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

Cannon Colts v Christchurch

Match Result: 2 - 4

Goal Scorers: Samuel (2), Calum (2)

Unfortunately due to injury, holidays and other commitments we were only able to field 10 players for this fixture. We decided to play 4 at the back and 4 in midfield with Calum acting as the lone striker. The wide midfielders Sam and Miles were to push into the middle to compete for the ball, Bradley was to push up to support the attack and Philip had the holding midfield role. The matches against Cannon Colts are normally close with only the odd goal separating the teams. So we were expecting a tough match.

Christchurch started the match kicking down the slope and right from the start we looked threatening. Combative midfield play and some neat passing moves created early openings for Calum and Bradley. The defence were solid with Marley and Stuart denying the Cannon Colts attackers any real chances on goal. Jonathan made a significant contribution at left back winning 50-50 tackles and being first to the ball on numerous occasions. Mid way through the first half Cannon Colts took the lead against the run of play through a harsh penalty decision when Marley was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area, 1-0. We continued to have the upper hand with both Miles from the right and Sam from the left making penetrating runs and delivering crosses which we just failed to convert. We had Cannon Colts penned down unable to clear their lines for a 10 minutes spell towards the end of the half. From this pressure we scored twice; once through Calum after an through ball from Philip, 1-1 and from Sam who shot low and hard from the left after the ball had been worked across the penalty area from a break down the right, 1-2, a deserved lead at half time.

Half Time 1-2

Christchurch were kicking up the slope in the second half and initially the game was more even. With Dan and Jonathan being effective in defence and Finn making a good save from a long shot that was dipping in below the bar Cannon Colts continued to be frustrated in their attempts to get back in the game. Christchurch were now playing some of their best football of the season passing well, supporting each other and showing real commitment in the tackle. We were denied a goal when Sam meet across from Miles at the near post and was given offside. But it was not long before we got the goal that our general play merited, from a corner on the right that swept across the box to Sam who turned smartly and fired left footed into the roof of the net, 1-3. We now had a bit of a cushion and continued to look better team even though we only had 10 boys. Calum extended our lead by latching onto a fine through ball from Stuart beating the advancing goalkeeper with a well placed shot, 1-4. Cannon Colts got a goal back with 2 minutes ago after Marley had been injured making a last ditch tackle. A very satisfying win and without exception all the team played well and rose to challenge making it look like we had the extra man. WELL DONE LADS!!!

MoM - Jonathan

Christchurch v Kingswood

Match Result: 1 - 1

Goal Scorer: Stuart D

Having won one and lost one against Kingswood last season we knew we’d got a game on our hands. The game started strongly, with both teams playing hard for the ball, with equal possession. Only six minutes in though, Stu converted a cross from Sam with a volley on his weaker foot (right), as he hammered us into the lead. For the first 15 mins or so, the ball was played up the left wing with Johnny, Marley, Stu and Sam linking up well. About midway thru the first half, Kingswood equalized with a soft goal, as they broke through our defense and struck a timid shot to the right post. Unfortunately, Finn thought it was going wide and didn’t cover the post, as it went in to his surprise. We then seemed to be pinned down over on the back right for a few minutes, as Jack J and Paul battled hard to get the ball back upfield. Miles and Brad had their work cut out too, as Kingwood had a couple of strong opponents to compete with in their zone. A ball in from Miles from the right nearly saw Stu score a second, as he struck a ball from the right of the box over the keeper, but was denied by the far post. Callum was quick to swoop on the rebound, but struck it straight at the keeper.

The second half was more of the same, with both teams getting stuck in. Kingswood had a couple of strong, fast players. One of which broke through our back line on a few occasions, bearing down on the keeper. Marley’s pace meant that he caught up with the attacker, just into the box. Thankfully, the attacker was reluctant to shoot under pressure and opted to wait for assistance, but was robbed in the meantime by Marley and the rest of the defence. We seemed to have more luck down the right wing in the second half, winning a couple of free kicks about 25 yards out, but couldn’t convert the crosses. Callum and Jack C battled well upfront, with Callum posing a constant threat with his pace & strength, but unfortunately we couldn’t find the winner. A tough match, but Christchurch looked to have the edge. Another good
all-round performance.

Man of the match: Sam