Saturday 20th September 2008
F.A. vase 2nd qualifying round

CHRISTCHURCH v PETERSFIELD TOWN

Christchurch welcomed Wessex 1 side Petersfield Town to Hurn Bridge for this F.A. vase fixture. Christchurch line up:

1 Stewart Kearn
2 Steve Linpow
3 Michael Green
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Chris Dillon
6 John Brock
7 Mark Smith
8 James Burden
9 Russell Cooke
10 Mark Burrows
11 Simon Keates

12 Martin Lawrence
14 Paul Rideout
15 Steve Strong
16 Dan Taylor
17 Ben Osborne

Christchurch manager Graham Kemp made one change to the starting line up for the previous game with Simon Keates coming into the side and Dan Taylor dropping to the bench.

The match was played in brilliant sunshine and Christchurch started at a hot pace. Russell Cooke and Marc Burrows were prominent up front for Christchurch as Petersfield found it difficult to get into the game. Christchurch were passing the ball extremely well and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring with just 9 minutes gone. Michael Green advanced down the left and played the ball inside to Russell Cooke who was tackled but the ball ran loose to Simon Keates on the edge of the penalty area. Keates struck a delightful shot with his right foot, which powered into the keepers top left hand corner of the net for the opening goal. Christchurch piled on the pressure and only desperate defending from the Petersfield back line kept the score down. On the half hour a delightful move between Jon Brock, Simon Keates and Steve Linpow finished with Marc Burrows clean through as Petersfield appealed for offside. Burrows perhaps uncharacteristically pulled the ball back across goal but missed the advancing Christchurch players. A lengthy drop kick from Christchurch keeper Stewart Kearnes evaded the Petersfield central defenders and put Burrows again clean through. Burrows shot however was well saved by the keepers legs. Some of the football that Christchurch were playing was from the top drawer and at the end of the first half a superb move involving Jon Brock, Mark Smith, Simon Keates and Russell Cooke saw Brock shooting just wide.

Half time: Christchurch 1 Petersfield Town 0


The second half saw Petersfield Town come more into the game and their midfield in particular started to play with confidence. In fact Petersfield were unlucky not to equalise on a couple of occasions, once when a corner was flicked on and the ball was volleyed high over the bar and once when the post came to Christchurch’s rescue. This scare seemed to wake Christchurch up and a short corner resulted in James Burden crossing for skipper Dan Crutchley to play the ball down to Marc Burrows who saw his low shot parried by the keeper to substitute Ben Osborne who netted his second in two games which wrapped up the game for Christchurch.

Final score: Christchurch 2 Petersfield Town 0

Christchurch Man of the Match sponsored by “Den’s Diner” DAN CRUTCHLEY

The Bridgeman

Saturday 6th September 2008 F.A. vase 1st qualifying round

CHRISTCHURCH v HARTLEY WINTNEY

This game followed the poor showing last Saturday in the FA cup and manager Graham Kemp made several changes to his starting line up:

1 Stewart Kearn
2 Steve Linpow
3 Michael Green
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Chris Dillon
6 John Brock
7 Mark Smith
8 James Burden
9 Gareth Barnes
10 Mark Burrows
11 Martin Lawrence

12 Russell Cook
14 Paul Rideout
15 Ben Osborne
16 Dan Taylor
17 Steve Strong

The Christchurch manager had done his homework so he changed his side’s formation to a 3 – 5 – 2 line up to match the opponents formation. During the first half Hartley Wintney looked dangerous down their flanks with their left sided wingback proving particularly sharp. However it was Christchurch who drew first blood after 13 minutes when Marc Burrows glanced home a James Burden corner. Almost immediately Stewart Kearn had to be alert to get down low to his left to stop Hartley Wintney equalising. Christchurch continued to attack and half chances fell to Gareth Barnes, Marc Burrows, Michael Green and Martin Lawrence with the opposing keeper doing well to keep the score down. In the 28th minute Hartley Wintney broke down the left and the precision cross was deftly headed back across Kearn and into the net. Suddenly Christchurch were under a bit of pressure as the away side upped their game. That bit of luck that is always needed came Christchurch’s way just 5 minutes before half time. John Brock crossed to Marc Burrows who headed just wide. Somewhat bizarrely the referee awarded a corner, which ironically saw Christchurch regain the lead. James Burden swung the kick in for Chris Dillon to head on at the near post to Gareth Barnes who headed home from close range.

Half time: Christchurch 2 Hartley Wintney 1


The second half saw more good football from both teams with Christchurch looking for that extra goal that would surely wrap things up for the afternoon. Defensively Christchurch had now annulled the threat from both the opposition’s wingbacks and 7 minutes into the second half a superb Mark Smith free kick was headed home by Gareth Barnes. Unfortunately the flag was up for offside so the goal didn’t count. Some great passing play between the midfield and forwards produced football that was very pleasant to watch but although shots were raining in on the Hartley Wintney goal Christchurch could not find a way to finish their opponents off. With about 20 minutes left Hartley Wintney found their best form of the match and a bout of possession resulted in several chances and prolonged pressure on the Christchurch defence. However with 39 minutes of the second half gone Mark Smith cut in from the right wing and his left footed cross was headed under the keeper by Gareth Barnes for his second and Christchurch’s third goal of the afternoon. Two minutes later and substitute Russell Cook was brought down in the penalty area giving Gareth Barnes his chance to complete his hat trick. The Hartley Wintney goalkeeper had other ideas however and his excellent penalty save denied Barnes his moment of glory.

Final score: Christchurch 3 Hartley Wintney 1

Christchurch Man of the Match sponsored by “Den’s Diner” MARK SMITH

Next round FA Vase: Saturday 20th September 2008, HOME v PETERSFIELD UNITED

The Bridgeman