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.

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

Pre-Season Friendly: Crown Hotel 2 Chawton Athletic 3.

Starting XI:  Martin Booth (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), Steve Merritt (CB), Marc Taylor (CB), Patrick Cross (LB).  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), Ben Hodkin (CM), Kyle Bale (LM).  Andy Vickers (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, David Nicholson, Jordan Dunbar, Nathan Ingram, Ashley Brooks.

Summary:  Chawton, donning their new home strip, showed the management's idea to start pre-season training in early June had paid off.  Their passing and workrate were second to none and team spirit shone throughout the match with the Yellows running out worthy winners.  All the more pleasing knowing their opponents are a team three divisions higher than them!

Man of the Match:  Martin Booth. He pulled off some great saves, including the saving of a penalty which, ultimately, won Chawton the game!

Goals:  Hodkin, Furey, Rietzler.

Pre-Season Friendly: West Liss 5 Chawton Athletic 3.

Starting XI:  Martin Booth (GK).  Jamie Oakley (RB), David Nicholson (CB), Steve Merritt (CB), Marc Talyor (LB.  Will Rietzler (RM), Jake Channon (CM), Ben Hodkin (CM), Kyle Bale (LM).  Nathan Ingram (FW), Ryan Furey (FW).
Subs:  Carl Waterfield, James Harvey, Jordan Dunbar, Pete Goodall, Ashley Brooks, Matt Stevens.

Summary:  Chawton faced old foes West Liss in the traditional pre-season friendly.  Athletic experimented with a few tactical changes, which did not work out in the end.  The home side had the upper hand for the majority of the game, but there are some positives to be taken from this game, not least the three well taken goals.

Man of the Match:  Kyle Bale. Another sterling performance from the Yellows' new midfielder.

Goals:  Furey 2, Hodkin

Off-season update coming soon!

Details of friendlies and sponsorship deal(s) coming to a CAFC blog near you soon...!

FRND: West Liss 5 Chawton Athletic 0.

Sunday saw Chawton Athletic travel to Liss to take on West Liss (formerly The Bluebell) in a hastily arranged friendly.

Due to injuries, unavailabilities and late drop outs, the ten men of Chawton lined up against Liss with help from one of their substitutes in a 4-4-2 formation.  Skilts took the gloves in goal, behind a back line of Waterfield, Stevens, Nicholson and Taylor-Penfold. Furey, Hodkin and Ingram started in midfield with Booth and Turnbull up front.

The first half started solidly.  Some resolute defending and some safe hands saw off any Liss threat in the first half and hour.  But the good start was undermined by a crazy fifteen minute spell before half time which saw Athletic ship five goals.

The first goal saw a wet ball skid through the keeper's gloves.  The next two goals were certainly dubious, Chawton's reward for playing a high line.  The fourth was a good finish from the Liss forward, shot with the outside of his boot to the bottom right corner.  The fifth, again, was another goal that had a hint of offside about it.

The second half came and a chance to start from scratch, being just a friendly.  Chawton forced a few corners, which amounted to nothing but were containing Liss well.  Liss did eventually get the ball in the net again but it was ruled out for offside!  Chawton were hanging on in the end as Turnbull went off after picking up an injury, with Waterfield also struggling after jarring his neck in the first half.

The game ended 0-5, with plenty to build on before the first league game of the season on the 19th.  Man of the match honours went to Martin Booth.

Upcoming fixture Sunday 28th March 2010

Chawton Athletic return to action this Sunday, 28th March, as they take on AFC Wanderers in a friendly at Binsted.

Wanderers had got the better of Athletic in their first meeting at Broadwater School, running out winners 6-2 in a far closer contest than the scoreline suggests.  However, Athletic took revenge 4-2 in the tie at Binsted, so it promises to be a closely fought affair once again.

Wanderers have taken 3rd spot in the Farnham and District Sunday league and sit just 1 and 2 points behind CSL Hartley Wintney and Lindford respectively, albeit having played three games more.

Another victory at the weekend, 3-1 against the Royal Exchange, has seen them move onto 19 points and has also pushed their goal difference into the positive.  Athletic are still holding position in 7th on 10 points, with 3 wins and a draw from their 11 fixtures so far.

Injury News - Si P is still nursing a damaged knee and is likely to be missing from the football field for another 2 weeks, Scott D seems more likely to return from the ankle injury that has kept him out for several weeks.

Still awaiting availabilities, but am hopeful as ever that we will have a full compliment and that as a friendly we will be able to make as many substitutions as we like, but this is to be clarified with the referee on the day.

As per usual for home games - it is a 9:30am sharp meet at Binsted as there are the nets and flags to do. Also there are jobs to do after every home game; so please don't all rush off and leave it to the same few people.

Remaining Chawton Athletic Fixtures

Currently the remaining fixtures look like this.

28th February 2010 - Home to AFC Wanderers - Friendly
28th March 2010 - Away to Bluebell - League
11th April 2010 - Home to CSL Hartley Wintney - League
18th April 2010 Away to Royal Exchange - League

Obviously, at some point, we have the final of the Runwick Cup to play.  I will ensure that everyone knows when and where this game is due to be played, as soon as I am made aware by the League.

There are several other free Sundays for some of the other teams in March and I will probably look to try and arrange at least one more friendly so that we do not have a month off between the AFC Wanderers game and the Bluebell game.  I will, of course, keep you all posted as to any developments friendly wise.

M