Christchurch v Eastleigh

Match Result: 4 - 4

Christchurch went into their home game against Eastleigh with confidence knowing a win was easily on the cards. However, the game didn’t start as planned. With a re-shuffled team from injuries and a few new faces, Christchurch’s normally solid defence had a hard time against the pacey Eastleigh strikers. Eastleigh managed to work the ball around well and scored 4 before the half time whistle, with Christchurch not being able to reply. Christchurch did however have a few good chances, with Amber Madkour and Polly Wardle breaking through but for the defenders to track back and make last ditch tackles. Christchurch came out from half time with nothing to lose and knowing they had to throw everything forward to get anything out of the game. With the midfield of Tilly, Madkour, Bailey and Knight playing the ball around well, a cross from the right came from Wheal for Wardle to get on the end of and get one back for Christchurch. This raised the confidence of Christchurch, who continued to play the ball around well and with a poor back pass from an Eastleigh defender, Wardle chased onto the ball to beat the goalkeeper and last defender on the line to make it 4-2. Eastleigh then started to raise their game again and got a corner from working the ball around well. However stand in Christchurch keeper, Hayley Devlin caught the ball and kicked a long field ball to give an assist for Wardle to get on the end and slot past the Eastleigh keeper to make it 4-3. The comeback was now on and with only 10minutes left Christchurch were pushing everyone forward to try and get the equaliser. The defence of Burch, Foord, Whitehouse and Russell were once again solid and not letting anything through. It was again from an Eastleigh corner that Christchurch launched their attack. Another great catch from Devlin in goal, released the ball long up field to Wardle who caught the ball perfectly on volley to hit home across the goalkeeper and get her 4th of the game. It was now 4-4 and Christchurch had done the unthinkable. However it was not over yet. With 5 minutes left Christchurch could have easily won the game with Madkour endlessly running down the left, and with more clinical finishing Wardle could have won it for Christchurch when intercepting another poor Eastleigh back pass. However, Christchurch can take a lot of positives from the game. With great second half performances from everyone Christchurch will be looking to take these forward into their final game of the season and a return game against Eastleigh in a few weeks time.

Squad: H. Devlin, R. Buckland, C. Burch, A. Foord, L. Russell, K. Wheal, S. Tilly, A. Madkour, V. Bailey, P. Wardle, A. Moody.
 


Subs used: C. Whitehouse, H. Fell, B. Knight.