MONEYFIELDS v CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 0 - 1

GOAL SCORER: PAUL RIDEOUT

1. JASON COLLINS
2. COLIN DAND
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. SCOTT SANDERSON
6. JACQUES BERNARD
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT


A superb all round team effort against a physical home side resulted in a win and 3 valuable points. The three points meant a finish of at least 6th in the league with the possibility of move up to 5th and in addition we have accumulated a record number of points.

The game started slowly but Tom Jeffes nearly gave Church the lead on 13 minutes when his header from a Mark Smith corner was tipped onto the bar by the home keeper. Young keeper Jason Collins then came to Church’s rescue after 17 minutes with a good save from close range. In the next minute a superb pass from skipper Dan Crutchley making his comeback after a 4 week absence released Paul Rideout with a clear run on goal. Rideout did everything right as he lobbed the keeper but the hard surface resulted in the ball bouncing and hitting the bar.
After 55 minutes the referee retired injured with the lines person taking over in the middle resulting in a five-minute delay. The only goal of the game came on 62 minutes and it was well worth the wait. Neat passing resulted in a Paul Rideout shot being well saved by the keeper but from the rebound the same player smashed the ball into the net. There was a further hold up a few minutes after the goal when Jacques Bernard who had been busy throughout received a facial injury. The home side pushed forward leaving gaps at the back and Church were unlucky not to increase their lead with Moneyfields posing no real threat in the last third of the pitch due to excellent defending and confident goal keeping.
It cannot be stated enough what a performance this was at the end of a hard long season against difficult opponents and the hard work put in by manager Graham Kemp is much appreciated by all concerned at the football club. Finally well done to Tim Collins and his team for probably finishing third in the league and also reaching the Wessex Combination Cup Final yet again.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH V POOLE TOWN

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 4 - 4

GOAL SCORERS: ADAM COSTELLO, PAUL RIDEOUT (2), TOM JEFFES

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. COLIN DAND
5. BEN LUCAS
6. MARTIN HARRIS
7. MARK SMITH
8. SCOTT SANDERSON
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

SUBS USED:

JAMES BURDEN
BEN DICKENSON
DAVID LEGG


Under normal circumstances I would restrict my comments to purely the match report but in this case I feel I must start by passing comment on the totally bias report on the Poole own website Tatnum Talk Unofficial Report which states NOTHING MUCH HAPPENED IN THE FIRST 15 MINUTES!!. Well if you cannot mention the most significant point of the whole 90 minutes in that after 4 minutes the home keeper Stewart Kearn was the victim of a blatant foul resulting in him being a hobbling passenger for the rest of the half and eventually being replaced in goal for the second half by central defender Colin Dand then I doubt if the person providing the report was even at Hurn Bridge (a proper football ground) or perhaps they were blinded by the sun!!

The home side came close to opening the scoring on 2 minutes when Scott Sanderson hit the bar with the Poole keeper beaten and then as previously mentioned there was a long delay when Kearn was given treatment which restricted his mobility for the rest of the half. Kearn even being injured made a superb save on 13 minutes but was beaten in the next minute when a cross from the right was deflected into the net but maybe a fully fit keeper would have saved it. Matters got worse for Church on 24 minutes when a poor clearance led to the ball being returned into the penalty area where a foul was committed resulting in a penalty which was easily converted.

There were thoughts then of a similar score to that of the cup game but Church are made of stern stuff and on 28 minutes Adam Costello scored his first league goal for the club with a header from a Mark Smith corner. For the remainder of the half Poole on a number of occasions came close to increasing their lead being denied by bad luck and a crippled goal keeper.

At the start of the second half central defender Colin Dand replaced Kearn in goal and in addition goal scorer Costello was injured and two substitutes James Burden and David Legg were brought into the fray. It came as some surprise in the circumstances when Church equalised after 52 minutes when a Burden cross was not cleared and Paul Rideout finished emphatically from 15 yards. It came as an even greater surprise when the home side took the lead 10 minutes later when a fierce shot was in the referees opinion handled in the penalty area resulting in both a penalty and a sending off. Paul Rideout netted from the spot making it 35 successful kicks out of 35. The lead did not last long as within 5 minutes the scores were level when a high ball into the box was not cleared (Poole put a lot of high balls into the box and I would hope this was to test the substitute keeper as they did not pass the ball a lot!) and a shot from 12 yards ended up in the net. Matters got worse for Church in the next minute when James Burden rashly got 2 bookings inside a minute resulting in both teams being reduced to 10 men. It looked as if the game had been decided in Poole’s favour on 85 minutes when a speculative long shot was missed by Dand which was his only mistake and resulted in the visitors taking the lead. However straight from the kick off Tom Jeffes equalised from an acute angle asking the question who had an outfield player in goal. The remainder of the game was end to end with probably the best chance falling to Poole but somehow Mark Smith cleared off the line.

A valuable point for Church in their attempt to move up the table, with the Totton game on Thursday now very important. Well done to Poole for being champions and I think I speak for a lot of clubs in the league when I say that it’s a shame they are not being promoted as they would not be missed one bit!!

Man of the Match: Ben Lucas

TOTTON AND ELING v CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 0 - 1

GOAL SCORER: BEN OSBORNE

1. JASON COLLINS
2. SCOTT SANDERSON
3. DAVID LEGG
4. COLIN DAND
5. BEN LUCAS
6. DAN TAYLOR
7. MARK SMITH
8. JACQUES BERNARD
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

SUBS USED:

STEVE GREEN
JAMES BURDEN


A well taken goal by top scorer Ben Osborne on 13 minutes was enough to give Church all 3 points in a tough encounter which saw the home side have 2 players sent off and Church 1 sent off.

The visitors nearly opened the scoring in the first minute when from a Mark Smith corner Tom Jeffes was unable to bring the ball under control and Totton were able to clear the ball. The home side then exerted some pressure and on 5 minutes Ben Lucas cleared off the line and then in the next minute they shot wide when well placed. The winning goal followed shortly when after a neat passing movement Tom Jeffes supplied the pass for Osborne to finish superbly for his 29th goal of the season. Totton then pushed forward showing no ill affects from their excellent Russell Cotes cup win on Tuesday but without really testing young keeper Jason Collins standing in for the injured Stewart Kearn. The game exploded into life in injury time when Ben Lucas went on a marauding run forward which was stopped illegally by 2 Totton players but he retaliated with a bad challenge resulting in him being sent off with both home players receiving yellow cards.

Manager Graham Kemp changed his formation for the second half with Jacques Bernard moving to full back and Tom Jeffes to midfield leaving Ben Osborne as the lone striker. It was hard to know which side had reduced numbers as twice Bernard nearly scored firstly hitting the bar with a header and secondly having an effort cleared off the line. Totton were then also reduced to 10 men on the hour when their centre half was dismissed for his second yellow card on the hour mark. Church then came close to increasing their lead twice in 2 minutes when Bernard hit the post again and Osborne working very hard showed great skill to be on a one on one situation with keeper but finished weakly. Church keeper Collins had very little to do being protected by superb defending but when called into action he dealt very confidently with everything that came his way. Steve Green nearly scored with his first touch and twice in the last 5 minutes the lead was nearly increased but fine keeping denied the visitors. There was then just time for the home side to have a second player sent off in injury before the end of the game.

This win completed a double over Totton, which I doubt very few sides have managed this season and also extended the unbeaten run to 15 games. It is now in our hands if we can finish 5th in the league but if not is has still been an excellent season for the whole club.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH v COWES SPORTS

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 5 - 2

GOAL SCORERS: PAUL RIDEOUT (2), TOM JEFFES, MARK SMITH, BEN OSBORNE

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

SUBS USED:

BEN LUCAS
STEVE GREEN

Hurn Bridge is certainly the place to be at these days if you want to see entertaining football together with excellent goals. This was a very open game with goals of the highest quality and the visitors played their part with a performance that belied their league position.

After a quiet first 10 minutes the game came to life on 11 minutes when Paul Rideout took advantage of a headed flick on and beat his marker to net emphatically with a right foot shot from 20 yards. It was nearly 2 in the next minute but Mark Smith was denied by a fine save by Chris Norris in the visitors goal. The second goal was not long forthcoming as on 22 minutes Tom Jeffes netted with a fierce left drive from 22 yards. Cowes however were not long in reducing the arrears when after 26 minutes the home defence failed to close down the visitors left back Lee Davies who from some 30 yards netted with a fierce left foot shot. This gave Cowes some confidence and for the remainder of the half they passed the ball well but did not really trouble Kearn in the home goal.

For once Church did not concede in the 46th minute and on 53 minutes Jeffes was denied by the keeper after being put through by Smith and the third goal came in the next minute when Cowes failed to clear an Adam Costello cross and Rideout scored his second of the night and his fourth in two games with a fine shot from 15 yards. With Mark Smith now in control of midfield the chances continued to come and it was Smith himself who scored the fourth on 67 minutes when after a superb passing movement that covered 60 yards he finished with some aplomb from 10 yards. The visitors did not give up though and on 69 minutes hit the bar with a header the ball then being handled by Steve Linpow for a penalty that was easily converted by Sam Yelland.

After 75 minutes Ben Osborne should have scored being denied by the keeper legs but at the other end Cowes thought they had scored after 80 minutes when a corner was held on the line by Kearn. The game continued to flow from end to end and Smith nearly scored again on 85 minutes when after a fine passing movement he showed great skill to chip the keeper but this went well wide. It was left to leading scorer Ben Osborne to finish the scoring for the evening with his 25th goal of the season after 86 minutes with a right foot effort from 15 yards.

Another win for Church extending their unbeaten league run against a game Cowes side who it will be a shame if they are relegated as always a pleasure to visit their ground unlike a certain unnamed side who will remain in the league for another season. One final point after his brief appearance on the right wing I don’t think Marc Fairbrother’ place will be threatened by Steve Linpow.


MAN OF THE MATCH: PAUL RIDEOUT

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH v LYMINGTON TOWN

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 5 - 2

GOAL SCORERS: PAUL RIDEOUT (2 PENS), STEVE LINPOW, BEN OSBORNE, STEVE GREEN

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. COLIN DAND
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. JACQUES BERNARD
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

SUBS USED:

BEN LUCAS
STEVE GREEN
DAN TAYLOR

The score-line might reflect a comfortable win but at times, especially the first 20 minutes of the second half this was far from the case.

Church may well have taken the lead in the first minute but Tom Jeffes was unable to get the final touch to a Mark Smith cross. At the other end on 3 minutes Stewart Kearn had to be alert to keep out a 25 yard free kick and as play flowed from end to end Adam Costello’s cross from the right missed everybody and a Smith free kick was tipped over the bar by Smith in the Lymington goal. Adam Costello, still looking for his first league goal, hit the bar from close range and just when you got the feeling that it was to be one of those days A Ben Osborne shot was handled in the area and penalty king Paul Rideout scored easily from the spot. The lead was increased on 20 minutes when Steve Linpow rose unchallenged from a corner to head powerfully into the net. The visitors very nearly reduced the arrears in the next minute but were denied by a top class save from Kearn.

Church had another penalty on 33 minutes when Marc Fairbrother was fouled and once again Rideout scored easily. Rideout nearly scored his third two minutes later but after a fine run he shot straight at the keeper and then Tom Jeffes was put through after a Ben Osborne flicked header but he shot well wide.

Lymington reduced the arrears on 46 minutes when Kearn was harshly penalised for hand ball outside the area and from the resulting free kick Gareth Byers netted with a fine header. This gave the visitors fresh impetus and for the 20 minutes they looked lively and dangerous every time they attacked but Kearn was at his best during this period. In basically their first attack of the second half Church increased their lead when leading scorer Osborne netted at the near post from a Rideout cross. This did not deter Lymington however who scored their second goal after 69 minutes with a Luke Ansell header.

Play continued to be end to end but it was the home side who had the final say when Steve Green scored his first goal for the club from close range after a neat bout of passing.

With this win Church continue to push for a top 6 finish and will need full points from their next two home games against Cowes & Moneyfields for this to come to fruition.

MAN OF MATCH: STEWART KEARN

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH v FAREHAM TOWN

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 1

GOAL SCORERS: BEN OSBORNE, MARK SMITH

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. COLIN DAND
6. JACQUES BERNARD
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUB USED:

BEN DICKENSON

A freak free kick from midfield maestro Mark Smith resulted in the winning goal and 3 valuable points in Church’s attempt to climb into the top 6 and improve on last seasons finish.

The match started slowly but came to life on 9 minutes when from a Smith corner Jacques Bernard fierce drive was not so much saved by the visitors custodian but merely he was unable to get out off the way to prevent an opening goal. It was Bernard again on 16 minutes who was denied a clear run on goal by good defending and just prior to this Adam Costello had a good chance with a free header but headed wide. It was not all one way though as Fareham from a corner had a header straight at Kearn and also the home keeper saved well from a 12 yard shot. Bernard who appeared to be everywhere then had another effort on goal on 23 minutes well saved but Church took the lead in the next minute when leading scorer Ben Osborne scored his 23rd and possibly best goal of the season. Put through on the right hand side of the penalty area he showed both skill and pace!! to drill a shot into the bottom corner of the net. This gave Church confidence and Osborne should have scored again 5 minutes later when after good work by Marc Fairbrother he fluffed an effort from close range. Fareham then began to dictate matters and it came as no surprise when they equalised on 39 minutes with a Gavin Jones shot from 18 yards when the home defence failed to clear their lines.

HALF TIME 1-1

The second 45 minutes could not have been as action filled as the first and that was the case. Fareham looked the better side passing the ball well in midfield but not really troubling Kearn in the home goal due to good defending by the Church back four especially Colin Dand. The first real effort Church had on goal was on 69 minutes when Tom Jeffes shot wide but the defining moment of the game came shortly after when from at least 35 yards out on the wide left Mark Smith put a free kick into the penalty area and into the back of the net with the Fareham keeper rooted to the spot.

There was still time for a cameo 10 minutes from young substitute Ben Dickenson who twice with searing pace scared the tiring Fareham defence.

So to sum up a quick fire double over a very good Fareham side who are above us in the table and with this type of performance along with that last Saturday there is no reason to not believe a top 6 place cannot be attained.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH v BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 3 - 3

GOAL SCORERS: TOM JEFFES (2), BEN OSBORNE

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. COLIN DAND
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. JACQUES BERNARD
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUB USED:

BEN DICKENSON

In a highly entertaining game, that was a credit to the Wessex League, Christchurch and Bemerton fought out a high scoring draw in a game that could have gone either way.

The home side started brightly with youngster Jacques Bernard prominent in midfield and also up front as on 18 minutes he was denied a goal by a clearance off the line. The home side continued to look impressive but as so often happens in a rare attack the visitors took the lead on 28 minutes with probably one of the best goals seen at Hurn Bridge for many a year. The ball was played up to Joe Sanger some 25 yards out who chested it down turned and hit a left foot volley with some velocity leaving Kearn in the home goal with no chance. Straight from the kick off Tom Jeffes nearly equalised but his effort was cleared off the line. The game went from end to end and just as it looked the half time score would remain at 0-1 on the stroke of 45 minutes Tom Jeffes held off a defender to finish well from 8 yards.

Church started the second half the same as they finished the first with a goal. Leading scorer Ben Osborne was put through and from 15 yards finished emphatically. For the next 15 minutes Church went in search of a third and probably decisive goal but good goalkeeping denied them and on 65 minutes the visitors drew level when after Church lost the ball in midfield a simple pass put that man Sanger through on goal and his finish was clinical. On this showing Sanger looks as if he should be playing at a higher level!!

Both sides continued to attack looking for what could be the decisive third goal and it was Bemerton who scored it when a cross went into the home box and ended up at the feet of Adam Jones who still had a lot to do but again the finishing was precise leaving Kearn with no chance. The lead did not last long though as within three minutes on 74 minutes the scores were level once more when the visitors keeper made his one error of the game failing to collect a corner and Tom Jeffes netted from close range for his second goal of the game.

Both sides had chances to win the game in the last 15 minutes the best probably being James Burden who after a fine run saw his shot well saved at the expense of a corner. Church introduced another of their consistent crop of youngsters on 85 minutes when 16 year old Ben Dickenson took to the field and he looked very dangerous with his pace causing problems to the visitors defence.

Possibly a fair result but manager Graham Kemp will perhaps think his side deserved all 3 points against a team 3rd in the league and the fight for a top six finish continues on Tuesday with a home fixture against tough opposition Fareham.

MAN OF THE MATCH: COLIN DAND

Donners

FAREHAM v CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 2

GOAL SCORERS: Tom Jeffes, James Burden

1. JO PRODOMO
2. COLIN DAND
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. MARTIN HARRIS
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. TOM JEFFES
10. JACQUES BERNARD
11. TOM PRICE

SUB USED:

JAMES BURDEN


A superb strike from James Burden in injury time gave Christchurch all 3 points in a battling display that showed tremendous character after their mid week battering at the hands of Poole.

Manager Graham Kemp made changes after mid week especially in the back four looking for more defence stability and this certainly worked as the team worked as a unit throughout.

The first real attack of the game resulted in Church taking the lead on 10 minutes when from a superb Mark Smith free kick Tom Jeffes stole in at the far post to convert from close range. The home side then became victim of a fussy referee with 4 bookings the last of these resulting in them being reduced to 10 men on the half hour mark. With the wide players Fairbrother and Price especially the latter looking dangerous the visitors were in control without looking unduly threatening but Fareham were rarely in the game due in the main to the excellent work by youngsters Harris and Bernard and at half time the score remained at 0-1.

Skipper Dan Crutchley came close to increasing the lead on 49 minutes being denied by a superb save from the home custodian but as the game progressed the home side began to look more threatening without really troubling Jo Prodomo in the Church goal and just when it looked as if the visitors had weathered the storm Gary Austin equalised on 80 minutes with a left foot shot from an acute angle.

Straight from the kick off it looked as if Church had regained the lead when Price netted but he had been flagged offside and then both sides were reduced to 10 men on 86 minutes when the industrious Martin Harris was booked twice in the space of 2 minutes.
It looked as if a draw was to be the result but then substitute James Burden netted with a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area when Fareham failed to clear a corner. There was still time for the home side to have another attempt on goal but in a situation similar to the winning goal the ball ended up clearing the bar.

As already stated this was a tremendous result showing immense character after the mid week failings and although a push to attain 6th place in the league will be difficult if a similar attitude is shown it is certainly possible.

Finally many thanks to youngster Jo Prodomo standing in for the suspended Stewart Kearn who was in the winning side in his two league games and can in no way be held responsible for the losing of the Poole game and he will always be welcome back at any time.

Lastly all the best to the lads at Totton in the Hants semi- final on Tuesday

Donners

COWES SPORTS v CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 3 - 4

GOAL SCORERS: STEVE LINPOW, TOM PRICE, MARK SMITH, BEN OSBORNE

1. JO PRODOMO
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. MARTIN HARRIS
7. MARK SMITH
8. JACQUE BERNARD
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM PRICE
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUBS USED:

TOM JEFFES
BEN LUCAS
MARC FAIRBROTHER


A late goal by leading scorer Ben Osborne was enough to give Christchurch all 3 points in an entertaining game on the Isle of Wight.

The visitors started brightly and took the lead on 2 minutes when Steve Linpow scored his first goal of the season with a neat header from a superb Mark Smith free kick. They nearly scored again on 5 minutes when Ben Osborne was denied by a good save from the home keeper when he was put through after a neat passing movement. The second goal was soon forthcoming though when the pacey Tom Price took advantage of an error in the home defence and raced clear rounded the keeper to score on 16 minutes. This looked then as if it was just a matter of how many goals Church would score BUT this is Christchurch we are talking about!!

The home side reduced the arrears on 31 minutes with virtually their first effort on goal when after young keeper Jo Prodomo had turned a shot against the post the defence failed to clear and from close range a Cowes attacker netted. Matters got worse just before the interval when the home side equalised when from their first corner Jo Prodomo punched clear and was unfortunate to see his clearance hit the head of a Cowes player and fly into the net.

The home side obviously buoyed by the score started the second half in the ascendancy but were fortunate to be awarded a penalty on 50 minutes (when the linesman not the referee awarded the penalty) when Jo Prodomo made a save and then when diving on the loose ball a Cowes player fell down ( I think the home crowd played their part !!). Justice was done for a brief moment when Jo saved the penalty but again the ball was not cleared and a goal resulted from the ensuing scramble.

This seemed to bring Church to life and Steve Linpow should have equalised on 55 minutes when he headed narrowly over the bar but the equaliser was not long coming and when it came 5 minutes later it was worth the wait!! Mark Smith took a free kick Beckham like (some of the youngsters reading this, may not believe it but some years ago when he could run Beckham actually took some good free kicks) from the edge of the penalty area that flew into the top corner of the net. Substitute Tom Jeffes then set up Ben Osborne on 70 minutes with a clear run on goal but his left footed effort went wide and then on 86 minutes Jeffes turned in the penalty area and his shot was well saved resulting in a corner. From this corner Ben Lucas won the ball in the air and goal poacher Osborne was on hand to score from close range. Church safely saw out the remaining few minutes to earn all 3 points.

A move up the table to 7th with this win against hard working opponents but against stronger opposition Church will need to play for a full 90 minutes rather than in 20 minute spells. Another point is that all our goals are good goals whereas ones we concede tend to be scrappy so it was good that the winner was just for a change one of the latter. Legs 11.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH V BRADING TOWN

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 2

GOAL SCORERS: TOM PRICE, MARK SMITH

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. MARTIN HARRIS
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM PRICE
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUBS USED:

PAUL RIDEOUT
STEVE GREEN

It was a day when the many faces of Christchurch FC were on show as after a poor show in the first 45 minutes when they were lucky to be level to a 20 minute spell in the second half when they dominated and scored 2 excellent goals to a final 15 minutes when the visitors took over and very nearly took 3 points back to the Island.

The visitors started confidentially passing the ball well in midfield and came close to opening the scoring on both 8 and 15 minutes when shots from just outside the penalty area cleared the home crossbar. The home side were grateful that custodian Stewart Kearn was in good form as his handling throughout the game was superb and the only time Church threatened in the first half was on 35 minutes when a Mark Smith corner was met by Tom Price, who looked lively for the whole game, whose shot hit the post.

The second half nearly had a disastrous start for the home side when a short back pass from Martin Harris was intercepted and only a last ditch tackle from Adam Costello saved a certain goal. This seemed to wake Church up and on 51 minutes a long pass out of defence by Steve Linpow to Tom Price on the left wing set the young striker off on a dazzling run beating 3 or 4 defenders and finishing superbly from an acute angle. This set the tone for the next 20 minutes with Mark Smith dominating the midfield and it was Smith who increased the lead on 58 minutes when after neat inter play with Ben Osborne his left foot shot from 8 yards took a slight deflection and ended up in the net. At this point it really did look as if it was how many goals Church would end up scoring but this all changed on 75 minutes when the home side failed to clear a corner and a shot from 15 yards reduced the lead. Brading then took control of the game attacking in numbers and levelled on 84 minutes with an unfortunate own goal and it was then a case of Church hanging on for a point as the visitors forced a number of corners going for all 3 points.

Whilst Church will have been disappointed not to have won the game the visitors will also feel the same as over the 90 minutes they did have the majority of the play and overall a draw was perhaps a fair result.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH V WINCHESTER CITY

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 2010

MATCH RESULT: 4 - 1

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. David Legg
4. Dan Crutchley (capt)
5. Steve Linpow
6. Martin Harris
7. Mark Smith
8. Marc Fairbrother
9. Ben Osborne
10. Tom Price
11. James Burden

SUBS:

12. Dan Taylor
14. Tom Jeffes
15. Steve Green
16. Martin Lawrence
17. Ben Lucas

This match whilst keenly contested from the first minute did not come to life until the 24th minute when ex Church player Zach Glasspool did a poor impression of a dive in the Church box and got booked for this cynical attempt to gain an advantage. Up to this point only a 12th minute corner to Winchester and a free kick near the Winchester penalty area for Church were worthy of note although there was plenty of action, much of it aerial, neither side could create that decisive opening. This was borne out by the fact that Church did not get their first corner until the 28th minute, which, in keeping with the game up to that point, came to nothing. The expectant crowd had to wait until the 37th minute for either side to test a goalkeeper and when it came it was a weak shot by Winchester’s Glasspool from his unfavoured right foot.

On the 38th minute just as everybody was thinking about half-time refreshments and bemoaning any real quality in the game, the players decided that the match needed livening up and a scything challenge on the Church captain brought about the first booking for the Winchester number 11, Bye, if he had been any later that is exactly what he would have been saying to the match.

Then in the 40th minute after a bursting run by Tom Price which resulted him in being brought down just outside of the box by a combination of the goalkeeper and defender, the referee decided that it merited a sending off and dismissed Winchester ‘keeper Gosney, for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. Winchester then re-shuffled the team and brought on Harper in to goal and sacrificed their right full back. The resultant free kick was taken by Smith, which rattled the bar and went over for a goal kick.

Half- time 0 – 0

As the teams came out for the second half the crowd were expecting Church to take full advantage of the extra man and in the 50th minute a neat turn and fierce shot by Fairbrother opened the scoring for Church. Two minutes later a second player from Winchester found himself in the referee’s book as their number 5 hacked down Price on the Church right, the game was starting to impersonate the action at the end of the first half, from the free kick Church gained a corner which came to nothing.
Church were now starting to play some attractive and neat football, which did not seem to go down well with our opponents, as they looked to add to their tally in the referee’s notebook, and on the 57th minute the Winchester number 8 was also booked for yet another poor challenge, this time on Smith. The free kick from Burden tested the goalkeeper and brought a good save from Harper.
Positive play continued from Church without really threatening to add to their tally when in the 64th minute the Winchester number 10 was also booked for a foul on Price as he was heading towards goal, soon after Winchester made their third substitution and replaced their number 10 for S. Hussey (14).
At this point Church were finding themselves dropping off too much and allowing 10 man Winchester to gain some confidence and it came as no surprise that this period of play resulted in an equalizing goal from Bye (11) after a needless free kick was given away on the edge of the Church box. The home side now seemed a little rattled and another free kick in the 71st minute, also on the edge of the Church box, went just wide from Winchester.
Ben Osborne became the only Church player to be booked (73rd minute) after a tired looking lunge from behind saw him bring down a player, however, he showed he still had gas left in the tank to get into the six yard box and turn in a James Burden driven cross, courtesy of his thigh, in the 75th minute.
This goal seemed to drain all the effort from our visitors, after their best 10 minute spell and five minutes later a second goal from Osborne after a mistake in the Winchester penalty area. The final goal came only a minute later from Burden after a driven shot took a slight deflection past the stricken goalkeeper.

A disciplined performance from Church against a physical and imposing side saw the kind of display and result missing from their last home match, excellent.

Man of the Match : Marc Fairbrother

Duffers

CHRISTCHURCH V NEW MILTON TOWN

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 3

GOAL SCORERS: PAUL RIDEOUT, JACQUES BERNARD

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. JACQUE BERNARD
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

SUBS USED:

BEN HATCH
MARTIN HARRIS
BEN HATCH


In probably their worst performance of the season Christchurch were beaten by the odd goal in five by a hard working keen New Milton side who are battling for points to avoid relegation.

The home side started positively in the first couple of minutes putting three balls into the visitors penalty area but as was the case all night these were cleared relatively easily with no pressure being put on the defenders. In the third minute in their first attack New Milton took the lead when they broke through the middle of the home defence and Avery finished neatly giving Kearn in the home goal no chance.

This spurred Church on and skipper Dan Crutchley had a header cleared off the line and a Tom Jeffes effort was well saved. However the visitors were breaking quickly with their forwards looking lively and it took a Jacque Bernard challenge to avoid a clear run on goal on 22 minutes and on 29 minutes New Milton should have increased their lead but a close range effort went over the bar. Tom Jeffes then spurned two efforts to equalise firstly heading wide from a Costello cross and secondly falling over when in a good position. It came as no surprise when the visitors increased their lead on 36 minutes when Dominic Allen who was lively throughout turned a Church defender on the edge of the penalty area and finished superbly again giving Kearn no chance.

If we thought matters would improve in the second half we were in for an unpleasant shock when on 46 minutes the normally reliable Ben Lucas on as substitute slipped over leaving Allen with a clean run on goal to make it 0-3. From then on the home side applied constant pressure and were rewarded on 73 minutes when a Paul Rideout shot went through a packed penalty area and ended up in the net. Church continued to have the majority of the play but balls into the box were well defended and it was not until injury time that Jacque Bernard netted from close range.

Overall we know Church can play much better than this and I am sure that in forthcoming weeks they will but at the moment they lack a cutting edge in front of goal and if they do not score early in games they have problems. We have every confidence that the manager will sort this out starting at home to Winchester on Saturday.

Donners

BROCKENHURST V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 1

GOAL SCORER: MARC FAIRBROTHER

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

SUBS USED:

BEN HATCH
JACQUES BERNARD


The visitors were literally mugged in this local derby as apart from a 5 minute spell they totally dominated the game but in this 5 minutes the home side scored twice to clinch the 3 points. Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the second half in a match poorly officiated.

From the start Church were camped in the home sides half and they should have taken the lead on 15 minutes when Tom Jeffes set up Ben Osborne who shot just wide from 10 yards but the best chance again fell to Osborne on 33 minutes who after being sent through by Mark Smith screwed his effort past the post. Then came the 5 minutes of madness which cost the game as on 35 minutes in their first real attack Brockenhurst took the lead A home forward was allowed to run through on goal unchallenged and whilst Stewart Kearn saved well from the first effort the visitors defence failed to clear the ball resulting in the same player following through to score in an empty net. Worse was to follow shortly after when a handball by Paul Rideout from a free kick resulted in a penalty which was easily converted. So at half time the hosts led by 2-0 when Church had had the majority of the play but had failed to convert this into goals.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first when on 47 minutes Osborne headed over from 5 yards and a Smith free kick into the penalty area went past everybody including 2 Church players at the far post who only had to get a touch to score.

The main talking point of the evening then occurred on the hour mark when after a free kick was awarded to Church Stewart Kearn was sent off for violent conduct when out of sheer frustration he felled one of the home side in full view of the officials. In his defence the player concerned had elbowed skipper Dan Crutchley earlier in the game with no action being taken. Substitute Ben Hatch took over in goal with the unfortunate David Legg being taken off and quite remarkably and as a testament to the way Church were playing he had very little to do in the last 30 minutes apart from mundane matters.

Christchurch continued to press and on 70 minutes were rewarded for their efforts with a superb goal from Marc Fairbrother who after a short run finished superbly from 22 yards. It was then all one way traffic to the end of the game and the home side were also reduced to 10 men on 80 minutes when their centre half was sent off for 2 bookable offences inside 5 minutes but despite this constant pressure Church were unable to equalise despite being denied what appeared to be a good claim for a penalty due to a handball incident similar to the one that was awarded against them.

So a loss but there were so many positives to come out off the game and on another day it could have resulted in a victory by some 6 goals.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH v TOTTON AND ELING

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League

Match Result: 3 - 1

Goal Scorers: Marc Fairbrother, Tom Jeffes, Jacques Bernard

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. David Legg
4. Dan Crutchley
5. Steve Linpow
6. Martin Harris
7. Marc Fairbrother
8. Ben Lucas
9. Ben Osborne
10. Tom Jeffes
11. Paul Rideout

SUBS:

12. Jacques Bernard
14. Tom Price
15. Colin Dand
16. Simon Keates
17. Steve Green

It was a happy New Year for the hosts and especially 17 year old Jacques Bernard who was the toast of Hurn Bridge after coming on as substitute for the last 20 minutes and making one goal and scoring himself.

Both sides started well and it was easy to see why Totton are having a successful first season in the top flight. Firstly Ben Osborne headed wide and then skipper Dan Crutchley hit the bar from a David Legg cross whilst the visitors had two close range chances which were narrowly off target. Church made an early tactical switch with Ben Lucas having started in midfield and receiving an early booking moving back to his normal position of centre back and Dan Crutchley moving forward to take his place in midfield. This proved to be a very important move.

Shortly before the half hour mark Totton nearly took the lead when a fine left wing strike went just wide but then at the other end Church took the lead when Marc Fairbrother who was causing problems to the visitors defence cut in from the right and placed a left foot effort inside the far post. This spurred Totton on and for the last 5 minutes of the half they dominated play but thanks to fine defending Church retained their lead at the half time whistle.

The start of the second half started as the first finished and the visitors equalised on 46 minutes when a long throw into the box was not cleared and Marwood the Totton centre forward finished clinically from close range giving Kearn in the home goal no chance.

The game then ebbed and flowed from end to end with both sides spurning chances to take the lead but both Church substitutes were causing problems especially Tom Price with his pace but it was the other substitute Jacque Bernard who played in Tom Jeffes on 80 minutes who lobbed the keeper to put the home side ahead. Bernard himself then scored his first senior goal on 88 minutes when a left wing cross evaded everybody and he cut inside a defender to finish with some aplomb. A proud moment indeed for all connected with Christchurch especially his dad Tony.

This was an important win for Christchurch it being their first game for some 6 weeks against a good Totton & Eling outfit and especially it showed their fitness after such a long lay off. The next 10 days could well prove to be a major factor in how the season will finish as there is a quarter final Hants cup game and 2 league games in this period but it will see the return of influential midfielder Mark Smith and defender Dan Taylor to the fold after what must seem the longest suspensions ever!!

Man of the Match: David Legg

Donners

ALRESFORD TOWN V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 1

Goal Scorer: Tom Price

1. Stewart Kearn
2.Adam Costello
3. David Legg
4. Dan Crutchley
5. Ben Lucas
6. Martin Harris
7. Mark Smith
8. Marc Fairbrother
9. Ben Osborne
10. Tom Price
11. Paul Rideout

Subs used:

Martin Lawrence
Ben Hatch
Paul Manning

The writer probably along with all the spectators present had to look in the Sunday papers to believe this score line as a game which the visitors dominated from start to finish resulted in a defeat by a home side who mustered only a handful of attacks during the entire 90 minutes.

For the first 20 minutes Christchurch played some of their best football for many a year with movement, crisp passing and forcing a number of corners. However the most important factor was missing GOALS !! . It would have been fair to say that after this 20 minutes Church should have been at least 4 goals to the good but it was not to be.

Tom Price, who was extremely lively throughout and caused Alresford problems with his pace started the ball rolling in the very 1st minute with a shot that was tipped over the bar and from the resulting corner which was not cleared Ben Osborne looking offside missed from 8 yards. In the 4th minute from another corner there was an almighty goalmouth scramble and 2 minutes later Price hit the post with a header. On 15 and 16 minutes firstly Osborne shot just wide and Costello from another corner and with a free header headed wide. For the remainder of the half Kearn in the visitors goal was virtually a spectator as Christchurch pressed for that elusive first goal but continued to be denied but the most blatant miss was on the stroke of half time when the impressive Ben Lucas somehow contrived to put a header wide from virtually on the goal line.

The talk at the interval was it would be one of those days and we would end up losing 1-0 which was not far wrong. With their first attack of the second half and their first real attack of the game the home side took the lead when Kearn saved well but the ball fell kindly for another forward who was left with an open goal. Both players involved looked offside but it was one of those days. Christchurch continued to attack and on 62 minutes they were awarded a penalty when Price was brought down in full flight but leading scorer Ben Osborne shot tamely wide. Then as so often happens with Church sending men forward a quick break resulted in a second goal for Alresford with keeper Kearn lucky to still be on the field. In time added on for injury lo and behold a Christchurch goal by Price but too little too late.

Well done to the home side who could not quite believe the result themselves and it was a real case of déjà vu as this was the third game in a row they had beaten Christchurch and in all of these games they were second best in all aspects apart from scoring goals . With regards to Church on a similar day they will score 8 as looking on the bright side at least they were creating many a chance.

Donners

BRADING TOWN V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 2

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

SUBS USED

TOM PRICE
BEN HATCH

Christhcurch continued on from their big win at Whitchurch on Tuesday with another away win. Although the margin was only one goal Church always looked the better side and could well have won by a bigger score.

All credit to Brading for ensuring the game went ahead and the visitors started brightly and on 8 minutes Ben Osborne was just wide from a Dan Taylor cross and on 15 minutes Tom Jeffes after a fine run shot narrowly wide. Paul Rideout had two fine efforts one being headed off the line and from the resulting corner Christchurch took a desrved lead when top scorer Osborne netted from close range (some thought it was an own goal but the writer is sure that Osborne had the final touch!!).

It was 28 minutes before Kearn in the visitors goal had a serious shot to save and he did well saving at the near post. Church should have increased their lead on the half hour mark when Rideout after clever passing was put through on goal but his lobbed effort went well wide. For the remainder of the the half the visitors continued to dominate with neat passing in midfield and were strong in defence with Ben Lucas being particularly impressive but they failed to increase their lead.

As has been the case in recent weeks Church started the second half strongly and skipper Dan Crutchley made it 2- 0 on 47 minutes when his first header was saved but after two recent Rideout efforts had been blocked the ball came back to Crutchley to finish emphatically.

It was nearly a third on 58 minutes but Jeffes was denied by a good save and as the weather worsened the home side began to threaten and only a superb high class save from Kearn from a header on 66 minutes denied Brading opening their account, however , they did score on 78 minutes when a disputed corner was not cleared and they netted from close range.

It would appear that the final 12 minutes would be difficult but this was not the case as the goal was Brading's last real effort and if anybody was to score it would be Church.

So 20 league games played, 13 of those away and a healthy seventh position and also evens on goals scored and conceded. It will be a difficult December but if the team show the same skill and effort they showed in this game then they have nothing to fear.

Donners

TOTTON AND ELING V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 1 (MATCH ABANDONED AFTER 74 MINUTES)

GOAL SCORER: TOM JEFFES

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. DAN TAYLOR
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARTIN LAWRENCE
9. TOM PRICE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. MARC FAIRBROTHER

SUB USED:

BEN OSBORNE

The weather had the final say when the game was controversially abandoned after 74 minutes. It looked as if the worst of the wind and rain had passed but the referee after consulting all and sundry except one of his colleagues decided that it was unsafe to continue.
The larger than average crowd due to a number of assessors being present were treated to a slow opening with Church forcing two early corners but the home side who have been one of the surprise packages this season carried the more threat with their energetic work rate and neat passing and it came as no surprise when they took the lead on 21 minutes. Church have been exposed on the flanks a number of times this season and this time a cross from the right by line left a home forward with an open goal.
The rest of the first half saw Totton threatening to increase their lead but the half time score remained at 1- 0 to the home side.
As has been the case on a number of occasions the start of the second period saw a different Church and on 47 minutes a fine individual goal by Tom Jeffes brought the scores level. He received the ball some 30 yards out and with good control and pace he beat the home keeper with a fine left foot finish. The lead was only to last some 3 minutes though as Totton took the lead with a goal of comedy proportions. A throw in was taken some five yards from the right place and an innocuous cross from the right back crept into the corner of the net. Church came close to levelling five minutes after this after a goal mouth scramble but then the weather got worse and was in part responsible (perhaps the presence of the assessors was another factor) for Dan Taylor and a Totton player being given red cards after 70 minutes.
Play continued for some 4 minutes during which the referee stopped play on a couple of occasions to discuss the conditions with one of his officials and then to the disgust of the home players and officials called a halt to proceedings.
With the game being abandoned the goal scorers will not be credited with their goals but the yellow and red cards will stand which does seem rather strange. In addition whilst I have my moaning hat on the Wessex League handbook is rather vague on what applies to a game when it is abandoned. The writer spends his working week reading Income Tax Acts which are far from clear and on looking through the handbook it does not state if the result stands or if the game should be replayed. One suspects the latter but it would help all concerned if this was actually stated in the book.

Donners

BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT 2 - 3

GOAL SCORERS: BEN OSBORNE (2), TOM JEFFES

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. BEN LUCAS
6. MARTIN LAWRENCE
7. MARK SMITH
8. TOM PRICE
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUBS USED

12. DAVID LEGG
14. PAUL RIDEOUT

The saying "a game of two halves" is used all too commonly but if there was ever a game that was suited to this title then this was it.

In the first 45 minutes Christchurch were dire with just one effort on goal but with the second half it was a different story due to manager Graham Kemp's team talk and astute tactical changes resulting in an injury time winning goal.

The first 20 minutes were fairly even but on 21 minutes the home side took the lead when from a corner the marking was non existent resulting in a free header from 5 yards. Matters got worse for Church 2 minutes later when the dangerous Neil Williams was allowed to run some 40 yards unchallenged and slot the ball home to make it 2- 0. After this the visitors played some neat football without threatening in the final third and were fortunate it was only 2- 0 at the break as on 41 minutes they cleared an effort off the goal line.

What a difference the break made and with the introduction of David Legg, within 5 minutes of the restart it was all level. Firstly on 48 minutes Ben Osborne scored a scrambled goal from close range and on 50 minutes Tom Jeffes held off a strong unfair challenge from a defender rounded the goalkeeper and netted the equaliser. In addition there were two further opportunities for Church to take the lead in the next 5 minutes but these were not taken. It was not all one way traffic however as the home side were dangerous at set pieces due to their tall players and they nearly took the lead on 64 minutes when Williams hit the top of the bar with a left wing cross shot.

However due to strong defending by the visitors especially the impressive Ben Lucas it was Church who looked the most likely to score the winner and when it came in injury time it was worth the wait. Substitute Paul Rideout crossed from the left and Mark Smith who became more influential as the game progressed hit a superb volley from 15 yards against the post/ crossbar but the rebound fell to the head of Ben Osborne who scored his 12th goal of the season.

Credit obviously goes to the players but also to the manager who was brave enough to change both personnel and the system after the first 45 minutes. Also credit must go to the home clubs officials who whilst obviously disappointed at losing after being 2 goals ahead were full of praise for our comeback and were very hospitable ( some other clubs take note!!)

Donners

RUSSELL COTES CUP ROUND 1

TOTTON AND ELING V CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT 3 - 1 (AET)

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. ADAM COSTELLO
5. BEN LUCAS
6. SIMON KEATES
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

Subs Used:

MARTIN LAWRENCE
BEN HATCH
PAUL MANNING

Christchurch were left to rue missed chances in a first half they totally dominated as they were knocked out of the Russell- Cotes cup at the first hurdle after extra time.

The visitors started well and on 2 minutes Paul Rideout hit the post after being set up by Tom Jeffes and on 5 minutes Jeffes lob went over the bar. It came as no surprise on 10 minutes that Church took the lead as Marc Fairbrother had a shot deflected for a corner from which skipper Dan Crutchley netted following a Ben Lucas header.

Christchurch continued to dominate with Mark Smith influential in midfield and Fairbrother and Costello dangerous on the right hand side and it was not until the half hour mark that Kearn had a save to make when he denied the home side in a one on one situation. Church looked to extend their lead and Ben Lucas was unlucky on 37 minutes when from a Smith free kick his header was well saved. The half time score of 0-1 was not a fair reflection of the play and this was to prove decisive later.

The second half started with Totton looking far more dangerous and it was no surprise when they equalised on 57 minutes with a shot from 20 yards. The home side looked more likely to score again but the impressive Ben Lucas was unlucky on 70 minutes when he headed against the bar from a corner and the nearest to a winning goal came in injury time from Totton when their substitute shot well wide when well placed.

So once again into extra time and possibly penalties but it was not to be as Totton scored twice in the space of 4 minutes in the second period both goals from close range and both possibly could have been defended better.

Extra time and a loss were the 2 last things Graham Kemp and his men wanted prior to the Vase game on Saturday and Poole midweek but they have shown great character before and I am sure they will do so again.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH V BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 2

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

SUBS USED:

PAUL RIDEOUT
SIMON KEATES
TOM PRICE

It was unlucky 15 for Christchurch as they were defeated by an energetic Poppies team who worked very hard for each other and whose second goal was good enough to win any game.

The game started brightly for the home side wide with skipper Dan Crutchley narrowly wide with a header in the 1st minute and they took the lead on 5 minutes when Ben Osborne cleverly back heeled a Tom Jeffes cross into the net. They very nearly increased the lead on 14 minutes with Crutchley again in the thick of matters narrowly missing from close range.
After this though the visitors started to close down Church very quickly when they had possession and although their attacks did not trouble Kearn in the home goal they equalised with their first real threat on goal when a shot from Cann crept into the net. Stewart being an honest soul will readily admit he should have done better but you are allowed 1 mistake every season!!

With this goal Poppies gained in confidence and they were denied what looked a clear cut penalty and also by Ben Lucas heading just over his own crossbar.

The start of the second half was similar to the first with Jeffes firstly shooting well wide when in a good position and Fairbrother after a mazy run delaying his effort too long and being dispossessed. The game was won on 48 minutes when a 40 yard diagonal pass landed in the path of Scott Sanderson who thundered in an unstoppable shot from 22 yards into the top corner.

After this Church were restricted to few chances but they wasted 2 free kicks on the edge of the penalty area with Osborne & Lawrence shooting wide. The game should have been sewn up by Poppies on 75 minutes when Cann who was clean through on goal inexplicably passed to a colleague who was clearly offside.

Manager Graham Kemp then made a triple substitution on 78 minutes and whilst Church camped themselves into the visitors half the nearest they came to equalising was when Jason Harvell produced a superb save from a Mark Smith free kick.

A shame that Christchurch lost both their unbeaten home record and undefeated run but it was to a side full of confidence who could well be the dark horses in contention for the title.

MAN OF THE MATCH: BEN LUCAS

Donners

LYMINGTON TOWN V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT 1 - 1

GOAL SCORER: Ben Osborne

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. MARTIN LAWRENCE
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM PRICE
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUBS:

12. TOM JEFFES
14. PAUL RIDEOUT
15. COLIN DAND

Christchurch extended their unbeaten run to 14 games and were probably grateful for a point against a hard working Lymington side.

The game started with defender Adam Costello posing the most threat as an attacking force as on 4 minutes he headed against the bar from a Mark Smith corner and on 14 minutes from a Smith free kick he headed wide when he really should have hit the target.
The next 10 minutes saw Church threatening to open the scoring but failing to do so as both Marc Fairbrother and Tom Price came close but it was not all one way traffic with the home side coming close to opening their account on 25 minutes when only a superb clearance off the line from Steve Linpow saved Church and shortly after this Lymington's aggressive number 9 Jo Kittle shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.

On 34 minutes with the first real show of class in the game Church took the lead when excellent inter passing between Smith and Burden resulted in Ben Osborne finishing clinically from 10 yards. This should have been the start of the visitors dominating but it was not to be as just before half time Lymington exposed the defensive weakness on the right hand side of the Church defence resulting in skipper Darren Ritchie netting from close range.

The second half went from end to end with again the visitors looking the more dangerous side with Mark Smith probing in midfield but twice substitute Tom Jeffes was unable to hit the target from close range and also James Burden having a header cleared off the line. As the game drew to a conclusion a rare mistake from Linpow ( probably his first this season) resulted in a break down the right hand side and only a timely interception from impressive Church skipper Dan Crutchley from the resulting cross prevented a clear chance on goal.

A fair result but after last weekends heroics Church may feel it is 2 points dropped and now we move on to a very interesting November starting with Bournemouth Poppies on Tuesday!! I am sure Graham and his squad are more than capable of extending their undefeated run.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH V WIMBORNE TOWN

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 1

Goal Scorer: Ben Osborne (2)

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

SUBS

12.BEN HATCH
14.COLIN DAND
15.SIMON KEATES
16.JACQUES BERNARD

In front of a healthy Hurn Bridge crowd of 198 Christchurch completed a rare double over their local rivals. This was even more remarkable as Church were short of 6 regular players and shows the strength of Graham Kemps squad.

The first few minutes were tentative with both sides testing each other out but with the first real attack of the game the visitors took the lead on 14 minutes. A superb pass from ex Christchurch youngster Liam Green split the home defence down the left hand side resulting in a cross being easily converted by another ex Christchurch player prolific scorer Scott Joyce. In fact Joyce should have netted again in the following minute when he headed over from a left wing cross.
On 25 minutes only a superb challenge by Ben Lucas in the home defence denied Joyce again and at this stage Church were finding it difficult to play with the wind at their backs often over hitting passes and their only real effort on goal in the opening period was a Mark Smith 25 yard drive that was easily saved by Hutchins in the Wimborne goal.
At half time the score reflected the state of the game although the visitors may have thought the lead should have been greater.

The second half started with Ben Lucas who had been a tower of strength in The Church defence clearing off the line but after this the home side began to start passing the ball to feet with Mark Smith beginning to dominate matters in midfield and the lively Tom Price causing problems to the tall Wimborne defence. It came as no surprise when on 58 minutes from an Adam Costello cross and a Marc Faibrother deflection that Ben Osborne hammered in the equaliser from close range. Church continued to look the more dangerous side but they had a fortunate escape on 66 minutes when Joyce put through on the right hand side of the penalty area beat Kearn with a neat chip with the ball going narrowly wide of the far post.

The defining moment of the game came on 75 minutes when a dreadful error by Hutchins in the visitors goal resulted in his clearance being charged down by Tom Price and the ball being deflected to Ben Osborne who with some authority slammed the ball into the empty net from 15 yards for his 2nd goal of the game. Wimborne pushed forward in search of the equaliser and the nearest they came was on 82 minutes when the hard working Martin Lawrence produced a stunning challenge in the penalty area to deter a clear effort on goal.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARK SMITH (BUT THE WHOLE SIDE COULD HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE AWARD FOR THEIR SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE)

This result means that Christchurch are now undefeated in 13 matches and also retain their unbeaten home record.

On a personal note and I am sure I speak for the chairman and all of the Christchurch committee I would like to congratulate the manager and all the players ( not only the ones involved yesterday) for their efforts so far this season as it is far from easy to compete in this league being one of the few teams with no budget. It just goes to show you how far you can go with team spirit and a manager with good contacts.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH V ROMSEY TOWN

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 0 - 0

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. David Legg
4. Dan Crutchley (c)
5. Steve Linpow
6. Martin Lawrence
7. Simon Keates
8. Danny Taylor
9. Ben Osborne
10. Tom Price
11. Marc Fairbrother

12. Colin Dand
14. Robbie Woolner
15. Ben Hatch
16. Ben Lucas
17. Jacques Bernard

Christchurch stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games and also maintained their home record but these were the only positive points to come out of a dull game devoid of goalmouth action. The visitors had done their homework and had learnt lessons from their home defeat 2 weeks earlier and played a system that the home side were unable to break down.
The game started positively for Church and on 2 minutes from a corner Steve Linpow blazed well over the bar when well placed and Tom Price was causing havoc with his pace despite being constantly fouled. However it was the visitors who looked more likely to score in the opening half as on 10 minutes Kearn saved well when the home defence failed to clear a corner but the keeper was at fault when on 29 minutes he came and failed to collect a ball with the result that a shot went narrowly wide. A further mistake by Legg on 35 minutes again resulted in a poor finish and the half time whistle could not come early enough for Church.
Matters improved in the second half but despite having the majority of the possession the home side were unable to penetrate a solid hard working visitors defence and the best and probably only chance of the half came deep into injury time when only a superb save from Hookaway in the Romsey goal denied substitute Ben Lucas from scoring with a header.
A draw was a fair result as Christchurch were obviously tired after 3 extra time games in 2 weeks and on the positive side a clean sheet was kept due to a solid defensive performance.


CHRISTCHURCH MAN OF THE MATCH: STEVE LINPOW

NEW MILTON TOWN V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE CUP - ROUND TWO

Match result: 1 - 1 (AET) Christchurch won 5 - 4 on penalties

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. Dan Taylor
4. Dan Crutchley
5. Steve Linpow
6. Martin Lawrence
7. Mark Smith
8. Marc Fairbrother
9. Robbie Woolner
10. Tom Price
11. James Burden

12. Paul Rideout
14. David Legg
15. Tom Jeffes
16. Ben Lucas
17. Ben Hatch

Christchurch won their second game on penalties in the last 2 weeks and also the third time they have played extra time in this period. The game should in reality not have gone this far as the hosts equalising goal came in the 4th minute of injury time with their last attack so once again the hero was keeper Stewart Kearn with the one penalty save and also some superb penalty taking.

Church started the game at a fast pace and for the first 5 minutes were camped in the New Milton half with good passing and movement especially on the right hand side. However there was no end result and the home side gradually came more into the game with their midfield moving the ball around well and they were unlucky not to take the lead firstly on 32 minutes when after a fine save from Kearn the resulting corner was headed off the line by Burden and then secondly 2 minutes later from another corner Fairbrother did the same. this was the end of a ten minute spell of attacking football from the home side which but for some stout defending by Church could well have resulted in them taking the lead. Just before the half-time break a Church attack down the right involving Costello and Fairbrother resulted in Price heading just wide.

Half time: New Milton Town 0 - Christchurch 0

The second half started with the hosts pushing forward and Kearn again saving well from a 20 yard effort whilst at the other end Mark Smith narrowly cleared the bar with a free kick on the edge of the area. The opening goal came on 73 minutes when Costello again pushing forward crossed and the ball spinning in the air was met by James Burden who out jumped the keeper to score with a header. It looked as if this would be the final score as the visitors kept the ball well but were caught out in New Milton's last foray into their penalty area when a cross was stabbed home from close range.

Full time: New Milton Town 1 - Christchurch 1

In extra time both sides had the chances to kill the game off but they were not taken resulting in the dreaded penalty shoot out. As previously stated the Church penalties were excellent (so were the first four from New Milton), but special mention of Ben Hatch with the fifth nearly breaking the net with its ferocity. So to the fifth from New Milton a weak effort straight at Kearn who saved easily. Next round home to Poole!!

A good solid performance from Christchurch who showed plenty of character and fight once again against opponents who have produced some good results.

Final score: Christchurch won 5 -4 on penalties.

Donners

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League

Saturday 10th October 2009 KO 3:00pm

CHRISTCHURCH V LAVERSTOCK & FORD

MATCH RESULT 2 - 1

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. Dan Taylor
4. Dan Crutchley
5. Steve Linpow
6. Dan J Taylor
7. Mark Smith
8. Marc Fairbrother
9. Ben Osborne
10. Tom Price
11. Paul Rideout

12. Robbie Woolner
14.James Burden
15. David Legg
16. Ben Lucas
17. Tom Jeffes

At a sun drenched Hurn Bridge Christchurch were fortunate to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games with a narrow win against opponents who could well cause some surprises for the remainder of the season.
The home side started strongly and nearly opened the scoring as early as the 2nd minute when the pace of Tom Price resulted in him chasing a long ball and lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper only to see it go narrowly wide.Two minutes after this both Rideout and Osborne had good chances but delayed shooting resulting in the away defence being able to clear their lines.
Laverstock then came into the game with their pacey wingers causing problems to the home defence but again the home side should have opened the scoring on 9 minutes when a fierce shot from Price hit the post & Osborne following up missed an open goal.
At the other end Kearn had to be alert to turn a shot round the post and from the resulting corner was grateful to see Rideout clear an effort off the line.
It looked as if both sides had left their scoring boots at home as Dan Crutchley then hit the bar with a header from a Mark Smith corner but then on 25 minutes Price again used his pace to good effect breaking the offside trap and crossing for Osborne to net from close range.
This had the result of spurring on the visitors and it came as no real surprise when following another left wing run to the byline and fine cross resulted in Adam Heath applying a neat finish from 10 yards for the equaliser.
It looked as if this would be the half time score but after 43 minutes with the best move of the match a long ball out of defence to Price resulted in him speeding away from the defence and feeding Mark Smith who scored with some aplomb.
This had certainly been an entertaining half which surely could not continue in the second half.
This proved to be the case and it was Laverstock who looked the livelier side in the second period and Church were grateful firstly to Kearn on two occasions with good saves and secondly to the referee who blew for a free kick to the visitors on the edge of the area when if he had allowed play to continue a goal would have resulted and also denying them a penalty from a clear case of handball.
In the last ten minutes Church should have increased their lead as with the visitors pushing men forward Smith twice and Osborne were clean through on goal but wanted too much time to apply the finishing touch.
After their mid week extra time a good 3 points but to continue their good run the defence will require to tighten up and the forwards to make more of the opportunities that come their way.

CHRISTCHURCH MAN OF THE MATCH: TOM PRICE

Donners

HANTS SENIOR CUP

Christchurch v Eastleigh

Tuesday October 6th 2009 ko 7:45pm

Match Result: 2 - 1 (After extra-time)

TEAM

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Colin Dand
3. Dave Legg
4. Dan Crutchley
5. Adam Costello
6. Dan Taylor
7. Mark Smith
8. Marc Fairbrother
9. Ben Osborne
10. Ton Jeffes
11. Paul Rideout

SUBS:

Robbie Woolner
Martin Lawrence
Ben Hatch


After a nervous start Christchurch progressed to the next round of the Hampshire Senior cup against a youthful Eastleigh side.
The away side made a bright side and after a fine save by Kearn in the home goal on 3 minutes they opened the scoring on 4 minutes with a sublime finish by Jason Brockett after a defence splitting pass.
It took Church 20 minutes before they had their first effort on goal which was a header from Jeffes that went narrowly wide whilst at the other end player manager Ian Baird hit the bar with a header from a corner.
As Church came more into the game Dan Taylor had an effort kicked off the line with ex Christchurch keeper Dan Loader well beaten and the impressive Marc Fairbrother shot narrowly wide after a fine run. The first half ended with both sides nearly scoring with Kearn tipping a snap shot over the bar and Fairbrother being denied by fine defending at the other end.
Due to an injury to Legg, Martin Lawrence made his comeback from injury and he was instrumental in setting up Osborne on 46 minutes who delayed too long when he should really have scored and in the next minute Mark Smith hit the post with a fine effort.
The home side were now on top with Smith in charge in midfield and following superb interplay down the left Mark Smith equalised with an 18 yard shot.
This gave the home side further confidence and after a period of sustained pressure only an excellent save by Loader denied Jeffes scoring on 88 minutes with the result that the game went into extra time.
The defining moment in extra time came with the introduction of prolific Reserve goal scorer Ben Hatch who had an immediate impact on the game when he was introduced at the start of the second period and he chased down a defenders clearance and with Loader out of his goal the ball fell kindly to Martin Lawrence to net from 20 yards with fierce drive.
The remainder of the game saw the visitors pushing forward but the Church defence with Costello and Crutchley outstanding held firm.
A fine result for Church which saw them maintain their unbeaten home record and also extend their undefeated run but they need to be careful in forthcoming games to start games as well as they finish them.


CHRISTCHURCH MAN OF THE MATCH: MARC FAIRBROTHER

Donners

Saturday 3rd October 2009

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League

CHRISTCHURCH FC V NEWPORT (IOW)

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. David Legg
4. Dan Crutchley
5. Steve Linpow
6. Dan Taylor
7. Mark Smith (capt)
8. Danny J Taylor
9. Ben Osborne
10. Tom Jeffes
11. Marc Fairbrother

Subs:
12. Paul Rideout
14. Robbie Woolner
15. James Burden
16. Tom Price
17. Colin Dand

Match Result: 2 - 2

Goal Scorers: Ben Osborne, Tom Jeffes

This was a vastly enjoyable game between the teams that came 6th & 7th last season and was a credit to the Wessex League. At the end the home side were grateful for a point as for long periods they had been outplayed.
Newport were denied a goal as early as the 4th minute when only a last ditch tackle from Steve Linpow saved the situation but at the other end Daniel J Taylor shot narrowly wide and Mark Smith had a shot blocked from a Fairbrother cross.
On 15 minutes Kearn in the home goal had to be alert to turn a 20yard drive for a corner and within 2 minutes the visitors had a golden opportunity to open the scoring when a header from 2 yards following a corner went over the bar.
It came as a surprise when Church opened the scoring on 36 minutes when following a superb passing movement between Fairbrother and Costello resulted in Tom Jeffes netting with a smart header. However they were unable to hold onto the lead until the half time break as a left wing cross found the home defence all at sea and Charlie Smeeton headed in from close range.
Christchurch had the ideal start to the second half when on 48 minutes Ben Osborne netted after a fine run and cross from Jeffes but this did not inspire the home side but had a positive affect on Newport who with neat passing looked dangerous every time they attacked and it came as no surprise when they equalised on 68 minutes with Darren Powell applying a neat finish from 12 yards following another cross which Church failed to cut out.
Both sides made positive substitutions looking for the winning goal and came close on a number of occasions with Tom Price looking very sharp for the home side, but no further goals were forthcoming.
On a personal note and I am sure the Chairman will agree these games are the type for which all the time we give up makes it all worthwhile as the pitch was superb, the officials excellent, the football of a high standard and the after match hospitality with the opposition most enjoyable.

CHRISTCHURCH MAN OF THE MATCH: TOM JEFFES

Donners

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Sydenhams Wessex League Cup 1st Round

DOWNTON V CHRISTCHURCH FC

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Colin Dand
3. Dave Legg
4. Dan Crutchley
5. Steve Linpow
6. Dan Taylor
7. Mark Smith
8. Dan J Taylor
9. Robbie Woolner
10. Tom Jeffes
11. Paul Rideout

SUBS

12. Ben Osborne
14. Marc Fairbrother
15. Adam Costello
16. Ben Hatch
17. Paul Manning


A dramatic finale resulted in Christchurch progressing into the next round of the league cup by virtue of holding their nerve in a tense penalty shoot out.

There was no sign of the drama to come as for the first 10 minutes the visitors passed the ball around with good movement and it was no surprise when Tom Jeffes scored what is now becoming his customary goal on 11 minutes from a Colin Dand through ball.
For the next 15 minutes Church came close to increasing their lead on a number of occasions the nearest being a Robbie Woolner cross shot from the left that narrowly missed the post.
However the second goal was not forthcoming and the home side grew on confidence and on the half hour mark equalised when the dangerous Thick scored from 20 yards having been denied in the previous minute by a fine save by Kearn in the visitors goal.
For the remainder of the half Downton looked the more dangerous side with the visitors having lost their influential midfielder Mark Smith due to an injury resulting in a re-shuffle.

Half Time: 1 - 1

The first of many baffling decisions by the referee came on 55 minutes when the home side scored with a header from a corner but this was disallowed and then in the next minute Jeffes netted from close range and the referee awarded a goal, the linesman was on his way back to the half way line when a Downton player asked the referee to speak to his assistant and then promptly awarded a free kick!!
For the remainder of normal time Church were camped in the Downton half but good solid defending kept them at bay and it came as a surprise when in a rare home side attack the referee awarded a penalty for what appeared to be a fair challenge by Linpow, justice was done though when Kearn saved the resulting spot kick.

Full Time 1 - 1

Again in extra time the visitors dominated but failed to make the break through and in the resulting penalty shoot out the normally reliable Rideout missed with the first kick and it was not until their 4th penalty that Downton missed to even matters. Churchs remaining penalties were struck firmly and the game was decided when the home side shot wide with their 7th.
At the end a good win for Church against determined opponents and a poor referee but they will need to find their shooting boots in the next few weeks to maintain their league position.

Extra Time 1 - 1 (Christchurch won 6 - 5 on penalties)

Donners

Saturday 26th September 2009

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League

ROMSEY TOWN v CHRISTCHURCH FC ko 3:00pm

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. David Legg
4. Dan Crutchley
5. Steve Linpow
6. Dan Taylor
7. Mark Smith
8. Dan J Taylor
9. Ben Osborne
10. Tom Jeffes
11. Marc Fairbrother

SUBSTITUTES

12. Robbie Woolner
14. Tom Price
15. Paul Rideout
16. James Burden
17. Gareth Barnes


The visitors playing their ninth away league game of the season were slow to start with the home side having 2 early corners. However when Christchurch settled down they took the lead on 14 minutes when Tom Jeffes for the 2nd week running chased down a lost cause and scored from the edge of the penalty area.
This gave Church confidence and on 18 minutes a neat passing movement between Smith and Fairbrother resulted in another chance for Jeffes but he finished weakly.
It therefore came as a surprise when Romsey equalised on 23 minutes. They were given a disputed free kick which was superbly delivered into the penalty area for Lewis Wyeth to head into the net. Stung by this Christchurch restored their lead straight from the kick off with midfield maestro Smith netting from close range at the 2nd attempt.
Romsey who were relying on a long ball game compared to Churchs passing game came close to equalising again on the half hour when only a superb tackle from Costello saved a clean run on goal.
The half finished with the visitors in control but unable to score the important 3rd goal.

Half Time: 1 - 2

The second half was a dull scrappy affair with the only incident of note in the 50th minute when a superb Marc Fairbrother 60 yard run into the penalty area resulting in what appeared to be a foul on Jeffes but no penalty was given.
After this both defences dominated and the only danger from the home side came from corners and free kicks.
A good result from the Church who can now look forward to a number of games at Hurn Bridge and hopefully maintain their unbeatean home record.

Full Time: 1 - 2

Goal Scorers: Tom Jeffes, Mark Smith.

Tuesday 22nd September kick off 7:45pm

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League

CHRISTCHURCH FC v HAMWORTHY UNITED

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. David Legg
4. Steve Linpow
5. Ben Lucas
6. Dan Taylor
7. Mark Smith
8. Marc Fairbrother
9. Ben Osborne
10. Tom Jeffes
11. Dan J. Taylor

Subs:

12. Paul Rideout
14. Simon Keates
15. Robbie Woolner
16. Colin Dand
17. Ben Hatch

Christchurch made a number of changes due to injury and unavailability from the team that drew at Winchester on Saturday.

The game started at a lively pace and the visitors were denied taking an early lead in the 4th minute when Kearn in the home goal made a superb double save firstly from a fiercely struck free kick from 25 yards and then from the rebound when Hamworthy should have scored.
The home side responded and nearly scored twice firstly after a neat build up down the left Osborne shot weakly at the keeper and then Legg headed narrowly over the bar from a Fairbrother cross.
Christchurch took the lead on 17 minutes when again fine play down the left hand side resulted in Dan Taylor netting with a fine left shot. Hamworthy responded and twice came near to equalising when Legg nearly put through his own net and from another free kick Langrish hit the post.
The home side increased their lead on 30 minutes when Ben Lucas was left with a free header from a Mark Smith corner and scored again 6 minutes later when Marc Fairbrother deflected a Dan Taylor shot into the net.
The half time score of 3-0 was harsh on the visitors but the difference between the 2 sides was the ability to finish.
The second half started were the first finished with a neat build up this time between Fairbrother and Jeffes resulted in the latter unselfishly laying the ball back to Dan Taylor to blast home again left footed from 10 yards. These were Taylor’s first league goals for the club in 2 years.
The game continued at a lively pace with the visitors pushing forward and being denied a goal by a combination of poor finishing and fine keeping from the home custodian.
There was still time at the end of the game for young substitute Ben Hatch to blast over the bar when clean through.
This result should give Christchurch the confidence they require to strengthen their league position which currently stands at 5th as at times when they played the ball on the ground at pace they were outstanding.
Finally due to his 2 goals Dan Taylor was asked to talk to the local radio station but they had mysteriously left when he went to speak to them.


Match result: Christchurch FC 4 v Hamworthy United 0

Goal Scorers: Dan Taylor (2), Ben Lucas, Marc Fairbrother

CHRISTCHURCH MAN OF THE MATCH: BEN LUCAS

Donners

Saturday 19th September kick off 3:00pm

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League

WINCHESTER CITY v CHRISTCHURCH FC

1 Stewart Kearn
2 Steve Linpow
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley
5 Ben Lucas
6 Adam Costello
7 Mark Smith
8 Marc Fairbrother
9 Ben Osborne
10 Tom Jeffes
11 Tom Price

A goal from substitute Robbie Woolner in injury time gave Church a point in a game that they only really performed in the last 25 minutes.
The home side without a win so far this season took the lead on 14 minutes when the dangerous Danny Cox slotted home when put through and it came as no real surprise when ex Christchurch player Billy Puckett increased the lead on 35 minutes again exposing the weakness on the ground in the visitors defence. At this stage the score reflected the state of the game as Cox and Puckett were proving to be a threat.
Christchurch were given a lifeline just before halftime when a mix up between the home keeper and the centre half resulted in Tom Jeffes netting for the fourth game in a row. This goal came out of the blue as at this stage the visitors had barely mounted a serious attack.

Half time 2 - 1

The start of the second half was delayed due to an injury to one of the linesman and the home side increased their lead on 55 minutes when after a superb save from Kearn from a Cox shot, Puckett was on hand to put the rebound into the net.
On the hour the Winchester keeper was substituted due to an injury which could not have been caused by him being busy and it was from this point and the introduction of Woolner that Christchurch began to perform in a manner in which we know they are capable of.
On 71 minutes after the pass of the match from Mark Smith to Tom Price the latter was brought down in the box resulting in a penalty. However this did not result in much confidence from the visiting supporters in view of events in recent weeks but they need not have worried as after a considerable delay due to the referee moving the ball a number of times Woolner coolly blasted the ball into the roof of the net.
The play was now all in the homes side half and after this constant pressure it came as no surprise when Woolner after a mazy run hammered the ball home from 18 yards.
There was still time for another ex Church player Adam George to be sent off after 2 bookable offences.

Full time 3 - 3

Overall a fair result which in the end Christchurch were grateful for a point.

Donners