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