Kingswood v Christchurch

Match Result: 1 - 3

Goal Scorers: Harry, Zeddy, Josh

We went into this game knowing that we needed 5 points from the last 3
games to clinch the league but also in the knowledge that having drawn
on Sunday and then lost on Tuesday and this being their final game of
the season Kingswood would be out to prove a point. Kingswood could no
longer win the league and defeat tonight would mean 4th spot.

Both teams had to reorganise. We had no Ethan and Livs, Brandon, Olly
Balmer and Jordi had just got back from a school rugby tournament, Josh
(making an outstanding debut) had been doing cross country with the
school and Bubba was still carrying an injury. From the Kingswood point
of view Josh was ill and Owen was injured.

We took the game to them and Josh slotted away well in the third minute.
We totally dominated the rest of the half but just couldn't find more
goals; Ben and Sam in Kingswood's defence were excellent. Some of the
football both teams were playing was a joy to watch - and on the same
hard, bouncy pitch on which we had played Canon Colts last week.

Second half started much the same. Harry scored after 2 minutes and we
created more chances. Olly Balmer added a third and we looked fairly
comfortable. Every single player was outstanding but Tom (captain in
Ethan's absence) was inspired.

5 minutes from the end Zeddy hit a shot which bounced and looped over
Dec's head and for a while Kingswood piled on the pressure but we were
resolute.

Well done to all our team - and well done to Kingswood. It was a good
game and many of their players genuinely wished us luck in winning the
league.

Christchurch v Broadstone

Match Result: 4 - 0

Goal Scorers: Harry C (2), Olly B (2)

We'd picked up a couple of injuries (Bubba and Oliver D) and Brandon was away so even with Connor making his debut we only had ten players. Broadstone have only earned 4 points this season and so with all due respect we expected the win.

We started well enough and within 5 minutes Olly Balmer tucked the first one away after a good run from Harry. It was a hard pitch on Iford Lane and we struggled to get the ball down and pass it around - whenever we did we scored; twice from Harry and another by Olly.

That was 4 nil at half time and we expected to get better. But the second have was more of the same but our finishing deserted us. Despite numerous chances we failed to score and so had to settle for the 4 which was frustrating knowing this game gave us the opportunity to overtake Kingswood's 5 goal goal difference advantage over us.

Still any disappointment was quickly erased as we heard Kingswood had drawn against Branksome and Poole Town had drawn against Ringwood. Kingswood meet Poole Town on Tuesday and if that game results in a draw (and my maths are right) we can afford to lose to Kingswood on Thursday and still win the league.

Special mention to Ethan. This was his last game of the season as he goes on holiday now. Well done for another fantastic season Ethan!!

Cannon Colts v Christchurch

Match Result: 2 - 4

Goal Scorers: Olly B (2), Harry, Oliver D

After the game against Kingswood on Tuesday here was another big test against the team who have a recent league double over Kingswood. We started well on a rock hard pitch and Olly Balmer ran through in the 4th minute and slotted away comfortably. Rather than build on this though we went backwards. Bubba and Brandon were both carrying injuries sustained at a schools sports event this afternoon; and with the exception of Ethan we looked a pale shadow of the team that played two days ago. Canon seemed camped in our half but created no real goal scoring chances.

We hoped a good talking to at half time might sort things out but they stayed the same. We invited the pressure and with better finishing Canon could have scored two or three before they eventually equalised after 18 minutes of the half. That seemed to provide us with some impetus at last and we replied two minutes later through Olly Balmer. Harry and Oliver Davis added a goal each but to their credit Canon kept at it and added a second themselves.

Not a great spectacle but after the games we've had Sunday and Tuesday we'll happily take the win; and lets not forget Canon are a good team and will finish in the top 5.

Christchurch v Kingswood

Match Result: 4 - 4

Goal Scorers: Harry (3), Olly B

We really must stop doubting our players!! After the defeat in the Hants Cup Final on Sunday and also the manner of that defeat and our loss to Kingswood in the BYFL Final a few weeks ago this was going to be a real stiff challenge. We have no Max the rest of the season, Livs had a girls match, but we had Scott back. We put Scott on Josh and let everyone else play their own game.

And we totally took the game to Kingswood. We did everything we didn't do on Sunday. We battled for every ball, we ran like our lives depended on it. Players linked up better, we created chances and overall I think we deserved the win.

Harry scored after about ten minutes and that was followed by a penalty appeal which their linesman seemed to give. Scott had kept Josh quiet all game and Tom, Brandon and Jeremy had mopped up everything else. But seconds before half time Josh got his only chance of the half and it was one all.

Early in the second they had a huge penalty shout - I think we all thought Bubba handled but not given. Then déjà vu; Harry put us two one up; Josh equalised. Olly Balmer was pulled down in the penalty area and got up to take the coolest penalty in the world; 3 - 2 to us. Josh equalised.

Nearing full time now and Harry hit a ball from fully 30 yards; their 'keeper completely mis judged the bounce and it went over his head and in. 4 - 3 to us and their 'keeper was distraught.

Last couple of minutes of normal time and George picked up the ball in midfield and ran. Ethan struggled to keep up and conceded a free kick right on the edge of the box. We all know what happens next but you can do nothing about it. Up steps Josh - not even Tom on the line jumping as high as he could prevented the equaliser.

These are two outstanding teams full of hugely talented players who give their all. I could not have been more proud of our players. It's a bit sickening to concede right at the end of the game but the character every single one of them showed today was very humbling.

Poole Town beat Greenfields and we have Cannon Colts on Thursday. If we can beat them the league title can still be ours and nothing less than we deserve after the season we have had.

Salisbury City v Christchurch

Hampshire Cup Final

Match Result: 4 - 0

Such a shame!! This was a fantastic day - the weather was brilliant, we all enjoyed the coach trip; the facilities and organisation at Basingstoke were first class and everything looked set for a great game. We confirmed on the day that Ollie G could not play so we had a squad of 12. We started with Max - his first game since the injury he sustained against Ringwood on 14th March - and unfortunately he pulled up after his first tackle early on. From that point we were on the back foot. Salisbury played with a strong back four who knocked long balls up to two quick strikers. I can't really say a lot else. We didn't compete as we know we can, we pulled out of tackles and really let Salisbury boss the whole game. I can't remember us ever having not scored in a game and to be honest we only created a couple of chances which is so unlike us.

Salisbury were deserved winners but for the second cup final we come away feeling we have not performed.

Still back in the coach it was soon forgotten and it was great to see so many in the Avon Causeway for a couple of hours late afternoon.

Chairman's view: The players did the Club proud, I know everybody is disappointed with the result, but the team should be extremely proud at what they have achieved
this season, it was a privilege to watch the match and the spirit of the team shone through despite having to overcome many difficulties, this will make the team stronger for next season and another crack at the age group final. There is still the league to play for and the chance to crown a superb season with some silverware is up for grabs.

Christchurch v Highcliffe Hawks

Match Result: 8 - 2

Goal Scorers: Olly B (4), Harry C (2), Oliver D, Olivia

This was the reverse of the fixture on 18th October when we beat them 7 - 2 after having gone a goal behind. Today was a very similar game. We conceded first but then were leading by half time (3 - 1) today; the game was marked with strong tackles; us relying on Declan to come out of his box on numerous occasions to clear the ball; and ultimately a score line that flatters us.

Highcliffe have two very fast strikers and play the ball through defences and they run on. We started the game pushing too far forward and conceded in this way early. Harry equalised with a fantastic free kick and before half time Olly Balmer scored two. The kick off was barely two minutes old by the time Highcliffe scored again and we added a 4th and then Oliver added a 5th. Livs scored our 6th midway through the half but credit to Highcliffe who never gave up. They had a goal rued out for offside before Harry and Olly Balmer scored again.

This was a big win; we are still without Max; Highcliffe had beaten Canon (victors themselves over Kingswood twice recently) 5 nil a week ago; and important to go into the Hants Cup Final after a win.

Corfe Mullen v Christchurch

Match Result: 0 - 4

Goal Scorers: Harry C, Brandon, Oliver D (2)

It says a lot about the season we have had that this was only our 14th league game leaving us 10 more to play, whereas it was Corfe Mullen's 23rd and penultimate fixture. This was a very important game for us. We have not played well for a few weeks and were coming off the back of two defeats. We were still without Max (injured) and without Olly B up front (holiday.) The win was all important but at the same time we (coaches etc) were determined we should put in a good performance and overall I think we did. Again there was a strong wind and the pitch was pot-holed so passing would be difficult. We were solid the whole game and never at any stage looked like conceding. We created numerous chances and with better finishing the scoreline would (and should) have been greater. I think we passed as well as we could have in the conditions and hopefully this sets us up nicely for our game against Bransgore on Tuesday. Special mention to Brandon who playing in an unfamiliar right midfield position scored his first goal for the team and also to Oliver D who when on a hat trick squared the ball for Harry to score rather than try for goal himself.

Greenfields v Christchurch

Match Result: 4 - 3

Goal Scorers: Olly B (2), Oliver D

This was always going to be a tricky game coming off the back of the defeat in the Bournemouth Cup Final and also given Greenfields had inflicted our only other defeat this season - it was also our first evening game since the clocks changed. I arrived 5 minutes late just in time to see us concede a second goal. We were playing against a very strong wind and it was all we could do to get the ball out of our penalty area let alone into Greenfields' half. We conceded a third before half time but I was confident that with that wind in our favour we would still get back. Instead we conceded a 4th very early in the second. We moved players around a bit and for about 15 minutes we played like we can; passing and moving and in that period scored three goals and looked the most likely winner. Ten minutes from the end a 'tackle' on Bubba - well the player stamped on his knee meant he had to come off with blood pouring from the stud mark - unfortunately the ref missed the whole thing and the injustice seemed the throw our play and despite several chances we never got the deserved 4th. No sour grapes though - on the basis of our poor first half display a draw may have been more than we should have expected.

Bransgore v Christchurch

Match Result: 0 - 9

Goal scorers: Harry C (3), Oliver D (2), Nathaniel (2), Ethan, Jordi

Wow what a performance; we were back to our best. We started with a familiar back four (well as it could be with Max still out) so Brandon was back to right back, Jeremy right midfield and Oliver D and Jordi up front. The first 5 minutes were uneventful but we then scored three in the next five. Harry started the scoring, Oliver D added the second after a great free kick from Tom and Bubba headed a third. Harry scored a fantastic free kick on 15 minutes and in the next ten minutes Oliver D, Ethan after a marauding run from Jeremy, and Bubba made it seven at half time. We were unstoppable but make no mistake; Bransgoore are no mugs and Brandon and Tom had to be back to their best to keep their left-sided attacker and midfield player at bay.

Being overly critical we were caught offside numerous times in the second half and were it not for that we could have had double-figures early on. But being fair Bransgore never gave up and created several chances and but for a bit of better luck and better finishing could have scored three or four themselves. The two goals in the second half were a great finish from Jordi and Harry heading in for his hat trick.

Still well done everyone. A performance we all needed. And far more importantly it was really pleasing to see so many of our team with smiles on their face as they played.