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