Corfe Mullen v Christchurch

Match Result: 3 - 2

Goal Scorers: Ben Wikeley, Oliver Davis


Wish I understood football!!

We went into this game knowing two wins from our last three games would
secure the league but equally with a bit of pressure as our last game is
against Greenfields and we would prefer not to need anything out of that
game.

It was very windy but that's the same for both sides so we take nothing
away from Corfe Mullen who deserved the win.

We played well enough in patches but we're just not taking our chances.
Corfe created one chance in the first half when Yannis broke free and
lobbed Dec. We probably created 5 or 6 chances but our equaliser was a
scrappy affair finished by Ben.

So one all at half time but rather than build from there we conceded two
more from Yannis; the second went straight in from a corner. The rest
of the half we dominated territorially without creating many clear
chances. Oliver scored our second two minutes from the end but it was
all too late.

So we now go into the Branksome game Sunday having to win.

Christchurch v Kingswood

Match Result: 1 - 2

Goal Scorer: Drew Smith


A game between fierce rivals but played in a good atmosphere. Overall I felt we deserved the draw but we have to take our chances !

Zeddy scored (yet again) against us to put them ahead but this was after we had missed a penalty. We decided to go for it and (brave or stupid!) played three at the back. We equalised (belter by Drew) and in hindsight we should have gone back to 4 4 2 and settled for a point. We kept looking for the winner and conceded late.

The game will be marred by George breaking his wrist right at the end.

Christchurch v Poole Town

Match Result: 2 - 3

Goal Scorers: Oliver Davis, Harry Chapman


Coming straight after the Cup Final on Sunday this was always going to be a tough one. Unfortunately we allowed Poole to seize the initiative and Adam scored to put them ahead in ten minutes. 5 minutes later Oliver David equalised but on the stroke of half time they scored to put them in a half time lead.

The second half was equally tense and they added a third in the first couple of minutes. Midway through we finally got it together and played the best football of the game; Harry scored our second and we pushed and pushed but just couldn't find a third.

BYFL Cup Final - Under 12's

Christchurch v Poole Town

Match Result: 2 - 0

Good to win a cup having lost two finals last season and a semi this. We were down to 12 with Connor having left, Charlie cup tied and Philip ineligible.

The lack of rain has turned the pitches very hard and bobbly and this seems to have affected the quality of our play in the last three weeks; its the same for both teams we had been playing some lovely flowing football. As a result the first half was a very tense affair with both sides creating few chances. The half turned in the space of a couple of minutes when Declan dived low and held onto a shot from Jean-Nicol and then up the other end a shot from Olly took a wicked deflection and gave Jacob in their goal no chance. So one nil to us at half time. The pushed Adam further forward in the second and whilst that meant he was a constant threat it gave our midfield and attack more time and possession; as a result we settled and played much better. Just after half the way through the half Drew hit a long range shot which seemed to go through defenders leaving their 'keeper helpless.

That was pretty much game over. Poole Town are a good team and were a constant threat; they had won the Dorset Cup last week.

Well done everyone of our players.

We now look forward to Poole Town again on Thursday night - this time in the league - and then Kingswood Sunday.

Goal scorers;
Olly Balmer
Drew Smith

Bransgore v Christchurch

Match Result: 1 - 6

Goal Scorers: Olly Balmer (3), Drew Smith, Oliver Davis, Ethan Maddocks

We were a bit nervous going into this match given it was coming off the back of our first defeat and despite Bransgore's lowly league position they had given us a tough game earlier in the year; had beaten Kingswood twice and drawn with Poole Town.

We started very slowly and had Bransgore taken their chances they could easily have been 3 or 4 up in the first ten minutes and we could have had no complaints. After 6 minutes Liam who was oustanding all game hit a long shot which went over Dec so we were one nil down. Unlike last week though we were battling without playing well. Two minutes later it was one all thanks to Olly and that settled us a bit. We didn't look comfortable at the back but up front Olly hit the bar after ten minutes, Philip nearly scored with his first touch coming on a couple of minutes later; and in the 5 minutes before half time Harry hit the bar and Ethan the post.

After a chat at half time things improved but for the first ten minutes of the second half we missed chance after chance. Eventually Olly scored our second and then goals followed at equal intervals for the rest of the half and Dec had very little to do. So 6 - 1 win and very pleased but we can't afford to start like that next week in the BYFL Final against Poole Town.

Hampshire Cup Semi-final

Vic's Youth v Christchurch

Match Result: 2 - 1

Goal Scorer: Ethan

We had a lovely day and got an early ferry across and all our
preparations seemed great. We kicked off; played the ball back where
one of their lightening quick strikers latched onto the ball and shot;
Declan parried but in the ensuing goal mouth scramble the ball crossed
the line. One nil down and less than a minute played. The Vic's
players' tails were up and they fought, scrapped and battled for every
ball which prevented us ever playing as we know we can. Twenty minutes
in we had a corner and the cross from Oliver Davis was met with an
emphatic header from Ethan; one all and that's how it stayed until half
time.

Second half saw us gain supremacy; we had the better chances but still
we never felt relaxed. With about 10 minutes to go we conceded a
free-kick 5 yards outside our penalty area, exactly the sort of
territory where Harry, Oliver or Ethan have scored time after time for
us. Unfortunately they had someone who could strike a ball too so 2 - 1
to them. At this point we created our best chances. We hit the bar and
a looping header from Oliver went wide by millimetres when we all
thought it was goal bound.

Fair play to Vics though. Their hospitality was first class and talking
to them afterwards they had watched us several times and knew if they
let us play we would win. Good luck to them in the final and we need to
bounce back quickly as we have the BYFL cup final on 27th quickly
followed by two games (the Tuesday and Sunday) against top teams. Those
three games may well define our season.

Christchurch v Boscombe Albion

Match Result: 9 - 0

Goal Scorers: Harry (2), Ethan (2), Olly, Oliver (3), Jeremy

A good win today and another clean sheet.

An excellent finish from Harry gave us a 3rd minute lead and Olly added a second shortly afterwards. During that period and until Harry added a third after about twenty minutes we struggled to get a smooth passing game going and Dec saw more action in goal than he has for several games. Ethan's long range free kick gave us a 4 nil lead at half time.

We brought Oliver on at half time and he scored a hat-trick inside 15 minutes; one of which was a volley from a corner in from Harry. Jeremy, who had played an excellent game up front, scored with a penalty and a header from Ethan gave us our 9th.

Hants cup semi-final next week on the IOW.

Kingswood v Christchurch

Match Result: 0 - 3

Goal Scorers: Charlie (2), George

A really good win in sometimes very difficult weather conditions.

This game was always going to have a bit of added spice given Kingswood have two of our ex-players and we have three of theirs. We had a good first have where we threatened loads but continually shot over the bar. 20 minutes into the half a really heavy downpour and hailstones made the pitch treacherous. So nil nil at half time and we had been playing with the wind behind us.

We changed things about at half time and put Charlie up front and he duly repaid us with two goals; the first a header from a corner after Drew's original header came off the bar and the second a rasping shot which went in from the inside of the bar. In between times George had scored our second with a shot outside the bar.

Really pleased with a clean sheet; Our defence coped well with their striker with frightening pace and Dec made an important save at Owen's feet when it was still nil nil.

Ringwood Town v Christchurch

Match Result: 0 - 6

Goal Scorers: George, Oliver, Harry, Olly (3)

This was the first time we'd played Ringwood at this venue and the pitch was in very good condition. We started really well and George lobbed their 'keeper insde 2 minutes to put us ahead. Both teams played some nice football for the next 20 minutes or so but Oliver and then Harry finishing a good move scored in the last 5 minutes of the half.

We scored once again in the first two mintes of the second half - this time Olly converted a penalty and he went on to complete a hat-trick inside 15 minutes. The last 15 minutes were pretty low key so the game finished 6 - 0.

Hampshire Cup quarter final

Christchurch v Hedge End

Match Result: 5 - 2

A huge win for us takes us into the semi-final. - and against a team who had taught us a good football lesson in our only pre-season friendly!!

It was a filthy day and thanks to John Spalding who postponed league games to get this fixture played on a pitch which was in surprisingly good condition considering the rain all night and morning. Our boys were really up for it today. I was talking to the Hedge End manager before the match and said I think we didn't appreciate what a tremendous achievement getting to the final was last season whereas it almost means more this season.

We started really well and a fantastic run from Drew who unselfishly passed to Olly when he might have shot gave us an early lead against the wind. Hedge End are a good team, they have a strong midfield and attackers with frightening pace. One of their passes from midfield found their attacker running onto a ball that beat our defence but was not ahead enough to allow Dec to get out to smother. Their forward took it well. It was a day when whichever midfield won their battle would probably win the game; for us Drew and Ethan were awesome. They won every ball they could over and over despite perhaps harshly being adjudged to be fouling on numerous occasions. That, plus the very high line Hedge End played which continually caught us offside made things frustrating but we have matured since last season and we channelled that frustration rather than lose our tempers completely.

I was very taken over with the event and given the conditions I couldn't make notes but I'm sure Harry scored the two before half time with some sublime finishing so we took a 3 - 1 lead into the break.

Again the second half was an even battle but we managed to score two more; Olly from another unselfish pass, this time from Oliver and Harry got a well deserved hat trick with 15 minutes left. We swapped it around a bit and lost some initiative. They scored their second and claimed a third but the ref was adamant the ball had not crossed the line.

So well done everyone - all the players and too the parents for enduring the conditions. It was great to see Ollie G on his birthday, Bub, and Sue and Dave even though it was an appointed ref.

Goal scorers
Olly Balmer 2
Harry Chapman 3

Christchurch v Moordown

Match Result: 15 - 0

I wasn't at the game but imagine it followed pretty much the same format
as the similar result in the cup. A very important win though and good
to see Max and Drew who both carried leg injuries playing some part and
so look OK for the Hants cup quarter final next week.

Goal scorers:

Ethan Maddocks
Olly Balmer 7
Brandon Kotkowski
Harry Chapman 3
Drew Smith
Oliver Davis 2

BYFL League Cup Semi Final

Corfe Mullen v Christchurch

Match Result: 0 - 6

Another good win and clean sheet see us through to the final.

There had been a hard frost overnight so the pitch was hard and bumpy and that, combined with a swirly wind and bright low winter sun made for testing playing conditions. We were without Charlie (cup tied) and then Max twisted his knee in the warm up. Despite that though we played very well and desrvedly led 1 nil at half time thanks to Olly. The second half (plaing with the wind) was much better and our dominance began to tell. Drew scored our second in the second minute but we had to wait a further fifteen minutes before Ethan scored our third and we could relax. Eight minutes from the end Harry scored a trademark free kick from distance and in the last couple of minutes Ethan and Tom made it six and we hit the bar and Jeremy forced their 'keeper into an amazing save.

Well done to everyone but special mention to the defenders in difficult conditions. Poole Town beat Greenfields one nil in the other semi so its a repeat of the Dorset Cup final a couple of years ago.

Goal scorers
Olly Balmer
Drew Smith
Ethan Maddocks 2
Harry Chapman
Tom Cole

Hampshire Cup Round 5

Branksome v Christchurch

Match Result: 1 - 7

Goal Scorers: Harry Chapman, Drew Smith, Charlie Daniel (2), Connor Lopez, Olly Balmer, Oliver Davis

The score line would suggest this was a game of two halves; it was one all at half time, but that belies the truth. We started well and always looked the more likely to score but missed all the chances we created. Their very vocal parents engendered a kick and rush panic mentality which is a shame because their players are better than that.

Midway through the half a long ball from them meant Dec had to come rushing out of the area to clear but unfortunately his scuffed kick fell to one of their players who slotted home in an unprotected goal. We didn't panic though; we kept doing the same things and got a penalty 5 minutes later. Oliver hit the post and then missed the rebound and we began to wonder if it would be one of those days. Fair play to our boys though they show character and Harry scored just before half time.

We brought Charlie on at half time and he livened things up up front. Within two minutes we had a goal ruled out for offside but two minutes later Drew scored. Their players' heads fell and Charlie added two and then Connor, Olly and Oliver completed the scoring.

So it wasn't so much a game of two halves; more a case that we scored our chances in the second half but missed them in the first. And that was the first goal we have conceded since the 21st November against Corfe Mullen.

Christchurch v Ringwood Town

Match Result: 2 - 0

Goal Scorer: Harry Chapman (2)


Our tenth league game and tenth win leaves us 9 points clear in the league but conceals a very frustrating, hard-fought win today in which we bore more resemblance to the team that started the season than our performances before Christmas. We never settled well, were normally second to the ball and when we did have the ball we panicked and never passed smooothly.

Its a credit to the boys though that despite that we still won and kept a clean sheet.

Harry scored a lovely shot from distance in the 24th minute and added our second midway through the second half.

We'll take the points and look forward. Well done to Ringwood though - they battled well and probably deserved more from the game.

Branksome v Christchurch

Match Result: 0 - 6

Goal Scorers: George Holt, Drew Smith, Ethan Maddocks, Oliver Davis, Thomas Cole, Harry Chapman


I wasn't there but by all accounts this was a game of two halves; the first we squandered numerous chances whereas in the second we took our chances.

It was 0 - 0 at half time but in the second goals from 6 different scorers gave us a deserved victory.

Hampshire Cup - Round Four

Crookham Rovers v Christchurch

Match Result: 0 - 2

Goal Scorers: Olly Balmer, Harry Chapman

Some games you have to accept you grind out an ugly win and go home content with three points (or in this case) progression to the next round of the cup. This was one such occasion. We had been playing our best football of the season and so the premature postponement of last week's game was potentailly not helpful.

We started off asleep and didn't seem to realise that playing on a very uneven surface would not lend itself to passing the ball out of defence. Time and time again in the first couple of minutes a mis-kick or mis-placed pass invited pressure onto oursleves. It was some relief then that with after 4 minutes we scored with our first attack when Olly tucked home. We still didn't learn though. We kept putting each other under pressure with passes hit too short etc. In the 17th minute another attack resulted in Harry lobbing their 'keeper and we hoped that we might go on from here.

We didn't. The game got more and more heated. Their parents were very vocal, their coaches screamed at the young Hants FA appointed ref and we tried to play football.

Overall we should celebrate our win; clean sheet and growing maturity for not reacting to (i) some opposition players who constantly apppealed to the ref, (ii) their parents shouting.

BYFL Cup Quarter Final

Christchurch v Moordown

Match Result: 16 - 0

Goal Scorers: Olly Balmer (7), Drew Smith (2), Oliver Davis (3), Thomas Cole, Max George, Ethan Maddocks, Jeremy James

We had beaten Moordown 5 - 3 in the league on the 19th September and I'm
sure my match report at the time made it clear how poorly we were
playing at the time. The performance today shows how far we have come
in the past three months. You can't watch a game like this without
feeling something for the opposition but the team spirit our team are
showing now is so good to witness.

In terms of the match itself Olly scored in the 3rd minute and we scored
steadily from that point so it was 7 at half time. Drew scored in the
2nd minute of the 2nd half and so we continued. We swapped players
around to give others a chance; Tom scored a header against his mates,
Max scored his first of the season (and a cracker too) and Jeremy scored
his first for the team. That just left Dec but unfortunately his
penalty was saved.

Well done to everyone; this was a good performance, it could easily have
degenerated but we were controlled and played a good passing game
throughout. The semi-finals are drawn on Thursday. As well as us Poole
Town, Greenfields and Corfe Mullen are in the hat.

Christchurch v Corfe Mullen

Match Result: 6 - 1

Goal Scorers: Charlie D (2), Oliver D, Drew, Harry, Ethan


Another impressive win made very special by two goals on his debut by Charlie. I wasn't at the game but he scored the first and then our 4th just after half time. Oliver and Drew had made it a 3 1 lead at hallf time and Harry and Ethan scored after Charlie's second to make it 6 in all. That gives us 8 wins out of 8 in the league. Poole Town beat Kingswood today so that puts them second. Quater final of BYFL Cup at home to Moordown next week.

Hampshire Cup Round 3

Christchurch v Denmead

Match Result: 10 - 1

Goal Scorers: Drew (2), Thomas, Harry C (2), Olly B, Ethan, Connor (2), Oliver D

This was the worst weather conditions we've played in for a long time
and the game would most likely have been postponed had we still been
playing at Iford Lane. Denmead had come from Portsmouth-way and seemed
a friendly bunch of players and officials.

We started off well and early goals from Drew and then the first of the
season from Tom put us two nil up. At this stage we probably lost our
discipline and everyone piled forward for goals. We were 5 nil up at
half time but not playing well.

A good talking to from Steve at half time resulted in a far better
second half performance. Connor added our 6th but then a slip at the
back meant we conceded. We came back strongly though and scored 4 more
goals.

Well done everyone - on to the next round.

Highcliffe Hawks v Christchurch

Match Result: 2 - 5

Goal Scorers: Olly B (2), Ethan, Drew


A really important win today. Highcliffe are a good side and there had been too much talk about their two previous home games.

We played very well throughout and led 4 nil at half time with two good headers from Olly as well as a gaol each from Ethan and Drew.

We conceded two in the second half but Drew added his second and our 5th to calm us down.

Well done everyone!!

BYFL Cup - Round Two

Christchurch v Broadstone

Match Result: 11 - 0

Goal Scorers: Olly B (5), Drew (3), George, Oliver D, Ethan

With all due respect to Broadstone this was always going to be an antclimax following our wins over Greenfields and Poole Town in the last two games.

Broadstone are re-building having been relegated last season; they have a large squad and a management team determined to play good football but they are struggling second from bottom of their division.

We played well today; good passing and created chance after chance. Oliver D started the scoring after 7 mins and Drew added a second two minutes later. For the next 15 minutes we must have missed 5 or 6 more chances before George (3rd week running) and Drew added two more ta make it 4 nil at half time.

Second half was more of the same and very pleasing to see Olly B scoring. We scored 7 with Olly bagging 5; Drew (making his hattrick) and Ethan the last.

Really good to see Dave (and Sue) on the touchline and hopefully Dave will be back reffing soon; thanks to Jason for reffing today.

Poole Town v Christchurch

Match Result: 2 - 3

Goal Scorers: Harry, Oliver D, George


This was going to be another tough game. Poole Town hard started the season on fire and had been free-scoring. For example last week they had beaten Bransgore 10 - 1 whilst we had struggled to a 5 - 3 win over the same opposition a couple of weeks previous.

I wasn't at the game but it sounds like we started really well ourselves and having scored his first goal for us last week George scored again and put us in the lead. We then went into a three nil lead at half time with Harry (pen) and Oliver D also scoring.

We were as impressive in the second half apart from a couple of minutes during which Poole scored twice. The last ten minutes were tense especially in the last minute when Adam had a one on one with Dec but Dec smothered the ball at Adam's feet.

So a three two victory - and if that wasn't enought we heard Bransgore had beaten Kingswood 2 - 1 meaning we are the only team with 100% record and top of the league - we're never top before Christmas. All could change though. We now have two consecutive cup games.

Greenfields v Christchurch

Match Result: 1 - 4

Goal Scorers: Harry C, Olly B, Oliver D, George


Its days like this that make it all worthwhile!!!

Greenfields had done the double on us last season and I think Steve, Phil and I were more nervous than the boys. That coupled with the fact we were allocated the same changing room and pitch as we'd had for our Bournemouth Cup Final defeat last season made us pretty edgy.

Unusually for us we started well and dominated possession; passed well and created numerous chances. Mid way through the half a goal kick from their keeper fell to Harry who hit the post from long range. Greenfields were playing some good football but our back four were outstanding and played a good line which left their best chances falling to players who were offside. It was very harsh on us that they scored with a good shot that curled round Dec. Credit to our boys though who didn't give up.

Second half was our best performance this season. We were first to every ball. George and Ethan won everything in the centre of midfield and that helped us dominate territory totally. And the goals started coming. Harry scored a goal reminiscent of one of the free kicks Josh had scored against us in the ill-fated cup final. Oliver added a second and Olly Balmer a third. We thought that was about it but for some reason the ref played about 6 minutes over during which he rather harshly awarded a couple of free kicks. Dec and our defence (especially a header off the line from Max) held firm though and there was enough time for the biggest cheer of the day - George scored!!! He's been close so many times. That capped an outstanding performance from all three 'new boys' Ben, Drew and George. Tom was back to his best at centre back.

A special mention to Bub. He came along to watch after his first game for Portsmouth since they signed him. So we all got to say a proper goodbye as well as sing Happy Birthday. It won't seem the same without you Bub and you deserve every success mate.

Sky Blues v Christchurch

Hampshire Cup Round 2

Match Result: 3 - 13

Goal Scorers: Brandon (3), Ethan (3), Olly B (3), Ollie D (2), Harry C (2)


We started off the weekend thinking we had all 14 players available for the first time this season but a couple of injuries on Saturday and then one Sunday morning left us with the bare 11 on an unseasonably hot day.

I wasn't at the game but it sounds like we were determined to make a good impression in our first Hants Cup game following the final last year.

We were 7 nil up at half time and very convincing winners overall.

The result is put in perspective though with news after the game that Olivia's Dad (Dave) and our ref had a heart attack just before Olivia's game yesterday. Our thoughts are very much with Sue, Livs and the boys at this time.

Christchurch v Bransgore

Match Result: 5 - 3

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


This team was the merged teams of Bransgore and New Milton Robbins from
last season and as well as having some very good players they had added
Josh who had played the last three or four games for us last season.
They had also come off the back of a draw with the high-scoring Poole
Town so we were not underestimating them. We played a solid back four
of Brandon, Tom, Max and Drew with Ben just in front in the hope of
keeping only our second clean sheet of the season but within 2 minutes a
slick pass from midfield exposed our defence and Liam was through on Dec
and scored.

It was a bit of a scrappy affair from then on in. A couple of minutes
later their keeper got injured so there was a break in play whilst
another ex-player of ours (Eddie) went in goal. A few minutes later in
attempting to kick the ball a Bransgore player kicked Drew full between
his legs so he had to sit out the rest of the game. And this was
followed up with several bouts of pin ball in their penalty area when we
had numerous close range shots which deflected off players and the post
until Oliver Davis hit a pile driver which Eddie saved between his legs!
Amongst all this Olly Balmer equalised for us.

So we reached half time one all in goals and us with one incapacitated
players and them with two. We're normally stronger second half we
thought but yet again we conceded despite dominating early. That seemed
to galvanise us and after several chances from a corner the ball broke
to Ben at the edge of the box who thundered home the equaliser. We then
hit our best patch of the game and Olly scored his second after a great
ball from Oliver Davis, Oliver added our fourth and then a fantastic
solo run and shot from Harry made it 5. To be fair Bransgore never gave
up and got a third back and but for Liam hitting the post could have
added a fourth.

Lots of positives to take out of this one (good performance, good
attitude from players, no arguing with each other or ref...) so well
done everyone and thanks to Mark - everyone loves their jackets!

BYFL Cup 1st Round

Christchurch v Bournemouth Electric

Match Result: 6 - 4 (aet)


Bournemouth Electric had been relegated last season but having won 4 out of 4 games this season scoring 39 goals we were not underestimating them. The wind played quite a part in this game. In the first half it was to our advantage and we led 3 nil and then 4 - 1 at half time.

The second half was completely different and they got it back to 4 all and missed a penalty.

This was the first game Bubba had played for us this season and his quality told when he scored two in extra time.

Goal scorers
Olly Balmer
Oliver Davis 2
Harry Chapman
Nathanial Tamlyn 2

Moordown v Christchurch

Match Result: 3 - 5

Goal Scorers: Harry Chapman, Olly Balmer (3), Oliver Davis


Moordown were promoted last season and a lot of our players know a lot of their players so we were conscious playground bragging rights were at stake here. Any likelihood of us underestimating them was wiped out in the first minute when their Sam outpaced our defence and ran in on Dec who saved his first shot but couldn't prevent the follow-up. No clean sheet today then! For the next ten minutes we created chance after chance but a combination of good goalkeeping and strong defending kept us out until Harry scored in the 12th minutes. We assumed that would be it and we'd go on and score 3 or 4 before halftime but instead they took the lead again in the 23rd minute when we didn't; clear from a corner and a game of pin ball led to the goal looping into our goal.

In the second half we created more chances and eventually after a ball Ben won in the middle of the pitch was sent forward to Olly who lobbed the keeper. This was closely followed by a second from Olly as we took the lead - at last!! Olly completed his hat trick with a header from the corner and at this stage we thought that would be that but the referee then gave a soft free kick which their player lobbed Dec to make it 4 - 3 and set up a potentially nervous 5 minutes had Oliver not scored a spectacular long range 5th.

We were pleased to have won a difficult match but we also know that it was made more difficult by some strange decisions being made on the pitch!

Christchurch v Highcliffe Hawks

Match Result: 3 - 0

Goal Scorers: Ethan (2), Brandon

Despite beating them 7 - 2 away and 8 - 2 at home last season the match
reports of those two games mentioned the fact how both scorelines
flattered us - and in both games we'd gone a goal behind. We were aware
of their pace and were also expecting a very physical game.

The first half was quite even. We had more possession; passed well and
created chances which we didn't take but they probably created the best
two chances of the half.

Second half we started much better and Ethan headed an early corner
which the 'keeper parried and Ethan was first to react and stab the ball
home. Having gone years not scoring from corners all of a sudden we've
developed the habit. Ten minutes later a header direct from a corner
again from Ethan went straight in.

At this point the game was won and 5 minutes before the end Brandon
headed in from a cross by Oliver Davis.

Although not the goal-fest of last season we were very pleased with the
clean sheet!

Boscombe Albion v Christchurch

Match Result: 1 - 5

Goal Scorers: Oliver Davis (2), Brandon Kotkowski (2), Olly Balmer

This was a midweek game against newly promoted Boscombe. I wasn't at
the match but the consensus view seems to be we had a poor first ten
minutes but then improved and played better than we had on Sunday. We
were three nil up at half time and went on to be 5 - 1 winners.
Everyone said how well Brandon played in right midfield.

Christchurch v Bournemouth Sports

Match Result: 4 - 2

Goal Scorers: Oliver Davis, Harry Chapman, Drew Smith, Ethan Maddocks


The first game of a new season and we were right to be expecting a tough game against the ex Canon Colts side who we'd played twice in the last few weeks of last season. This was also our first 'home' game at Chapel Gate which is also the home venue of Bournemouth Sports.

After a real wake-up call in our only pre-season friendly on Wednesday we started reasonably well. Rain in the morning and right up to kick off had made the surface very slippery but we tried to pass and it was really our defence who struggled with balls skidding off the wet surface. We created chances and had several corners. About 20 minutes in and a goal kick from Dec fell straight to an opposition player who passed to a free player who scored. One nil down and the pressure on.

We continued to pile forward but we always seemed second to the ball. Then literally seconds before half time Oliver Davis hit one of his specials and that was one all.

We played much, much better in the second half. Suddenly we were first to the ball. George and Ethan began to control the middle we scored three goals in the first 15 minutes; first Harry, then a great solo run and shot from Drew and finally a header from a corner (yes - we have actually scored a goal from a corner) from Ethan.

Bournemouth added a consolation goal towards the end but we were the only winners by then.

It would be very easy to be critical, especially of our first half performance, but Bournemouth Sports won't lose many games this season and come the end of the season I think we'll look back on this as a big win!

Ringwood Rangers v Christchurch

Match Result: 1 - 0

The Christchurch supporters were warned by the referee at the start of the game. Any nonsense and they would be sent back to their cars and there the tone of the game was set!!!
Christchurch made a good start to the game with Miles and Callum combining well in the first minute. The play swung to the opposition and this required some sound defending by Jack C and Sam. However, in the 8th minute, Ringwood had a corner, from which they scored.
Good attacking moves from Miles and Callum led to an excellent shot by Sam, who hit the bar, with his right foot! Christchurch upped their game again and Brad and Dan joined in the attack.
Ringwood gained possession and hit the post in the 15th minute. A corner led to a good catch by Finn and Dan shielded the ball well and headed away. During this spell both Jonathan and Jack defended well as a corner and free kick were blocked. Brad, Sam and Lewis then worked the ball up the left side and relieved some pressure but Ringwood gained the ball once more, resulting in two more corners. Sam got the ball and passed through to Lewis whose shot went wide. Ringwood had one more corner right on half time which Sam managed to clear.
A difficult half for Finn and the defence as it was very windy, we also did not get many decisions go our way!!
Right at the start of the second half Ringwood attacked and Finn made a good save. Jack J made some sound tackles and then Charlie and Callum worked together and managed to get a corner. Christchurch had a better spell and Sam had a corner, Brad and Callum linked together passing to Miles and Phil. Sam and Callum worked the ball up the line and this resulted in a corner. Sam crossed and it was well defended and Christchurch just could not get the ball in the net. Phil continued to work hard in the midfield and Jack J showed great commitment in his tackles.
Jonathan came on for Lewis and immediately joined in the attack leading to a free kick. Sam took and narrowly missed the top left hand corner. Jack C defended well and Dan joined in to take long throws into the box. The second half was all Christchurch but they just could not score and Finn had nothing to do!
A fair result would have been a draw.

Man of the Match was Phil who had worked tirelessly in the midfield.

Branksome v Christchurch

Match Result: 5 - 2

Goal Scorer: Lewis (2)

Christchurch once again got off to a slow start, conceding two early goals. Christchurch came back into the game, with a free kick in our own half, Callum coming close, before Lewis latched onto a fumble by the Keeper and slotted home. Christchurch pressed winning a corner & several throws deep into the Branksome half before a through ball found Lewis who nutmeg the oncoming Keeper to equalize at the stroke of half time.

Branksome started the second half brightly, winning an early corner and went close soon after. Lewis went in close before Branksome won 2 more corners. Jonathan linked well with Jack and sent the ball to Callum on the wing as Christchurch started to press forward. Jack again sent Callum through and crossed but there was no one in the centre, Branksome broke from the left and scored to make it 3-2. Finn then produced a great strong handed save as Branksome broke, the ball went out for a corner. The play then went from end to end, with Lewis going close latching onto a through ball. Branksome then won a soft free kick just outside the box and scored making it 4-2. Christchurch won a corner, as a free kick was turned away but Sam’s shot was cleared off the line. Branksome broke on the right and scored to make it 5-2. Jack then shot over after a throw in and Callum’s cross went out for a goal kick. Christchurch won another corner though Jack again blasted over the bar. Marley had a chance from distance, but went wide. Christchurch pressed hard into the closing minutes winning yet another corner. The final whistle went at 5-2.

A strong performance by all, though the score line didn’t justify the performance. A draw would have honestly reflected the match.

Man of the match: Lewis

Ringwood Rangers v Christchurch

Match Result: 1 - 0

Match report to follow

Christchurch v Highcliffe Hawks

Match Result: 5 - 4

Goal Scorers: Bradley, Sam (2), Callum (2)

Highcliffe Hawks have always proven to be a tough opponent, beating us twice last season, 3-2 & 5-1.

We got off to a good start, passing well. A ball from midfield found Lewis in the box attacking the left post. The Keeper parried away Lewis’ shot, but Callum was close on hand and buried the ball in the bottom right corner. Christchurch continued to lead the game, clearing well from the back, winning balls in midfield, gaining ground down the wings and threatening upfront. After 15 minutes played, Sam put us 2-0 up when he converted a cross from Miles on the right with a sweetly met header. A few minutes later he scored an almost identical goal supplied by Callum. Having dominated the game so far, I started to rotate subs, putting Stu into central-mid and Jack J into defense. Just before half time Highcliffe scored, as our back line got caught in possession, to put the half time score at 3-1.

At half time I made a few more substitutions, pushing Brad upfront with Callum, taking Jonathan and Lewis off for a spell. About 5 mins in Sam and Stu broke down the left wing, Stu crossed a ball in across the front of the middle of the box, which Brad managed to turn in beating his marker to the header, lobbing the Goalie. 4-1. I continued to substitute, taking off Paul, Callum and Marley in turn, hoping to rotate all players, but we started to loose the fluidity we had in mid-field in the first 20 minutes of the match and Highcliffe took advantage, beating the back line, then a hesitation from Finn led to Highcliffe scoring a second, closely followed by a third. At half time, with our initial lead and momentum I thought I could substitute and re-position key players to give everyone an equal run-out, but it quickly back-fired as Highcliffe scored an equalizer, their third in about 10 minutes. Both teams were now battling for a winner, but Highcliffe looked as if they were going to steal the 3 points from us, thankfully a failed Highcliffe attack was foiled by our back line and a long ball was hit upfield, both Lewis & Callum chased it down, but the Goalie got to it first, but under the pressure from Lewis & Callum he spilled it, Callum dribbled around him and tucked it away, putting us 5-4 up. We then had to survive the last 8 minutes or so, I moved midfield back to play defensively leaving Lewis up as a sole striker. The final whistle came and another deserved win, a let off for me (Cheers Callum!!).

Moral of the story – if it’s working like a fine, don’t mess with it!!

Man of the Match – A long deserved, Miles