Christchurch v Corfe Mullen

Match Result: 2 - 1

Goal Scorers: Lewis, Callum

After a good result last week we were looking for another decent performance against a team that were only a few places above us. Due to holidays and unavailability we were down to the bear minimum 11 players meaning players having to adopt to new positions.

The game started well with the lads knocking the ball around well. After 5 minutes Lewis broke down the right wing, cut inside to the box and drove a well struck shot that clipped the crossbar. Although Corfe Mullen made some counter attacks there were no real threats on our goal and we looked the side more likely to score. Callum and Brad were linking up well down the right hand side where we saw several good balls into the box delivered but to no avail. After 20 minutes a through ball broke to Lewis who managed to break free inside the 18yd box. Although Lewis could have taken the ball on he struck his shot early which their keeper looked to have covered. Unfortunately for him the ball fumbled in his hands and the ball crossed the line. A deserved lead and hopefully adding confidence to go on and score another.

However the lead was short lived and it was not long before an equaliser. On 23 minutes a counter attack by a Corfe Mullen midfielder caught our defence on a high line and a well struck shot from the edge of the box went high into the back of the net giving our keeper no chance. Their two strikers had good pace and started to trouble our defenders. On 25 minutes another through ball beat our defenders and as their striker bared down on goal looking likely to score only to be denied by a great save by Finn with his outstretched right leg. From looking comfortable Corfe Mullen were finishing the half the better when the half time whistle went.

Half time: 1 – 1

Team talk with the lads at half time explained some tactical changes with Callum playing a little higher behind the front two, Stuart to hold more in midfield and for Marley (playing centre back) to sit a bit more in front of the back three.

Second half started and the boys applied themselves well with the advice given. Four minutes into the 2nd half a corner was won on the right. Callum took a short corner to Stuart who laid the ball back to Callum. From the corner of the 18 yard box Callum floated the ball on goal which lofted straight over the keeper and into the back of the net. For the next 15 minutes we had several opportunities. Sam, Lewis, Callum and Jonathan all had chances but couldn’t get that third goal to give us that breather. The Corfe Mullen strike pair especially Mark (bandanna man) still gave our defence plenty of work to do with their pace but Marley played his part well in clearing up the loose balls. With 5 minutes to go Mark used his pace from the half way line to ghost past Jack C and then past Jack J to approach the corner of the 18yd box. Marley swept across to try and make a tackle but Mark unleashed his shot which went straight at Finn who held well. We started to panic a bit as the full time whistle approached especially in defence where the basics of clearing the ball when needed were forgotten. Instead we started to try and dribble with it and got caught in possession several times. With a minute to go we won a corner on the left hand side which Sam lofted in. The ball got cleared, only to fall to Marley who struck it very well from the edge of the 18 yard D. It looked like it would be our third goal but the keeper just managed to palm the shot into the air and caught the ball on the line. Full time whistle and our second win in a row !!!

Full time score : 2 – 1

Another confidence booster and a step in the right direction lads. Keep it up.

Man of the match: Callum Smyth