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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Div6: Chawton Athletic 1 New Inn 6.

Chawton Athletic succumbed to their second heavy defeat in a row, with a disjointed performance against title-chasing New Inn.

Using the remaining games for a little experimentation, manager Waterfield opted to change things around for this match.  In front of Skilts in goal, was a defence of Williams, David Nicholson, Stevens and Harvey.  Taylor-Penfold was chosen to start as the defensive midfielder, behind a midfield four of Goodall, Paul Nicholson, Channon and Rietzler.  Booth again started as the lone striker.

Channon challenges aerially.

Athletic found themselves a goal down early on.  Some slacking tracking left newly installed captain Dave Nicholson no option but to concede a dangerous looking free kick.  And from that, the ball was headed in at the far post.

It was soon two, as a corner kick went in via a deflection from Taylor-Penfold.  And it went from bad to worse as New Inn got a third before half time.  A gap opened on the left side of defence, and the Reds' winger's cross nodded home at the near post.

With the Yellows trailing 0-3 at half time, changes soon followed.  Harvey moved to the defensive midfield position with Taylor-Penfold dropping to left back and Williams moving to the right of defence.

Taylor Penfold watch Booth head the ball.

Chawton started the second half the better side, with their passing game finally providing some incision into the opponents half.  But they failed to make it count and soon were made to pay for this when New Inn got a fourth.  Skilts in goal was left with no chance as the striker hit a delightful dipping shot from fully twenty yards.

The substitutions soon followed, with Furey replacing the tired Rietzler and Waterfield coming on for Goodall, with Williams moving to the newly vacant left wing position.

It made very little difference to New Inn as they added fifth.  Taylor-Penfold had to deal with three attacking players and as Nicholson came across to cover a gap opened at the far post and left an easy tap-in.

The game got a little fractious, with Ryan Furey picking up a yellow card for a retaliatory diving tackle after the away side's foul was not punished.  The fouled New Inn player perhaps lucky to get away with a ticking off after reacting angrily to the challenge.

Athletic scored their first goal in three matches, as hard work from Ollie Williams down the left paid off as his shot went in off the crossbar.

Goalscorer, Williams.

A sixth goal was the final nail in the coffin as the visitors ran out 1-6 winners.


The experimental nature of the line-up contributed to the lack of cohesion, although the lack of communication was also apparent.  That said, there were some hard working performances with Marc Taylor-Penfold and James Harvey playing well.  The man of the match honours though went to glovesman, Martin Skilton.

Man of the match, Martin "Skilts" Skilton.

Honours Even in the Battle of Waterloo.

Chawton welcomed Waterloo to the Recreation Ground this week in search of the three points that would take them to 6th in the table, overtaking the visiting opponents.

Manager Carl Waterfield stuck with the new tactics employed the previous week, although was forced into a few changes due to absentees.  James Harvey stepped in the centre back role alongside captain Marc Taylor-Penfold, while Martin Booth was preferred up front.  Pete Goodall retained his place on the wing after impressing the week before.

Channon rises highest defending a corner.

The first half passed relatively uneventfully, with some good slick passing play all over the field by both sides.  This meant chances were few and far between.  Chawton did get a couple of shots away, but nothing that troubled the Waterloo keeper too much, while the away side could do no more than force a couple of easily dealt with corners.

And that was it for the first half, the score level at 0-0.

Williams has his eye on the ball.

Chawton had the better start to the second half and came close to breaking the deadlock when a Paul Nicholson corner whizzed across the six yard box but the Athletic players failed to get the crucial touch it needed.

The ball falls to Paul Nicholson.

After that chance, most of the attacking opportunities fell to the away side, who had the wind and slight pitch slope with them.  Waterloo constantly bombarded the Yellows' defence but the home side battled hard to hold them off.

Athletic goalkeeper Martin Skilton caused everyone at the Rec to have a heart in mouth moment, when he was unable to hold a shot by the speedy Waterloo striker.  The striker's header was parried, but then rolled towards the goal, but luckily Chawton's no.1 clawed it off the line.

Nicholson again, heading clear.

Shortly after, the ref blew his whistle to confirm Chawton Athletic's first ever goalless stalemate and extend their current unbeaten streak to three matches.  Final score, a bore draw 0-0!

Waterfield sits back as Chawton attack.

Chawton kept their third clean sheet of the season which showed that there had been a good defensive play.  The new tactics employed by manager Waterfield continued to work well against the hard working Waterloo side.  A slight disappointment was to not take advantage of the domination in the first half, with the wind at the team's back.

In a display of decent defending (most of the time!), it was no surprise that stand-in centre back James Harvey was given the players' man of the match vote, although Taylor-Penfold and Skilton in goal enjoyed good games too.

The rest of the pictures:

Man of the match, Harvey, clears his lines.

Channon dribbles past his opponent.

A promising attack with Goodall and Booth.

Hodkin takes on the Waterloo defence.

Anyone have any idea how nobody got a touch on it?!

Div6: Chawton Athletic 3 Lindford 2

Chawton Athletic played their first home game of 2011 against ex-Farnham League rivals, Lindford. The Yellows recent form has lifted them to a respectable mid-table in their maiden season in the Aldershot league. Previous club records had been smashed along the way and four wins in the last five outings meant this was due to be a cracker.


Athletic lined up in the familiar 4-4-2, with Skilton in goal. The solid backline of Channon, Stevens, Dave Nicholson and Taylor-Penfold behind a midfield quartet of Nathan Ingram, Harvey, Paul Nicholson and Williams. Booth and Hodkin continued in attack. Player-Manager, Waterfield, Russell and Goodall started on the bench.


The game set off at a terrific pace, with Chawton having the better spells in attack. The strikers Hodkin and Booth were linking up well wth Paul Nicholson. The defence did their part too, limiting the Lindford forwards to nothing more than long shots.

Hodkin gets stuck in.

Athletic took the lead a mere five minutes into the match, after a Nathan Ingram corner reached Williams at the back post. He held the ball well until Channon arrived in support, collected Williams' pass and hit a looping shot from fully twenty yards, which went in the top corner - leaving the away sides keeper with no chance and the scoreline at 1-0.
The Yellows nearly increased their lead soon afterwards, as a good cross into the box by Hodkin just evaded the final touches of the onsliding Booth and Williams. But, luckily, a few minutes later the scoreline was doubled when a similar cross did find the back of the net. Williams with the crucial touch at the back post to make it 2-0.

Dave Nicholson jumps highest!

Still within the first twenty five minutes, Chawton stretched their lead even further after some of the usual fancy footwork by Paul Nicholson and another inch perfect cross by Hodkin found the head of Booth who powered home for 3-0.
The home side were cruising now with confidence flowing throughout the team. Clean crisp passing down both wings were causing Lindford no end of problems. However, the away sidedid pull one back before half time, thanks to a dubious offside decision. The ball touched a defender on the way through to the first forward, but the second pass to the forward who scored was also offside, the referee not seeing the linesman's flag and giving the goal.

Half time came with the score at 3-1 and the match delicately poised.

Harvey and Paul Nicholson attempt to win the ball.

The second half started with a bit more venom from both sides, a faster pace and tougher tackles. The referee had to remain calm and to exude his authority on a number of players as some mistimed tackles from both sides threatened to disrupt the match.
The wing play was a joy to behold at the beginning of the half, with Williams and Ingram working hard on the flanks. They were finding a lot more space, but the ball failied to reach them on a few crucial occasions.
Booth had a chance to notch his second goal of the game, but powered his shot over the bar after being set through on goal.

"Yellow head on that!"

The right hand side was providing an outlet, with more good passing between Hodkin, Ingram and Paul Nicholson.
The Yellows eventually conceded a second goal with ten minutes remaining. There were also some doubts as to whether the forward was onside, but the linesman saw nothing wrong. 3-2 was now the score and this set up a tense final ten!

The final onslught from Lindford began and captain, Taylor-Penfold, had to be alert to block a shot at front post from a free kick.
The away side forced several corners and free kicks in the final five, and even their keeper was coming up for them as they pressed for a fairly undeserved equaliser. But the Chawton back line, aided by the other six outfield players, held out and indeed even had a chance at a shot on an open goal... but the shot was not forthcoming.
Manager Waterfield was relieved to hear the final whistle go, with Chawton securing their third win on the bounce, 3-2.

Man of the match, Ollie Williams, as voted for by the players.

The hard fought victory brought good performances from a number of players. Jake Channon at right back defended resolutely and linked up well with Nathan Ingram down the wing as well as getting his blinding goal. Ben Hodkin laid on two assists for his team-mates and provided many more crosses. Martin Booth's header was extremely well taken and he worked tirelessly for the team. The defence held up well to the Lindford challenge and were unlucky to concede the two goals.
But the man of the match, chosen by the players, went to the other goal scorer Ollie Williams for his well taken goal and excellent running down the left wing.
Lindford have an immediate chance for redemption as they host Chawton Athletic's next game, in two weeks time. In the meantime, there will be training next Sunday... at a time and venue to be decided.