Tuesday 1st April 2008
Sydenham’s Wessex League
Premier division

CHRISTCHURCH v AFC TOTTON

Following the previous Saturday’s disappointing home defeat manager Graham Kemp made a few changes to his starting line up:

1 Jason Collins
2 Ross Walliss
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley
5 Chris Dillon
6 Lloyd Jenvey (capt)
7 Andy Borthwick
8 Paul Manning
9 Russell Cook
10 Marc Burrows
11 Paul Rideout

12 Steve Linpow
14 Zach Glasspool
15 Martin Lawrence
16 Colin Dand
17 Harry Rolph


The first half started off at an extremely fast pace which continued throughout the evening. The big, strong, physical attributes of Totton were used to the full and just 15 minutes into the match Andy Borthwick found his game over when following an alleged elbow incident he was taken to hospital to have several stitches put in a cut above his eye. Shortly after this Dan Crutchley went down from a “leading arm” foul challenge but recovered to continue the match. Totton were always dangerous going forwards and their pace and movement was as one would expect from a side chasing the league championship. At times Christchurch’s defending was bordering on the desperate and in the 25th minute Totton opened the scoring. A cross from the right was expertly volleyed home to give the visitors the lead. If Totton thought Christchurch were going to lie down then they were very much mistaken and 5 minutes before half time an equaliser was scored. A Chris Dillon long throw caught ex Christchurch keeper Gareth Barfoot out in the Totton goal and Marc Burrows crept in to somehow slide the ball home off some part of his anatomy! Right on half time Jason Collins saved well low down to his left.

Half time: Christchurch 1 AFC Totton 1

The second half saw AFC Totton come out with even more determination to win the game but it was Christchurch who unexpectedly took the lead. Paul Rideout raced down the right and brilliantly played Marc Burrows in. Burrows, whose pace had troubled the giant Totton defenders all evening outstripped his marker and placed the ball beyond Barfoot and into the net. Totton appeared to be stunned and then continued to press the Christchurch defence for the remainder of the match. With an hour played Totton grabbed a controversial equaliser. As Christchurch keeper Jason Collins came well off his line to collect a through ball the Totton forward robustly challenged with studs held dangerously high and collided with the teenage keeper resulting in the ball slowly rolling over the line to even the score. Totton were now in the ascendancy and a shot smashed against Collin’s left hand post and then a Totton free kick was hammered against the crossbar. The winning goal came near the end of this pulsating game and it was a goal worthy of winning any game. A cracking shot from 25 yards gave Collins no chance and how Totton celebrated! There was still time for a vociferous penalty appeal for Christchurch to be turned down before this exciting game came to a close.

Final score: Christchurch 2 AFC Totton 3

A superb game in which all the Christchurch players stood up to be counted against what is surely the Champions elect.

The Bridgeman

Monday 24th March 2008
New Milton Town v Christchurch


For this Easter Monday mid-day kick off manager Graham Kemp selected the following line up:

1 Jason Collins
2 Colin Dand
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Steve Linpow
6 Ryan Woodford
7 Andy Borthwick
8 Paul Rideout
9 Richard Cooke
10 Marc Burrows
11 James Burden

12 Paul Manning
14 Lloyd Jenvey
15 Zach Glasspool
16 Ross Walliss
17 Martin Lawrence


From the first kick off eighteen year old keeper Jason Collins had to be alert to the New Milton attack being led by ex Christchurch striker Robbie Woolner. Collins made several good saves during the match and his handling was exemplary during the first period when Christchurch were continually on the back foot. Paul Rideout, Russell Cooke and Marc Burrows all had half chances at the other end as Christchurch countered without any real menace.

Half time: New Milton Town 0 Christchurch 0

The second half saw more of Christchurch as an attacking force but they had to wait until ten minutes from the end of the game before they took the lead. Zach Glasspool had just come off the bench to replace Richard Cooke. Glasspool won a tackle in midfield and sent Marc Burrows away down the right, Burrows cleverly beat his man before sending in a great cross for Glasspool to score in the corner of the net with a crisp left foot shot. A couple of minutes later and Collins pulled off the save of the match when he dived full length to his right to tip away a Woolner shot. Christchurch could have extended their lead first when James Burden smashed a shot against the crossbar and then when Martin Lawrence was put through but having delayed his shot too long the chance was gone. Just before the final whistle New Milton’s full back was red carded as Christchurch cantered home.

Superb team defending, with skipper Dan Crutchley excellent at the heart of the defence, good goalkeeping and a well taken goal at the other end were the ingredients for this well earned three points.

Final score: New Milton Town 0 Christchurch 1

The Bridgeman

Saturday 22nd March 2008
Sydenham’s Wessex Combination division 1

CRISTCHURCH Reserves v DOWNTON Reserves

Manager Tim Collins selected the following line up:

1 Joe Pradomo
2 Darren Saunders
3 David Legg
4 Matt Collins
5 Steve Hillyer
6 Ian McIntosh
7 Rudi Reis
8 Alex Jones (capt)
9 Chris Mawer
10 Dave Sclanders
11 Paul Conroy

12 Peter Old
14 Shaun Brian
15 Ollie Dean
16 Dean Collins

The game started with a bitterly cold cross wind and contrasting bright sunshine. Right from the start the Christchurch side attacked and with just 3 minutes gone skipper Alex Jones slipped a beautiful through ball to centre forward Chris Mawer who expertly finished to give the home side the lead. Christchurch continued to attack with Alex Jones, Ian McIntosh, Darren Saunders and Chris Mawer all going close to extending the lead. Jones then repeated his previous glorious pass by once again putting Mawer through. A thunderous shot, which went in via the keeper’s right hand post, gave Mawer and Christchuch their second goal of the game. By now it was beginning to look like a training session for the Christchurch side but a tendency to hang onto the ball too long meant that several promising moves broke down. Downton got their first shot on target on 30 minutes but Joe Pradomo was well placed in the Christchurch goal to make a routine save. Barely 2 minutes before half time Christchurch’s Brazillian Rudi Reis swung a corner over for Paul Conroy to stoop and head the ball home. Immediately following this Christchurch attacked again and a venomous right foot volley from full back Darren Saunders was well parried by the Downton keeper. Dave Sclanders followed up well to score from the rebound. Half time and the result was all wrapped up.

Half time: Christchurch Res 4 Downton Res 0

The second half saw Christchurch pass the ball more efficiently and really this poor Downton side just could not live with them. Chance after chance were being created by this now rampant Christchurch side and 10 minutes into the half Ian McIntosh crossed for Chris Mawer to score with a bullet header and to complete his hatrick. Manager Tim Collins gave 3 of his subs a run out at this point and David Legg, Dave Sclanders and Matt Collins were replaced by Peter Old, Shaun Brian and Dean Collins. The intense pressure on the Downton goal continued and Chris Mawer went on to bag 6 goals in the game. Other scorers in the second half were Dean Collins, Rudi Reis with a perfect penalty kick and Paul Conroy with a goal that was worthy of winning any goal of the season competition. As a defender headed the ball out of the Downton penalty area Conroy connected with a left foot volley as the ball dropped over his shoulder some thirty yards from goal. The startled Downton keeper’s expression as the ball smashed into the back of the net was a joy to behold!

A good afternoon for the goal average but surely results such as this are not in anybody’s best interest.

Final score: Christchurch Res 11 (yes eleven) Downton Res 0

The Bridgeman

Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Christchurch


Although players such as Adam Costello, Russell Cooke, Steve Linpow and Rory Anderson were all injured manager Graham Kemp still had a strong squad from which to select the following line up:

1 Jason Collins
2 Colin Dand
3 Chris Dillon
4 Dan Crutchley
5 Ross Wallis
6 Lloyd Jenvey (capt)
7 Andy Borthwick
8 Martin Lawrence
9 Zach Glasspool
10 Marc Burrows
11 James Burden

12 Paul Rideout
14 Dan Taylor
15 Les Wallace
16 Rudi Reis
17 Paul Manning


Eighteen year old Jason Collins replaced the injured Rory Anderson in goal and James Burden recently signed from Bashley made his debut on the left of the midfield. Brazilian newcomer Rudi Reis was on the bench.

Christchurch took a time to settle in this match and appeared to be at odds with the 3 – 5 – 2 formation that they played. Whilst the defence looked to be giving the Bemerton forwards too much room at times, when attacking Christchurch put together some exciting passing moves. And so it was when 12 minutes into the game a great move ended when Andy Borthwick fed the ball through to Zach Glasspool whose shot went just over the bar. Bemerton attacked down the left flank and a low cross deceived Jason Collins in the Christchurch goal to give the home side the early lead. The young keeper went on to make several good catches and saves during the first half. Christchurch got stronger as a unit and Glasspool hit the post with the Bemerton keeper well beaten. Martin Lawrence had a long shot well saved and then with 39 minutes gone a terrific series of passes saw Christchurch equalise. Andy Borthwick put skipper Lloyd Jenvey through in the left channel. Jenvey crossed low for Dan Crutchley to intelligently roll the ball back to James Burden who joyfully smashed home his debut goal to level the scores.

Half time: Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1 Christchurch 1

The second period started with a bang in the 2nd minute as Marc Burrows expertly lobbed the Bemerton keeper to give Christchurch the lead. For most of the half Christchurch passed the ball well and kept Bemerton under pressure. Glasspool, Burrows and Lawrence all went close to increasing Christchurch’s lead but the half ended when the ball was given away in midfield and Bemerton scored with a viscous cross shot to earn their share of the points. Christchurch were by far the better side for long periods of this game but they just couldn’t find the killer instinct to score the third goal and kill their opponents off.

Final score: Bemerton Heath Harlequins 2 Christchurch 2

The Bridgeman

Tuesday 26th February 2008
Sydenham’s Wessex League premier division

CHRISTCHURCH v BRADING TOWN

Following two disappointing performances both culminating in heavy defeats manager Graham Kemp made a few changes to his starting line up:

1 Rory Anderson
2 Colin Dand
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley
5 Steve Linpow
6 Lloyd Jenvey
7 Garry Funnell
8 Martin Lawrence
9 Zach Glasspool
10 Paul Manning
11 Paul Rideout

12 Marc Burrows
14 Les Wallace
15 Ross Walliss
16 Chris Dillon
17 Andy Borthwick

Following a mix up on the ferry Brading turned up with Cowes Sports blue kit rather than their own strip which necessitated Brading borrowing Christchurch’s away red kit for the evening. What a scoop for our sponsors – both teams playing with “IN-EXCESS” on their chests!

The first half saw a rather tepid performance from Christchurch with Zach Glasspool playing the lone striker role. The chances were far and few between but Paul Rideout did manage to hit the post when put through by Gary Funnell. Brading looked the more likely to score but a glaring miss towards the end of the half meant that the teams went for their break with both goalkeepers unbeaten.

Half time: Christchurch 0 Brading Town 0

The second half saw a much better display from Christchurch with some fine passing leading to many attacking moves. As the pressure built on Brading’s goal Gary Funnell was crossing some lovely centres into the danger area and Zach Glasspool, Paul Rideout and Martin Lawrence all came close to opening the scoring. Brading refused to buckle under the pressure and several good breakaway moves led to Rory Anderson in the Christchurch goal making several fine saves to keep his side level. As the clock ticked towards full time it became more and more likely that one goal would probably win the game. However we had to wait until 2 minutes from the end of normal time before we got a goal, and what a beauty it was. Several Christchurch corners were scrambled clear by the now overworked Brading Town defence when one such clearance reached Martin Lawrence some twenty yards from goal. Lawrence swung his right boot to joyfully despatch the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net for a glorious winner. Hard luck on Brading who themselves had chances to win the game but perhaps Christchurch deserved the result for their second half performance.

Final score: Christchurch 1 Brading Town 0

Man of the Match: RORY ANDERSON

The Bridgeman