Wessex Combination Cup 3rd Round

Manager Tim Collins found his reserve team selection restricted because of the eligibility of some of his regular players. Those that had previously appeared in the FA cup or FA Vase or Hampshire Senior cup were not allowed to play in this competition.

1 Jason Collins
2 Darren Saunders
3 David Legg
4 Ricky Jacobs
5 Chris Dillon
6 Ian McIntosh
7 Dean Collins
8 John Armour
9 Chris Mawer
10 Alex Jones
11 Paul Conroy

12 Peter Old
14 Tom Kellaway
15 Ollie Dean

The game started in bitterly cold conditions with a freezing easterly wind blowing strongly across the Hurn Bridge pitch. Christchurch attacked strongly during the opening stages with Paul Conroy, Chris Mawer and Alex Jones all going close to opening the scoring. Darren Saunders was using the space down the right side to good advantage and whipped in several dangerous crosses. Fareham created a couple of half chances but spent most of the first half defending desperately to stop Christchurch from scoring. The half ended with a flurry of corners but again Christchurch just could not find the net in the first 45 minutes. A missed opportunity for Christchurch had created enough good chances to have had the game wrapped up by half time.

Half time: Christchurch Res 0 Fareham Res 0

The second half saw Christchurch continue attacking when Paul Conroy’s pull back was struck by Ian McIntosh who saw his shot pushed against the bar by the excellent Fareham ‘keeper. Fareham broke quickly to the other end and a good passing move ended when Jason Collins in the Christchurch goal pulled down the Fareham forward as he attempted to go around him. The resulting penalty saw Collins sent the wrong way as Fareham took the lead. Despite Christchurch going close on several occasions the equaliser would not come and in the final minute Fareham again broke quickly and snatched the second goal of the evening to seal their victory and an away game at Brading Town in the quarter final of the competition.

An entertaining game with a hatful of chances for a Christchurch Reserve side that just didn’t have their shooting boots on.

Final score: Christchurch Res 0 Fareham Res 2



The Bridgeman