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