FA Youth cup 3rd qualifying round

Poole Town under 18’s v Christchurch under 18’s

Christchurch line up:-

1 Jason Collins
2 Dale Hyne
3 James Mardon
4 Adam Costello
5 Chris Dillon
6 Joe Mills
7 Darren Martin
8 Toby Williams (capt)
9 Jamie McMennum
10 Russell Cooke
11 Harry Rolph

12 Dan Thompson
14 Ollie Dean
15 Sam Thompson
16 Dan Houghton
GK James Stratford


Christchurch started with just Russell Cooke up front but straight from the kick off their intention was to attack. As early as 3 minutes Adam Costello whipped in a free kick, which was headed clear. From the resulting corner Toby Williams had a header cleared off the line. On 18 minutes another Christchurch corner led to the Poole keeper making a good save and the follow up shot was kicked off the line by a defender. This was followed by another Costello free kick, which cannoned back off the crossbar with the keeper well beaten. Would these missed chances cost Christchurch the opportunity to win this game? With 28 minutes on the clock a through ball found the hard working Russell Cooke who held the ball up and then slipped a glorious pass through to Harry Rolph. The left-winger took a couple of paces and slammed a right-footed shot high into the Poole net. Skipper Toby Williams suffered a bad hamstring strain and was replaced by Ollie Dean. This meant a reshuffle of the Christchurch formation and from this point Poole Town took control of the midfield.

Half time: Poole Town 0 Christchurch 1

The second half saw Poole rather dominating proceedings with the Christchurch lads continuing to work very hard to hang on to their slender lead. In breakaways Christchurch continued to make half chances but as Poole Town looked the more likelier to score goalkeeper Jason Collins had to be at his best to keep out several good Poole efforts. With Chris Dillon dominant at the back it appeared Christchurch could weather the storm but then the defence seemed to ball watch as a Poole cross was turned into the net at the far post with less than 10 minutes remaining. Right on time a Chris Dillon header was well saved by the Poole keeper.

Score at 90 minutes: Poole Town 1 Christchurch 1

Extra time saw several of the players suffering from cramp and sheer physical tiredness and at the end of the first 15 minutes. Ollie Dean had to be helped of the pitch following a severe attack of cramp. He did come back on but soon had to leave the field again for the remainder of the match leaving Christchurch to play the final 15 minutes of extra time with only 10 men. And how the 10 men battled. With 3 minutes left before the dreaded penalty shoot out Christchurch won a corner. As the ball came in from the left a goalmouth scramble followed ending when Russell Cooke drove the ball home to give Christchurch a tremendous victory.

Final score: Poole Town 1 Christchurch 2

This result was achieved through a combination of skill and determination. Above all the match was won because the Christchurch team would not accept that they could be beaten.

Well done lads, we are all very proud of you.

The Bridgeman.

Images from this match are in the image gallery.

FA Youth Cup 2nd qualifying round

CHRISTCHURCH v MONEYFIELDS

Manager Andy Mills had practically his full squad from which he made his team selection:-

1 Jason Collins
2 Dan Hyne
3 James Marden
4 Chris Dillon
5 Adam Costello
6 Joe Mills
7 Darren Martin
8 Toby Williams (capt)
9 Ollie Dean
10 Russell Cooke
11 Harry Rolph

12 Dan Thompson
14 Jamie McMennum
15 Sam Thompson
GK James Stratford

The kick off was delayed by 10 minutes due to the late arrival of the Moneyfields side thanks to the traffic between Portsmouth and Christchurch. When the game did start we were treated to an exciting contest between two well-matched and fully committed teams. Adam Costello nearly gave Christchurch the early lead in the 4th minute when his beautifully struck free kick rebounded to safety off the post. However Moneyfields were looking dangerous on the counter attack and gradually took control of the game with their front-runners keeping the Christchurch defence on their toes. As the half drew to a close it looked as if Christchurch would go in some what fortunately on level terms but in the very last minute of the first period Moneyfields were quite rightly awarded a penalty when their forward was brought down in the box following another long through ball. The well-struck penalty crashed back into play off the keeper’s left hand post.

Half time: Christchurch 0 Moneyfields 0

The second half started with much of the same end to end play but in the 52nd minute Moneyfields broke down their right side. The ball was expertly pulled back leaving a neat side footed finish to give Moneyfields a deserved lead. This seemed to kick Christchurch into life and the equaliser came after an hour of the match. Dan Thompson played the ball through to Oliver Dean and his shot was well parried by the Moneyfields keeper. The rebound came out to Toby Williams who found the back of the net despite the desperate attempt of the defender on the line to keep it out. 1 – 1 and anybody’s game. Christchurch now piled on the pressure and started to look the team that we know they are. A Darren Martin corner managed to miss everyone in the six-yard box, Joe Mills shot over the bar from distance, and a Harry Rolph corner was headed onto the bar by Chris Dillon. Moneyfields were not overwhelmed and continued to create chances their selves but Adam Costello in particular continued to put in well timed last ditch tackles to keep the score even. Right on 90 minutes it looked as if Russell Cooke might win it when he rounded the keeper who was well outside his area and shot but a covering defender cleared off the line. Extra time in this pulsating game was a real plus for all the spectators.

Score at 90 minutes: Christchurch 1 Moneyfields 1

With 94 minutes on the clock Christchurch again attacked and Russell Cooke turned his marker but was dragged down in the penalty area. Up stepped Dan Thompson but his shot was well saved low to the keepers right. Again play switched from end to end as the players started to get extremely tired and the cramp attacks set in. The second period of extra time started with Moneyfields attacking in an exact replica of their goal scoring attack but this time when the ball was pulled back Adam Costello was there to clear for a corner. With 112 minutes played Russell Cooke was put through and as he out muscled the defender he smashed his right-footed shot into the Moneyfields net. Surely that was the winner but the spirited Moneyfields still tried to get back into the game and 2 minutes from time an almighty goalmouth scramble in the Christchurch goalmouth ended when the referee’s assistant flagged for off side. Christchurch successfully ran down the clock to earn on away game against Poole Town on Wednesday 24th October 2007.

Final score: Christchurch 2 Moneyfields 1

Once again congratulations to both teams for putting on such a cracker of a football match.

Images from this match are in the image gallery.

The Bridgeman

FA Youth Cup
1st qualifying round
27th September 2007

Christchurch FC v VT FC

This terrific game, played in the correct manner by both Clubs was a credit to Hampshire under 18 football.

With both teams under strength on the evening it was wonder strike from Christchurch’s Dan Thompson that settled this game just before half time.

The game started at a fast pace with both sides attacking in turn. Joe Mills hit the bar for Christchurch before VT’s Freddie Cadogan hit the bar at the other end. Christchurch appeared to have the more dangerous attacking options and Chris Dillon was causing all sorts of chaos with his long throws. A series of free kicks to Christchurch swung in by skipper Adam Costello saw the excellent Matt Renouf in VT’s goal make several good catches and punches to safety. VT were also creating chances but right on the stroke off half time the Christchurch defence cleared upfield for Sam Thompson to hold the ball up and lay it off to his namesake Dan Thompson, who from just outside the penalty area struck the ball beautifully with his right foot past the despairing dive of Renouf to give Christchurch the lead.

Half time: Christchurch 1 V.T. FC 0

The second half started with Christchurch keeping possession well and running the game. It seemed a matter of time before a second goal would come. However during their occasional breakaways VT still looked capable of winning this game. In fact VT through their determination came back strongly and for the final 15 minutes were desperately pressing for the equaliser. Tiredness was starting to affect the Christchurch forwards ability to hold the ball up and it was no surprise to see players suffering from cramp. After 4 minutes of injury time the Christchurch camp were relieved to hear the final whistle in this hard fought victory.

Manager Andy Mills praised his players following the game. “They were all superb and gave everything. I would like to thank the 3 (Dorset) players who came into the depleted squad and thanks especially to Christchurch (Dorset) under 18’s manager Peter Old for allowing them to play.”
Mills continued, “VT are a good team but I thought from our keeper to our back four, we didn’t look like conceding, the midfield worked really hard and our front two literally ran themselves into the ground. I think we got what we deserved today so well done to everybody in the squad.”

1 Jason Collins
2 Dan Houghton
3 James Marden
4 Chris Dillon
5 Dale Hyne
6 Joe Mills
7 Dan Thompson
8 Adam Costello (capt)
9 Ollie Dean
10 Sam Thompson
11 Darren Martin

12 Ben Aspeling
14 Kane Brennan
15 James Wright
GK James Stratford


Final score: Christchurch 1 V.T. FC 0

The Bridgeman

Images from this match are in the image gallery.