Christchurch Football Club

Bitton AFC v Christchurch Saturday 3rd December 2011

Mark Duffy — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:15:00 +0000

FA CARLSBERG VASE THIRD ROUND

BITTON AFC v CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT: 3 - 0

1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPT)
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. CALLUM BURT
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. JAMES BURDEN
11 SAM GRIFFIN

SUBS USED:

JOE KITTLE
PAUL ROBERTS
ADAM COSTELLO

The dream of a Wembley appearance for Christchurch disappeared for this season at least on a difficult pitch against opponents with a pedigree in recent seasons in this competition.
The hosts started the better of the two teams but it was Church who had the first effort on goal after 4 minutes when a Mark Smith pass put birthday boy Sam Griffin in the clear on the right hand side of the penalty area and his fierce first time shot was just wide. However disaster struck in the next minute when after a harmless ball into the penalty area a mix up between keeper Stewart Kearn and Jon Grace resulted in the ball running free and a Bitton player walking the ball into an empty net. The home side should have increased their lead on 18 minutes with a free header that went straight to Kearn. Church were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men on the half hour mark when a late challenge by James Burden resulted in a yellow card when it could have been much worse. The nearest to a goal for Church came on 36 minutes when an intended Grace cross hit the bar but nobody was on hand to take advantage of the rebound. The half time whistle arrived with Church only one goal behind and with the advantage of the slope in their favour for the second half they could be optimistic that the score line could be turned round.

Indeed Church started the second half pushing forward and on 48 minutes the home keeper was forced to save with his feet. However as the visitors went in search of the equaliser they were caught out when a break resulted in a left wing cross being allowed to enter the six yard box and an easy goal from close range. All three substitutes were introduced but despite numerous free kicks and corners the home defence stood solid and once again against the run of play a third goal was scored by Bitton after 77 minutes.

Whilst obviously being disappointed with the result and performance manager Graham Kemp can take heart from the eleven consecutive victories and can now concentrate on the league and the league cup. Finally and this is not sour grapes but I will have great sympathy for any side having to play at Bitton in the next round as it is a great advantage for the home side.

Donners

Christchurch v Melksham Town Saturday 19th November 2011

Mark Duffy — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:01:00 +0000

FA CARLSBERG VASE ROUND 2

CHRISTCHURCH v MELKSHAM TOWN

MATCH RESULT: 3 - 1

GOAL SCORER: BEN OSBORNE (3)

MAN OF THE MATCH: BEN OSBORNE

1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPT)
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. JAMES BURDEN
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. CALLUM BURT
11. SAM GRIFFIN

SUB USED:

PAUL ROBERTS

Church continued their rich vein of form with a win against opposition who whilst playing some neat football and having a high percentage of possession never really troubled the home side in the final third of the pitch. Leading scorer Ben Osborne netted a fine hat trick much to the delight of the writer!!

Melksham started well showing no signs of nerves without really testing Kearn in the home goal but it was at the other end that the goal was under threat. A Mark Smith corner on 12 minutes caused some panic before it was finally cleared and it was Smith again who nearly opened the scoring after 14 minutes when a fine passing movement between David Legg and Ben Osborne put him through on goal but a last ditch challenge denied him getting any real power in his shot. The first goal was not long coming though as on 21 minutes a Smith free kick was headed back across goal by Jon Grace for Osborne to net with a neat header .This did not deter the visitors though and after 24 minutes they had their first real sight of goal resulting in a corner. The highlight of the match then came on 32 minutes when a move involving James Burden and Smith resulted in the latter crossing for Osborne to side foot home from 8 yards.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first with Melksham playing neat possession football but the Church back four were in dominant mood and every time Church went forward they looked dangerous as wingers Marc Fairbrother and Sam Griffin were beginning to have a positive factor on the game. On 57 minutes a Mark Smith shot was deflected over the bar and shortly after James Burden shot narrowly wide from a Fairbrother cross. It was Burden again on 71 minutes who came close to increasing the lead after being set up by Osborne but his shot was well saved. However it is never straightforward as far as Church are concerned and Melksham were given a lifeline with 5 minutes left when a poor goal kick by the normally reliable Kearn went straight to Higdon who netted from 15 yards. Osborne though was in no mood to let the opposition back into the game and in the very next minute he netted with a fierce right foot shot from 22 yards to complete his hat trick.

Manager Kemp and his team can be well pleased with their tactics which were spot on but a special mention must be made of the visiting supporters and their committee who added to the atmosphere and took their defeat in good spirit and we wish them well for the rest of the season. Church travel to pastures new on Tuesday with a trip to Tadley Calleva in the Wessex League Cup but prior to this the draw for the next round of the Vase is on Monday.

Donners ( a little poorer )

Christchurch v Horndean Saturday 24th September 2011

Mark Duffy — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:16:00 +0100

FA CARLSBERG VASE 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND

CHRISTCHURCH v HORNDEAN

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 1

GOAL SCORERS: BEN OSBORNE, SHAUN BRIAN

1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. ADAM COSTELLO
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. CALLUM BURT
11. SAM GRIFFIN

SUB USED:

JACK SWANN

It has been said on more than one occasion this season what character this Church side has and it has never been more evident than in this match. Reduced to 10 men on 4 minutes (more on this later) they played with great conviction and no little skill for 86 minutes to go through to the next stage of the competition.

The first real point of note came on 4 minutes and this was to have a significant effect on the afternoon. Callum Burt was dismissed in an incident, which none of the officials seemed to see and the referee reacted on the antics of the Horndean number 6 who after the referee’s decision jumped up from the ground with a huge grin on his face!! Matters got worse for Church shortly after when after making a fine save keeper Stewart Kearn was helpless to stop the opposition centre forward Austin from netting the rebound. Even though a player short Church were still creating chances and on 21 minutes the influential Mark Smith had a golden opportunity to equalise after being set up by Ben Osborne but was denied by the visiting keeper. The equalising goal was not long coming though when the hard working Osborne netted with a 15 yard shot after being set up by Sam Griffin. You could not tell at this stage which side were a player short as Church were working tirelessly and their wide men Griffin and Fairbrother were proving a valuable outlet. It was Griffin who nearly netted on the half hour mark when his fierce shot went straight to the keeper and then Mark Smith had a shot deflected onto the bar on 42 minutes. In the next minute what turned out to be the winning goal was scored when from a superb Smith free kick Shaun Brian rose unmarked to bullet his header into the net.

The second half started with Church conceding ground but stopping any efforts on goal until the hour mark when Horndean hit the bar but this was countered by Church themselves hitting both posts with an Adam Costello effort from distance on 68 minutes. There were two further instances of the woodwork preventing further goals one from each side in the next 10 minutes. The hard working Osborne was replaced after 75 minutes by new signing Jack Swann who showed both composure and a hard working attitude and there was then only one more scary moment for Church when deep into injury time keeper Kearn fumbled an effort but his defenders came to the rescue.

Manager Graham Kemp and his staff should be congratulated on their tactics and all the Church players can look back on this game with pride and can look forward to another home game against old foes Bridport towards the end of next month.

MAN OF THE MATCH: MARK SMITH

Donners

Christchurch v Newport (IOW) Saturday 10th September 2011

Mark Duffy — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:19:00 +0100

FA CARLSBERG VASE 1ST ROUND QUALIFYING

CHRISTCHURCH v NEWPORT IoW

MATCH RESULT: 4 - 1

GOAL SCORERS: RUSSELL COOK (2), PAUL ROBERTS AND CALLUM BURT

1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPT)
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. CHRIS SMITH
7. SAM GRIFFIN
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. RUSSELL COOK
10. PAUL ROBERTS
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUBS USED:

ADAM COSTELLO
CALLUM BURT
MARK SMITH

An excellent first 45 minutes in which they scored 3 times was sufficient to see Church through to the next round of the Vase against a determined Island side who despite being reduced to 10 men on 38 minutes were perhaps the better side for the second 45 minutes.

The visitors had the first effort on goal after 7 minutes which was tipped behind by keeper Kearn for a corner. It was Church who took the lead on 16 minutes when Russell Cook returning home netted from the edge of the area after a sharp turn and shot. It was nearly two on 24 minutes when the combatative Chris Smith was just wide after a fine passing movement. However the Islanders should have been level on 28 minutes when after a mix up in the home defence they hit the bar and this was to prove vital as he impressive Cook nearly doubled the lead on the half hour mark being denied by the visitors keeper outside his area but 7 minutes later he netted his second when he shrugged off a challenge on the left wing cut inside and sent a delightful chip over the on rushing keeper. The game was then effectively over in the next 5 minutes when firstly Newport had their centre forward sent off for his second bookable offence and then Paul Roberts scored Churchs third goal after beating a defender and rounding the keeper.

For the first 10 minutes of the second period Church passed the ball well taking advantage of the extra man and came close to increasing their lead on a number of occasions the nearest being a Shaun Brian header being cleared off the line. Hovever Newport showed great character and reduced the arrears on 62 minutes when John McKie chipped keeper Kearn from 20 yards and the keeper needed to be alert on more than one occasion to restrict the score line. It was Church who had the final say after 89 minutes when after an excellent passing movement Callum Burt netted with a firm header and there was still time for a cameo performance from substitute Mark Smith who was denied a penalty in injury time.

Overall manager Graham Kemp must have been impressed both with the result and the performance although he must be a little concerned by the fact that games are not being killed off when the side are creating a number of chances. Next up in the league are table toppers GE Hamble and then Horndean in the next round of the Vase.

MAN OF THE MATCH: SHAUN BRIAN

Donners

Christchurch v Lancing Tuesday 5th October 2010

Mark Duffy — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:37:00 +0100

FA CARLSBERG VASE ROUND TWO

CHRISTCHURCH v LANCING (Replay)

MATCH RESULT: 0 - 1

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY ©
5. JOHN GRACE
6. SCOTT SANDERSON
7. CHRIS SMITH
8. BEN DICKENSON
9. BEN OSBORNE (KITTLE)
10. DAVE EWEN
11. SAM GRIFFIN (RIDEOUT 66)

SUBS:

12. COLIN DAND
14. JOE KITTLE
15. PAUL RIDEOUT
16. CALLUM BURT
17. JAMES BURDEN

An attack minded 4-4-2 with exciting young forwards Dickenson and Griffin on each wing promised an open game full of flair and excitement. What transpired was 90 minutes of frustration.

If anyone thought that it was mission accomplished in Saturdays 1 -1 draw in Sussex, the opening minutes showed the away side had arrived with serious intent.
Within a minute of the start goalkeeper Kearn was called into action, tipping a 20 yard free kick over the bar. Just five minutes later and with ten Christchurch players packed inside the 18 yard box, the away side’s central defender was allowed a free header direct from a corner, Kearn forced into making an excellent reflex save.
Church’s slow start continued when sloppy defending contributed to a fine 40 yard run by the away side’s Josling, resulting Annis firing over from the edge of the box.
Indeed it wasn’t until the eleventh minute that Church had their first attack of any note. A miss hit goal kick from the Lancing keeper was met first time by Sanderson his controlled volley fed Griffin wide on the right, the Church winger cut inside only to fire wide.
Christchurch then enjoyed their best period of the match; a long free kick in the 18th minute saw a Crutchley Header loop just over the bar. Eight minutes later good work from Sanderson released Costello his first time cross was met by Dickenson whose low struck volley hit the outside of the post.
This should have been the signal for Church to push on and seize the initiative, it didn’t happen. The away side put pressure on the midfield and with Church struggling to get a foothold in the centre of the pitch, the Christchurch forwards starved of service, became passengers in the game. Only a well timed block tackle from Costello in the 36th minute stopped the home side going into the break a goal down.

HALF TIME

A cynical foul on Sanderson within a minute of the re-start saw Church with an early free kick and an opportunity to exert some pressure. Two minutes later Christchurch’s bright start was almost rewarded with a goal; Ewen’s long throw bypassed everyone in the Lancing penalty area, Dickinson unlucky to see his first time effort go just wide.
Once again Christchurch’s advantage was quickly nullified; Lancing squeezing the play offered little going forward but totally stifled the Church midfield.
By winning the majority of the second balls and making the game scrappy the away side were slowly building up pressure. Despite no real clear cut chances it was no surprise when this pressure forced Christchurch into what was to be the match deciding error.
GOAL, in the 59th minute a routine cross ran along the edge of the Church penalty area evading the entire back four. Turner collected the ball and with a clever turn he induced a clumsy trip from the unfortunate Griffin. The referee had no hesitation in giving the penalty; Turner took the spot kick slotting the ball to the keepers left.
Once again Lancing took the sting out of the game prompting manager Graham Kemp to bring on Rideout. A shot by Lancing forward Sadough in the 72nd minute prompted another substitution two minutes later Kittle coming on for Osbourne.
A smart three man move between Smith, Ewen and Dickinson forced a corner in the 77th minute and from the following pressure another long throw saw Crutchley rise highest only to head over.
That minute spell was the only attack of any note in the last quarter of an hour, with Church running out of ideas Lancing were comfortable in closing out the game.

FULL TIME

An extremely worrying and disappointing performance. An organised but limited side worked out how to nullify any attacking threat by pressurising the midfield and denying any time or space for the church fullbacks.

Sponsors Man of the Match: Dave Ewen

Lancing v Christchurch Saturday 2nd October 2010

Mark Duffy — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:14:00 +0100

FA CARLSBERG VASE

LANCING v CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 1 (AET)

GOAL SCORER: BEN OSBORNE

TEAM

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY(CAPTAIN)
5. JOHN GRACE
6. SCOTT SANDERSON
7. CALUM BURT
8. BEN DICKENSON
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. DAVE EWEN
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

SUBS USED:

CHRIS SMITH
JOE KITTLE
SAM GRIFFIN

Christchurch were twice denied the opportunity to progress to the next round of the FA Vase firstly by the hosts equalising deep into injury time and secondly by a missed penalty with 2 minutes of extra time remaining.

At a ground whose first class facilities would put many top non- league teams to shame both sides started slowly but gradually Church got into their stride and with Adam Costello finding space on the right they passed the ball well but lacked a real threat in the last third of the pitch. It was some 43 minutes before any of the goalkeepers had a save to make and then the visitors forced Stewart Kearn to make two saves in the space of 30 seconds when he dived at the feet of an onrushing attacker and then tipped a header over the bar. This was the end of a 10 minute spell with Lancing on top and Church were happy to hear the half time whistle.

The second half commenced with an Osborne free kick being turned over the bar for a corner but Kearn was the busier of the 2 keepers mainly from corners and the first goal arrived on 75 minutes with a neat finish by leading scorer Osborne from close range after a fine run from Burt. This resulted in the hosts pushing forward leaving gaps at the back which the pacey Dickenson and substitute Griffin took advantage of but the second goal was not forthcoming despite Ewen shooting narrowly wide. This proved to be crucial as with Church playing out time a late foray into their area resulted in a loose ball being driven home clinically from 12 yards for the equaliser.

Extra time started with Lancing being reduced to 10 men and with the hosts visibly tiring Joe Kittle was unable to put the finishing touch to a Dickenson cross and Ewen hit the post. Any attacks by Lancing were snuffed out by Grace and Costello in the centre of the Church defence and shortly after Griffin had shot wide Scott Sanderson burst into the penalty area and was fouled resulting in a penalty with 3 minutes left. With penalty ace Paul Rideout (36 successful attempts out of 36 ) having been substituted Joe Kittle took the responsibility and despite a firm shot to the bottom left hand corner the home custodian make a superb save. In the very next minute however a slip by the same keeper nearly proved fatal but Ewen was unable to put the ball across goal.

So a replay weather permitting on Tuesday 5/10/2010 and one hopes that as a club Christchurch can reciprocate the warm hospitality they received.

Donners

Worthing Utd v Christchurch Saturday 18th September 2010

Mark Duffy — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 15:34:00 +0100

THE F.A. CARLSBERG VASE

WORTHING UTD v CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 2

GOAL SCORERS: PAUL RIDEOUT (pen), DAN CRUTCHLEY

1. STEWART KEARNE
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. COLIN DAND
6. STEVE LINPOW
7. CALUM BURT
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. DAVE EWEN
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

SUBS USED:

JACQUES BERNARD
JOE KITTLE
BEN LUCAS

In a game they totally dominated against dogged opponents Church had to wait till the final 10 minutes to score the goals that took them through to the next round of the Vase.

It was a scrappy opening few minutes and in the first real attack of the game the hosts took the lead when Christchurch failed to clear a corner and the ball was returned into the area where a free header resulted in a goal. Church settled down after this playing their neat football and nearly equalised on 17 minutes when after a fine Rideout run Osborne was denied by a last ditch challenge. With Fairbrother and Ewen looking lively on the flanks it looked as if it was merely a question of time before the equaliser occurred but it was the home side who should have scored again on 26 minutes when firstly Kearn made a fine save from a 20 yard shot and then from a cross a header went wide from 5 yards out. This was more or less the last chance the hosts had to score as for the rest of game Church denied them the opportunity to cross balls into the box and it was only from corners and free kicks that their attacking options arose.

The second half started in a similar vein with Church passing and moving well but dour no nonsense defending kept them at bay. The introduction of substitutes Joe Kittle and Cardiff bound university student Jacques Bernard had a positive affect and it was all one way traffic but it was not until the 80th minute that the impressive Osborne was fouled in the penalty area. Penalty king Rideout made it 36 out of 36 attempts but only just as the keeper did get a hand to it. The winner was not long in coming when firstly Bernard was denied with the home keeper turning his header round the post and Worthing failed to clear the resulting corner which was returned into the area where inspirational skipper Dan Crutchley hammered the ball home from close range. There was a long delay in injury time when keeper Stewart Kearn was knocked unconscious clearing a free kick but Church safely saw out time.

A deserved victory against gallant opposition and a return to the same part of the world in 2 weeks time to face Lancing from the same league as Worthing.

Finally it showed good character to win this game as at one stage it looked as if it was just going to be one of those days.

Donners

Christchurch v Almondsbury Tuesday 17th November 2009

Mark Duffy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

CHRISTCHURCH V ALMONDSBURY

FA VASE ROUND 3

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 5

Goal Scorers: Adam Costello, Tom Jeffes

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. BEN LUCAS
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. MARTIN LAWRENCE
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

Sub used

DAVID LEGG

Christchurch were dealt a blow prior to naming their side when influential skipper Dan Crutchley was ruled out due to illness. The kick off was delayed to 8:15pm due to travel problems incurred by the visitors but you would not have thought they were suffering any ill effects as mentioned later.

Almondsbury started like a house on fire opening the scoring on 2 minutes when their right winger sped to the by line and provided an inch perfect cross for an unmarked centre forward to head home from 5 yards and matters got worse for Church in the next minute when an unstoppable shot from 25 yards from the left wing made it 2- nil. You thought matters could only get better but they got worse on 11 minutes when a corner was allowed to go right across goal and a third goal was poked in from 2 yards. If it had not been for Kearn saving a harshly awarded penalty on 18 minutes matters would have got completely out of hand.

With nothing to lose the home side started to play like we know they can and put the visitors under pressure and Tom Jeffes was unlucky not to score on 32 minutes being denied by a fine save. However it was not all Christchurch and the visitors with their pacey forwards threatened every time they came over the halfway line. It looked as if Church had pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time but Jeffes strike from close range was superbly turned round the post by the Almondsbury keeper.

The second half started with Church attacking and they pulled a goal back on 48 minutes when Adam Costello headed home from a Mark Smith corner and for the next 10 minutes laid siege to the visitors goal and were unfortunate not to add to their goal tally. Having survived this passage of play the away side scored a 4th goal on 70 minutes with a clinical finish by their substitute but not to be denied Jeffes scored the goal he deserved on 79 minutes. This was not the end of the scoring as on 89 minutes an Almondsbury player was allowed to run some 60 yards unchallenged to score goal number 5.

Apart from the disastrous first 10 minutes there was not an awful lot to choose between the two sides and Christchurch can take heart from their spirited display in the second half whilst the visitors face a difficult away tie at Witney in the next round but from what we saw and from our own experience last year they could do very well.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH FC v FC CLACTON - Saturday 24th January 2009

JohnW — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Saturday 24th January 2009
F.A. Vase 4th round

CHRISTCHURCH v FC CLACTON

A fine warm Saturday afternoon was the setting for this important match. After last weeks postponement and a week of poor weather all were pleased to see the referee give the OK to play. The Christchurch line up:

1 Stewart Kearn
2 Steve Linpow
3 Michael Green
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Chris Dillon
6 Adam Wiltshire
7 Mark Smith
8 James Burden
9 Gareth Barnes
10 Russell Cook
11 Paul Rideout

12 Ben Osborne
14 Dan Taylor
15 Martin Lawrence
16 Paul Manning
17 Colin Dand

Clacton began at a fast pace and in the second minute Gregg Heighway shot against the post. In the 14th minute Christchurch broke away to take the lead against the run of play. Russell Cook advanced down the right and pulled the ball back for Paul Rideout to find the back of the net with a cool right foot strike. The best goal of the match came 10 minutes later when James Burden fed Cook who crossed first time for Gareth Barnes to swivel and fire home. The remainder of the first half belonged to Clacton as they pressurised the home defence with numerous high balls and long throws.

Half time: Christchurch 2 FC Clacton 0

The second half saw Christchurch at their best as attack followed attack and two more goals were the deserved result. Paul Rideout was tripped in the penalty area and he picked himself up to score his second from the spot kick. Gareth Barnes also scored his second with a delicate header following a great cross from James Burden.

Final score: Christchurch 4 FC Clacton 0

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

The Bridgeman

CHRISTCHURCH v NEW MILTON TOWN - F.A. Vase 3rd round - 6th December 2008

JohnW — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:00:00 +0000

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