Cup Semi-Final
4 March 2012

CHAWTON ATHLETIC 2
LINDFORD 0

Starting XI:  Martin Booth (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Jake Channon (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Pete Goodall (RM), Danny Taylor (CM), James Harvey (CM), Andy Vickers (LM).  Ben Hodkin (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Substitutes:  Carl Waterfield, Ashley Brooks, David Nicholson, Mikey Phillips
Referee:  Derek Taylor

A second postponement at the Jubilee for this tie was not enough to stop this game from going ahead, as the match was switched to the slightly less waterlogged Lindford pitch.  Chawton overcame giving up home advantage to triumph and reach their first cup final since the re-birth of the club in 2010!


The pitch was heavy, but playable, and the rain light.  In the conditions, it took both sides a while to warm up and the first fifteen minutes merely presented half chances for each side.  Possession was fairly even and neither keeper looked in any real danger.

The first clear cut chance fell to Chawton though, as a back pass was penalised by the referee, who awarded the Yellows an indirect free kick inside Lindford's area.  Ben Hodkin knocked it to Jake Channon to hammer it towards goal, but his shot was also towards the keeper.  He spilled his shot, but nobody was close enough to follow it up.

Lindford finally got a decent chance on goal from a corner.  Despite beating the Athletic keeper, they could not beat Pete Goodall on the line who cleared the ball.

This kick started Chawton into life and they duly put the Lindford defence under a sustained period of pressure.  Martin Booth in goal had to be alert to Lindford's counter attacks and was forced into a couple of saves before the half time whistle came.

With the late pressure, the away could feel hard done by at not being in front against the division's second placed team.


Chawton started the second half as brightly as they ended the first, and an Andy Vickers corner was headed home by Channon to give the lead.

The pitch was really starting to get more boggy and this contributed to some misplaced passes.  One pass that was not misplaced was that by James Harvey to Hodkin just before the hour mark.  Hodkin slipped in the surging Danny Taylor, who slid the ball past the keeper to put the Yellows 2-0 up and provide a little daylight between the teams.

By this point the game was getting pretty even and indeed a little tetchy.  Mikey Phillips came on, after Vickers had taken a knock from a late tackle, to provide some fresh impetus.

But it was the other winger Goodall that was catching the eye, with his runs causing no end of problems for a tiring Lindford backline.  One such run provided a glorious chance to put the game beyond the home side's reach, but unfortunately he just put his shot past the far post.

Lindford were trying desperately to grab a goal back, Marc Taylor having to clear a corner or two.  Tackle began to fly in and one opposition player was shown a yellow card for one too many frustrated kicks at Danny Taylor.

With barely five minutes on the clock, Lindford thought they had pulled one back when the ball fell to the striker who was clean through and lifted the ball over an advancing Booth in goal.  But Athletic's 12th man, Mr A. Puddle came to there rescue as the exasperated Lindford player saw the ball stop on the line with Channon reacting quickest to clear the ball!

The match ended to a cheer from all those in Yellow, with the score 2-0.  A second final for Chawton Athletic, the first since the new administration took control, and they will be hoping to go one better than they did in the 2010 Runwick Cup final.


There were some outstanding performances on the day.  Danny Taylor dominated the midfield, ably assisted by James Harvey breaking up the play.  Ben Hodkin put in a captain's game up front, working hard to track back in the second half to protect the lead.  Pete Goodall had an excellent game on the wing for the second week running, a performance only lacking a goal to top it off.  Martin Booth in goal pulled off some good saves to help preserve the clean sheet.

Elstead Lighting Man of the Match:  Jake Channon.  The centre back dominated the back line and broke the deadlock with a cracking header.

Man of the Match, Jake Channon

Chawton Plough Through P&H.

ADSFL Division 7
26 February 2012

CHAWTON ATHLETIC 4
PLOUGH & HORSES RESERVES 1

Starting XI:  Martin Book (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Jake Channon (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Kyle Bale (LB).  Pete Goodall (RM), James Harvey (CM), Danny Taylor (CM), Mikey Phillips (LM).  Ashley Brooks (FW), Ben Hodkin (FW).
Substitutes:  Elliot Watkins, Andy Vickers, Will Rietzler, Kieran Lenachan.
Referee:  Jay King.

Following two narrow defeats in 2012, Chawton Athletic finally got their calendar year off the ground with a well deserved victory over Plough & Horses Reserves at the Jubilee.

Ben Hodkin opened the scoring.

Straight from the off, the Yellows quickly got into their stride.  It was less than ten minutes before they got on the scoresheet.  Ashley Brooks crossed from the left channel to Ben Hodkin, who's shot was initially blocked.  But he reacted quickest to the rebound and slotted home.

Chawton began dominating possession, with Plough limited to counter attack opportunities.  But it was one of these that led to the equaliser after 18 minutes. The away side broke down their left flank and the striker found himself goal-side of the centre backs and slipped it in off the far post.

This gave Plough their best spell of the game and Martin Booth was forced into a low save at the striker's feet to keep the scores level.

James Harvey marauds forward!

That spell lasted a mere three minutes before a thunderbolt from Jake Channon put Athletic ahead again.  His speculative shot from thirty yards bounced down off the crossbar and went back in off the keeper.  The linesman ruled the initial shot had crossed the line before the keeper's touch, thus sparing his blushes!

Starts for Brooks and Pete Goodall looked good moves as they worked hard to keep their place and Channon in the centre of defence was generally clearing all Plough's balls pumped into the box.

Martin Booth collects the ball.

Some good skills from Danny Taylor, surging forward, set up Hodkin, but his shot was well held by the keeper.  But a few minutes later it was 3-1.  Kyle Bale's cross was met by Hodkin, but again his initial shot was saved.  The keeper couldn't quite get the ball under control, and Hodkin poked it in from the goalie's hand.

And a minute before half time it was four.  Again, some skilful work from Danny Taylor allowed him to find space for a cross which alluded his marauding midfield partner James Harvey.  But Ashley Brooks made no mistake with a cool finish into the corner, reinforcing manager Marc Taylor's decision to start him.

The game was 4-1 at half time.

Jamie Oakley... not fouling!

The second half was almost all Chawton.  Within five minutes of the restart, Bale had a good run down the left flank and crossed for Brooks to hit first time.  His shot rebounded off the crossbar and was cleared from danger.  From that clearance, Jake Channon lost the ball trying to clear and set the Lough striker clean through.  However, he chased back and put in a crunching recovery tackle that averted the danger.

The first substitution came after 56 minutes with Brooks coming off to an ovation from the bench and being replaced by Kieran Lenachan - making his debut after his deadline day transfer.

A ball forward from Hodkin found Lenachan within moments of coming on, his cross found Mikey Phillips who couldn't get his shot on target.

Mikey Phillips takes a shot.

Goodall saw a cross fumbled by the Plough keeper but his reaction header was then cleared.  It was to be his last act of the match and again was congratulated for his efforts when coming off, Elliot Watkins his replacement.  This moved Bale further forward.

Phillips had a chance to atone for his earlier miss, but mishit his shot at the far post resulting in an easy clearance.  Plenty of endeavour from the Athletic winger, but unable to find the clean shot needed.  With Taylor's final roll of the dice, Phillips was replaced by Andy Vickers with a little over quarter of an hour to play.

Jamie Oakley had been battling hard all game and he knocked a ball through to James Harvey on 75 minutes.  Harvey steadied himself but dragged his shot narrowly past the far post.

Debutant Kieran Lenachan given a welcoming hug!

Into the last ten minutes and the Yellows forced a corner.  This was whipped in to the far post where it was met by the head of Channon, his shot whacking the crossbar and bouncing clear.

There was still time for a couple more shots on goal before the final whistle, but Bale had the best chance and saw the keeper save his shot.

There was even still time for Plough to have a final go at goal, but Booth in goal was equally up to the task and easily saved.  That was to be the last action of the game and Chawton finished 4-1 winners, unable to add to their half time advantage.


A hard fought win with plenty to build on.  The four week lay off had taken its toll on some players but some much needed pitch time ahead of this Sunday's big cup match (weather permitting).  Pete Goodall worked hard down both flanks and Ashley Brooks provided some good movement up front with Hodkin to create some openings.  Jake Channon was again dominant in defence, with a solid Martin Booth behind him.

Elstead Lighting Man of the Match:  Danny Taylor.  Ran the midfield with James Harvey and set up some clear cut chances, including an assist for Brooks' goal.

Man of the Match, Danny Taylor.

Yellows Have Busy Deadline Day!

Chawton Athletic worked hard on transfer deadline day to bring a new face to the club, ahead of their clash with old rivals West Liss on Sunday.

The Yellows swooped to poach attacker Kieran Lenachan from bottom of the table Aldershot Park Elite for an undisclosed fee - thought to be a handful of Woolworths pic 'n' mix and the promise of shiny new shorts.  Lenachan was the stand out player for Elite when the two sides recently met in the Division 7 Cup and they will no doubt be devastated to lose him.

Chawton travel to Liss on Sunday for the return trip to their old Farnham League rivals, hoping to finally get the win that has thus far eluded them.  With a flurry of sleet and snow, coupled with plunging night time temperatures, the game is in some doubt though - only time will tell if the Liss groundstaff are able to keep the game on.

The game represents the last league game before both clubs play the Division 7 Cup semi-final.

Chawton Lose Battle of Waterloo.

ADSFL Division 7
22 January 2012

WATERLOO  2
CHAWTON ATHLETIC  1

Starting XI:  Martin Booth (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Elliot Watkins (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), James Harvey (DCM), Ben Hodkin (CM), Andy Vickers (LM).  Ryan Furey (FW).
Substitutes:  Pete Goodall, Ashley Brooks, Kyle Bale, Mikey Phillips.
Referee:  Graham Smith.

Chawton Athletic finally got to play a match in 2012, following Alton Wanderers' demise and Rushmoor Celtic's frozen pitch, but failed to get any of the points their possession deserved in this closely fought encounter at Waterloo.

Rietzler puts in a tackle.

The almost-two-month break seemed to have taken its toll on Athletic, who were slow out of the blocks.  An early chance fell to Waterloo with the Chawton midfield caught in possession from the kick-off.  The striker couldn't compose himself though and didn't test Martin Booth in goal.  The warning wasn't heeded either as the home side had another clear cut chance from the game's first corner but, despite some slack marking at the back post, the header went over.

It was fully five minutes before Chawton properly tested the experienced Waterloo keeper.  When they did, it was a result of some trademark slick passing but Ben Hodkin's shot was well saved.  The resulting kick was shanked right out of play, allowing the Yellows to keep the pressure on.  A through ball from Hodkin found a marauding James Harvey who's shot was saved down low.

Taylor takes a free kick.

The game was beginning to become end-to-end.  Waterloo countered and drew a smart save from Booth.  His kick wasn't brilliant and only made it as far as Marc Taylor, back after a long injury lay off.  Taylor's clearance was left by an offside Will Reitzler and found its way to Harvey who had closed down an attack.  Harvey coolly round the keeper and slotted home to give Chawton a 1-0 lead.

Energised, the away side started to boss the game and some tasty tackles flew in.  Elliot Watkins slid in and committed a foul, before Jamie Oakley riled the Waterloo number 12 with a crunching tackle.  The ref called it, but it didn't stop the Orangeman squaring up to the Athletic right back.  After a quick word, play resumed.

Furey keeps his eye on the ball.

From the free kick, the home side won a succession of corners.  The first was headed by Jake Channon on to his own post, but the second was expertly tipped away by Booth.  After that the game finally settled down.  There was a lot of Chawton possession, but the final ball seemed to constantly go to an orange shirt.

Following a Ryan Furey free kick which went harmlessly over, the Yellows attacked again and a Rietzler through ball to Furey found him apparently offside... or so the Waterloo defence informed their assistant referee who duly obliged with the flag, a debatable call at best!

The next attack saw Andy Vickers have a shot blocked, followed by a bit of pinball in the box.  Nobody could get the final shot off though and it was cleared.  A poor low corner from Rietzler somehow found its way to Channon at the far post.  After rounding one player, he was crowded out by the other defenders before being able to pick out a teammate.

Goalkeeper Booth.

The pressure was relentless, with Oakley the next to have a long range pop at goal.  Given acres of space down the right, he ran forward with the ball and hit a swerving shot from twenty five yards which was headed for the top corner.  Alas, there was not enough power behind it and the keeper easily caught it.

The three musketeers then combined to set Furey through on goal.  But following too much time on the ball he tried to find Hodkin, but the pass was cut out.  Again the final ball wasn't there.  Shortly after, Furey find Rietzler down the right and he puts in a peach of a ball, splitting the defence, to find Hodkin.  He tries to round the keeper, but he showed his experience and dived at the striker's feet just at the right time.

Completely against the run of play, a sliced clearance from Taylor results in Waterloo winning a corner.  The corner deceives everybody and the ball goes in off a combination of Jamie Oakley's head and the crossbar for a totally undeserved equaliser.

That was practically the last move of the half, bar some abuse from the assistant ref!  The game delicately poised at 1-1 with Waterloo definitely the happier to be level!

Channon getting up above the Waterloo defence.

Athletic started the second half as they finished the first, on the front foot.  There was plenty of neat passing until near the opposition box, when the ball was lost.  Another Harvey long shot went wide of the post, the midfielder proving he has developed a taste for shooting!

Next it was Waterloo's time to show they could pass the ball.  But try as they might, they could not get past a resolute Chawton defence, with Taylor, Merritt and Channon putting in some decent blocks.  Oakley and Watkins also reminding the Oranges they weren't afraid of putting in some decent challenges.

Channon stops the striker hitting Harvey (who's clearly scared!).

Watkins then found his long range passing game and a sweeping pass forward set Furey free down the left channel.  Unfortunately, he was forced too far wide and could only shoot across and past the far post.

The ref then made a bad call regarding an advantage, following a foul in the middle when Vickers had been set through, down the left.  From the free kick, thirty five yards out, Taylor blasted over.  Vickers then almost turned to villan as a sloppy pass put the defence under attack, but the midfielder's shot was hit way over the bar.

Watkins then combined with Furey again, with the latter drawing a foul a few yards outside the area.  Channon stepped up, but couldn't keep his kick down.

Watkins enjoyed a good game at left back.

Then, again from nothing, the ball is lost in midfield and a slip at the back leaves the Waterloo striker one on one with Booth in goal who can't stop him from putting the home side in front.  Chawton's profligacy had haunted them again!

Athletic look to get back on level terms immediately and a cross finds Vickers at the far post, with his post wide after some good control.  Another long ball then finds Furey down the right.  He keeps the ball on the pitch and pulls back for Rietzler.  His shot down low is well saved, and then held on to - the keeper not looking like giving away an easy goal.

Waterloo could have made sure with quarter of an hour to go.  Substitute Kyle Bale stretching to head clear a long ball over the top, but inadvertently finds the Waterloo winger.  His shot beats Booth but also the far post.

Substitute, Goodall.

The game again looked to fizzle out, with Pete Goodall coming on to replace Will Rietzler on the right.  A Kyle Bale cross looks a good one, but nobody is in the box to meet it.  The cross comes back in from the other side and only James Harvey gets anywhere near, with the ball being inches behind him.

The final move of the match sees a Chawton corner headed over the bar by Ben Hodkin, with the Yellows' keeper in the opposition box to try and get something out of the game.  But that's pretty much the final touch and the game ends a disappointing 1-2.



It was a game that Chawton did not deserve to lose and the home side can count themselves very lucky to take all three points.  That said, it was a mixture of some good, at times desperate, Waterloo defending and some wasted Chawton passes that allowed them to hold the lead.  There some positives and the battling in the middle of Jake Channon and James Harvey was good.  The two full backs, Jamie Oakley and Elliot Watkins also impressed, and there was nothing Booth could do about the two goals - he looked solid throughout.

Elstead Lighting Man of the Match:  Elliot Watkins.  Another commanding performance from the young defender.  Although blogger Wulfy actually chose James Harvey!  Strong and commanding, particularly in the first half, and got the Yellows off to the start they needed with his goal.

Blog Man of the Match, Harvey (foreground) and Merritt.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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