Tuesday 26th February 2008
Sydenham’s Wessex League premier division

CHRISTCHURCH v BRADING TOWN

Following two disappointing performances both culminating in heavy defeats manager Graham Kemp made a few changes to his starting line up:

1 Rory Anderson
2 Colin Dand
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley
5 Steve Linpow
6 Lloyd Jenvey
7 Garry Funnell
8 Martin Lawrence
9 Zach Glasspool
10 Paul Manning
11 Paul Rideout

12 Marc Burrows
14 Les Wallace
15 Ross Walliss
16 Chris Dillon
17 Andy Borthwick

Following a mix up on the ferry Brading turned up with Cowes Sports blue kit rather than their own strip which necessitated Brading borrowing Christchurch’s away red kit for the evening. What a scoop for our sponsors – both teams playing with “IN-EXCESS” on their chests!

The first half saw a rather tepid performance from Christchurch with Zach Glasspool playing the lone striker role. The chances were far and few between but Paul Rideout did manage to hit the post when put through by Gary Funnell. Brading looked the more likely to score but a glaring miss towards the end of the half meant that the teams went for their break with both goalkeepers unbeaten.

Half time: Christchurch 0 Brading Town 0

The second half saw a much better display from Christchurch with some fine passing leading to many attacking moves. As the pressure built on Brading’s goal Gary Funnell was crossing some lovely centres into the danger area and Zach Glasspool, Paul Rideout and Martin Lawrence all came close to opening the scoring. Brading refused to buckle under the pressure and several good breakaway moves led to Rory Anderson in the Christchurch goal making several fine saves to keep his side level. As the clock ticked towards full time it became more and more likely that one goal would probably win the game. However we had to wait until 2 minutes from the end of normal time before we got a goal, and what a beauty it was. Several Christchurch corners were scrambled clear by the now overworked Brading Town defence when one such clearance reached Martin Lawrence some twenty yards from goal. Lawrence swung his right boot to joyfully despatch the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net for a glorious winner. Hard luck on Brading who themselves had chances to win the game but perhaps Christchurch deserved the result for their second half performance.

Final score: Christchurch 1 Brading Town 0

Man of the Match: RORY ANDERSON

The Bridgeman

Saturday 9th February 2008

Sydenhams Wessex League
Premier Division

CHRISTCHURCH v HORNDEAN

With Adam Costello still suffering from his rib injury, goalkeeper Dan Loader out for the season with his broken leg, under 18 player Chris Dillon rested and Dan Crutchley suspended, manager Graham Kemp selected the following line up:

1 Rory Anderson
2 Martin Lawrence
3 Dan Taylor
4 Steve Linpow
5 Tom Hughes
6 Lloyd Jenvey (capt)
7 Andy Borthwick
8 Les Wallace
9 Russell Cooke
10 Marc Burrows
11 Paul Rideout

12 Zach Glasspool
14 Robbie Woolner
15 Paul Manning
16 Chris Dillon
17 Adam Costello


Debuts then for goalkeeper Rory Anderson who is Andover’s number 2 keeper and Les Wallace who has joined Christchurch from Alresford. Both players played well and promise much for the future.

On a superb sunny spring day Christchurch kicked off with hopes of catching Horndean who were one place above them in the Wessex league table. However a disastrous first half saw Christchurch deservedly go three goals behind after being outplayed by a buoyant Horndean outfit. With 16 minutes gone Horndean had their first real shot on goal as Adam Rudling scored via the post from 20 yards out. With Christchurch players standing off their opponents and watching things happen instead of making them happen it was no surprise when Horndean doubled their lead. Rory Williams attacked down the left flank and took advantage of Christchurch not having a recognised right back when he fired home after 27 minutes. Still Christchurch did not wake up and Martin Lawrence was caught in possession as Williams crossed for the Wessex leagues top goalscorer Graham Lindsey to clinically finish and give Horndean a three goal lead. At last this stirred Christchurch into action. Following a free kick Horndean cleared the ball to the edge of the penalty area and Andy Borthwick drove the ball hard and low towards goal but a deflection took the ball wide. Paul Rideout took one of a succession of corners for Christchurch and from the corner flag the ball evaded everyone and settled in the top of the net. Three - one and game on! Christchurch now piled on the pressure as Horndean seemed to wilt and a desperate clearance had Christchurch claiming that the ball was over the goal line and a goal should be given. The referee declared play on and Horndean breathed again. Just before half time another close call saw Tom Hughes power his header goalwards and the Horndean full back clear off the line.

Half time: Christchurch 1 Horndean 3

The second half saw play gradually become scrappier but Christchurch made a real fight of it. 16 minutes into the half and Martin Lawrence crossed from the right. The ball evaded everybody until Horndean’s Ollie Warren handled to stop the ball going in the net. A penalty awarded and everyone waited for the referee to brandish his red card. Amazingly Mr Cassidy produced his yellow card allowing Horndean to continue the rest of the match with 11 players. Paul Rideout coolly put the spot kick away and Christchurch were right back in the game. Try as they might Christchurch could not get the equaliser and with the 90 minutes up and all the Christchurch players attacking Horndean broke away and scored their fourth through substitute Pete Lines. Still the game was not over and Martin Lawrence scored a rare header from Paul Rideout’s free kick in the 7th minute of injury time. Horndean were begging the referee to blow for time and in the end Christchurch paid the price for giving them a 3 goal lead.

Final score: Christchurch 3 Horndean 4

Christchurch Man of the Match: PAUL RIDEOUT

The Bridgeman

Saturday 2nd February 2008

CHRISTCHURCH v ALRESFORD TOWN

Sydenhams Wessex League
Premier Division


With Steve Linpow only fit enough for the bench and Adam Costello injured manager Graham Kemp selected the following line up:

1 Dan Loader
2 Martin Lawrence
3 Chris Dillon
4 Dan Crutchley
5 Tom Hughes
6 Lloyd Jenvey (capt)
7 Andy Borthwick
8 Paul Rideout
9 Russell Cooke
10 Marc Burrows
11 Zach Glasspool

12 Dan Taylor
14 Robbie Woolner
15 Steve Linpow



With the bitterly cold wind blowing across the Hurn Bridge pitch Christchurch were using the long ball to some effect. Chances came and went for Marc Burrows, Russell Cooke, Paul Rideout and Zach Glasspool. Martin Lawrence, playing in the unaccustomed right back position was using the ball to set up some good moves which were all thwarted by the Alresford keeper. When the visitors did attack they found Dan Loader in the Christchurch goal in commanding form.
All in all not a very inspiring half for either side.

Half time: Christchurch 0 Alresford Town 0

The second half was barely 10 minutes old when Dan Loader saved at an Alresford forwards feet. Sadly the young keeper suffered a broken leg in the incident and play was suspended for about half an hour whilst he received treatment and waited to be taken to hospital by ambulance. Zach Glasspool donned the goalies jumper and was quite adept in his new position. With just 15 minutes to go Lloyd Jenvey played the ball into Russell Cookes feet and the 18 year old turned his marker brilliantly and smashed a right footed drive into the back of the net to win the game for Christchurch.

Final score: Christchurch 1 Arlesford Town 0

Man of the Match: CHRIS DILLON

The Bridgeman