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.
Friday, 3 February 2012
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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| Rietzler puts in a tackle. |
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.
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| Taylor takes a free kick. |
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.
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| Furey keeps his eye on the ball. |
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.
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| Goalkeeper Booth. |
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!
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| Channon getting up above the Waterloo defence. |
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.
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| Channon stops the striker hitting Harvey (who's clearly scared!). |
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.
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| Watkins enjoyed a good game at left back. |
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.
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| Substitute, Goodall. |
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.
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| Blog Man of the Match, Harvey (foreground) and Merritt. |
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
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!
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!
Sunday, 11 December 2011
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.
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.
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.
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