Saturday 6th December 2008

F.A. Vase 3rd round

CHRISTCHURCH v NEW MILTON TOWN

Christchurch manager Graham Kemp had Gareth Barnes and Steve Linpow suspended and Jon Brock injured so he selected the following line up:

1 Stewart Kearn
2 Colin Dand
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Chris Dillon
6 Adam Wiltshire
7 Mark Smith
8 James Burden
9 Russell Cook
10 Mark Burrows
11 Michael Green

12 Ben Osborne
14 Paul Rideout
15 Simon Keates
16 Sam Longman
17 Paul Manning
GK Jason Collins

With the rain persistently falling during the week the Hurn Bridge ground staff performed wonders in getting the pitch fit for play. However the top half of the pitch was extremely soft. Christchurch were attacking this end in the first half and the first real strike on goal came after 10 minutes when James Burden crossed from the right for Marc Burrows to shoot straight at the keeper. New Milton were winning several free kicks in dangerous positions but Stewart Kearn in the Christchurch goal dealt comfortably with the crosses. Russell Cook had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring but put his shot just wide of the goal. After 16 minutes Chris Dillon launched one of his long throws into the New Milton penalty area where skipper Dan Crutchley nodded the ball on for Marc Burrows to flick a header just inside the far post to give Christchurch the early lead they wanted. In the next Christchurch attack Burrows had a long range shot which took a wicked bounce just in front of Tom Clifton-Moore in the New Milton goal resulting in a difficult save for the stopper. At the other end ex Christchurch striker Robbie Woolner struck a vicious shot over the bar but New Milton’s main threat came from the free kicks that they gained but couldn’t make them count.

Half time: Christchurch 1 New Milton Town 0

The second half was barely two minutes old when Marc Burrows struck again for Christchurch. Mark Smith won a midfield tussle and played a glorious through ball for the speedy Burrows to chase. As the New Milton keeper advanced Burrows calmly lifted the ball over him and into the net to double the home sides lead. Try as they did New Milton created few chances but Stewart Kearn did have to tip one shot over the bar. With 15 minutes left to play Christchurch sealed their victory in an emphatic way. Michael Green won a ball just inside his own half and went on a run where he left several New Milton defenders in his wake. As Green scorched the turf with his pace down the left wing Russell Cook was advancing into the penalty area. Greens inch perfect low driven cross was met by the young centre forward and despite the close attention of the defender Cook found the back of the New Milton net to complete the afternoons scoring.


Final score: Christchurch 3 New Milton Town 0

Christchurch Man of the Match sponsored by “Den’s Diner” MARC BURROWS

The Bridgeman