Christchurch U15s v Dexter Sports U15s
Iford Lane
13th January 2008

A blustery day awaited both teams in this eagerly anticipated return match.
Both teams played out a hard fought 3-3 at Canford Park earlier in the season.

Christchurch came to this match on the back of a dismal performance against the local rivals Burton and all were determined to resume normal service.

The game started badly for Christchurch going 1-0 down after less than 5 minutes, the wind playing a major factor with Christchurch pressing into a swirling gale.
Within 10 Christchurch were 2-0 down, again the wind playing a significant factor.
Disappointing as the lads were really trying hard you could see it in their approach, shape and the way they were communicating with one another.
By 20 minutes Christchurch were staring in the eyes of a heavy defeat, 3-0.

Well here’s the twist. Ryan Johnson had his Ronaldo boots on. 2 fine strikes in the last 20 put the game back into contention.
Christchurch were not only back in the match but were growing in confidence by the time the half time whistle went.

The second half was eagerly awaited with Christchurch looking to take advantage of the wind at their backs.
With Christchurch camped in the Dexter half for the remainder of the game it was surely only a matter of time before the ball hit the net. However Dexter’s were not going to surrender their shallow lead without a fight and each boy fought resolutely is defence.
With less than 10 minutes of the game remaining. Ryan Johnson moved from the right to partner Sam Barnes in a 2 man attack force banged in his hat-trick goal and salvaged a well earned point for the boys in blue.
Christchurch continued to apply the pressure but the final whistle sounded before the killer blow could be landed.
3-3.

Great game and a great result for the Christchurch lads showing that they can bounce back from a poor showing and with commitment, maturity, discipline and great team play put in a character-forming display such as this.

To single out individuals for special plaudits would be wrong as it wouldn’t have been possible if every man had not done his job to the best of his ability.
Notice how I call them MEN. Today they came of age!



BS Grange, Chapel Gate 14:00 Sunday 20th so why not come along and witness what will no doubt be an absolute classic. If you enjoy football at Grass Roots level they don’t come much better than this.


Report by: Tris Chapman

A crystal clear day for this BYFL Cup Qtr final played at Iford Rec.

Christchurch started with a changed line up with 5 players resting and Skipper Callum Smith only just making the bench.
The game started competitively with both teams working hard but with no real edge. Christchurch just edged it however it was Albion that took the opener after a defensive error allowed their front man to calmly pass the ball past Zak to make it 1-0 to Boscombe after 15 minutes or so.

Immediately substitutions were made and the pace changed completely it only took 5 further minutes for Christchurch to level the game with a well placed strike by the substitute captain Sam Barnes.
Less than 5 minutes later and Christchurch had opened the lead that would soon see total domination over the team from Kings Park; Ryan Johnson (Rynaldo as he is known by the back room staff) placed his shot securely into the back of the Albion net. Christchurch maintained a solid tempo for the remainder of the first half however couldn't extend their lead.

The Second half and Christchurch continued from where they left off. Josh Chapman was brought on from the bench to open things up a little in the centre of the park and within a few minutes of the start Christchurch had extended their lead after a mix-up in the Albion goal area allowed Alex Burton to use his strength to manoeuvre the ball across the line to make it 4-1.

For any doubters that may have thought that Albion could still get back into this, their unrealistic optimism was quashed just a few minutes later when the ball fell to Josh Chapman Centre of pitch and 25 yrds from goal and the ball fizzed into the back of the Albion net. Chappers then made his brace with a volley from the edge of the box which hit the ground and deflected in for his second of the season. Christchurch finished off their scoring with an absolute peach of a goal from Jordan McAuliffe. 30 yrds out, he wrapped his foot around the ball only to see it arch over the midfield and neatly drop past the keeper into the empty goal behind. Christchurch obviously were feeling a little elated and took their foot of the gas allowing mistakes to creep in, only to see Boscombe Albion pull a goal back however it was all too late in the day and it is the name of Christchurch FC Youth U15s that will be pulled out of the hat for the semi-finals of the cup.

Final Score Christchurch FC Youth U15s 6 -2 Boscombe Albion U15s

Upper Clatford U15s 5 – 1 Christchurch FC Youth U15s

Christchurch were always going to up against it in this Hampshire Cup 3rd Round Tie against the strongest team in the Andover region.
Upper Clatford were last season’s winners of the Peter Houseman League and remain unbeaten so far this term.
A well organised team with a good touch and physical presence.

The game started off well for Christchurch taking an early lead against the run of play with a deft lob of the goal keeper from Sancho Loreto on about 10 minutes. Unfortunately this was to be a false dawn as the final score line proved. Upper Clatford struck back only 5 minutes later after an innocuous tackle just inside the box and the Ref decided to blow up and award the home team a penalty.

Upper Clatford had a number of chances to extend the lead however Christchurch defended with fortitude and managed to keep the scoreline sensible.
They eventually capitalised when Christchurch failed to clear the ball from the 18 yard box and they tucked away their second. Christchurch were denied a couple of clear opportunities to level the scoreline with some dubious decisions that would and should have equalled clear free kick chances just outside of the box.

The First half finished and Christchurch were very much in the game still with only a single goal separating the teams.
It took until that last 15 for Upper Clatford to extend their lead and this only came about after Christchurch had patched up and replaced most of the squad. The third took the last wind from the Christchurch lads and spurred on the tired legs of the Clatford lads to inflict further damage before the final whistle blew.

A good game played by two competitive teams however the gap in class showed on the day. On a positive note it shows with a little bit more determination the Christchurch lads could match one of the best teams in Hants.

Special praise for 4 players today, Brad Parnell and Max Wallace-Abbott for their sterling defensive work. Ryan Bailey for his full on commitment and versatile play on the right wing and Zak Sutcliffe making his debut in goal in the Hants Cup, some great saves and great clearances.


Report by: Tris Chapman

Iford Lane

As mention in the U8s match report, the lads could learn a thing or two about commitment and competitiveness from youngsters of Christchurch.
No discipline to keep their shape and no urgency to close down the opposition led to a 1-4 defeat in what should have been another 3 points in the bag and to see the team climb further up the league.

Positive point would be the emergence of midfield terrier Dan Simmonds who did what the Gaffer asked.
The rest will not be too surprised if not picked for the important Hampshire Cup game next week.
After this shock I’m expecting to see the lads shake it off and restart the chase for honours at the end of the season.
Also it just goes to show that the defensive qualities of Callum Smith and Dave Estridge, and the skilful play of Sam Barnes have been sorely missed, get better soon lads, the team needs you!!

Final Score: Christchurch U15s 1 – 4 Hordle Spurs

Christchurch FC Youth U15s v Boscombe Albion U15s 5th in div 3

The best thing about this match was the final score.
Christchurch fielded a strong squad today but failed to dominate allowing Boscombe Albion to use the poor pitch condition of the Kings Park pitch and an equally poor Match Ball as a leveller.

The boys tried but without much success to play football however it was evident within the first few minutes that this was going to be a struggle.

After a dour 10 minutes Christchurch finally managed to stop the ball from bobbling just long enough for Josh Blackmore to lift into the net from within the opposition box.

Through well taken high balls Sancho Loreto managed to nail his brace to take the break with a well deserved 3-0 game.
The referee was requested to change the ball at half time however the Albion Manager rejected the plea and the game kicked off for the second half. Too be frank there was not much to document regarding the second half that could be declared in anyway as a ‘highlight’ Christchurch owned the lions share of play but couldn’t control the ball long enough to increase the advantage.

Final Score: Boscombe Albion 0 – Christchurch 3
Venue: Kings Park (Dust Bowl)

Christchurch FC Youth U15s continued their current vein of form by finally putting Boscombe Albion to the sword after a game of 2 halves.

Christchurch did not lift themselves for this game and their blasé attitude was evident for all to see in the first half.

Christchurch found the spark which resulted in a goal for Alex B only for Boscombe Albion to strike back immediately from the kickoff. The old adage of teams being at their most dangerous directly after conceding a goal was obviously forgotten!

Christchurch although not playing the clean flowing football that they have recently produced still managed to take a 2 goal lead into the second half (4-2). A clean sheet and disciplined approach was requested for the second half. The lads failed to disappoint.

A much more disciplined performance followed and the team reformed into a cohesive unit. Scoring 2 further goals and taking the final whistle with a 6-2 victory.

Hard to pick a MOM the this game however I would like to give a verbal pat on the back to Zak Sutcliffe for undoubtedly his best game yet in the blue of Christchurch.

A special mention also to Alex ‘the maverick’ Burton for his brace…from a holding midfield player? (you figure it out!!!)

Report By: Tris Chapman

This was always going to be a tough game for Christchurch, facing the league leaders away from home and without a point in 2 games so far this season.


The game started of competitive for the first 7 minutes or so before Sancho placed a well struck 18 yarder beyond the reach of the Cannon Colts keeper.

This was the catalyst for Christchurch Youth to go on from strength to strength and with this a new star was born.

Creative midfield play and intelligent defensive play resulted in a further brace for Sancho before the half time whistle.

3 -0 at half time.

The half time team talk was straight forward enough ‘keep playing your game and ensure you keep a clean sheet in the second half’

The Christchurch lads went out in the second half with thoughts of one thing only.. scoring goals. This resulted in abandoned tactics moving from the planned 4-5-1 to a maverick 4-3-3 formation. This allowed Cannon Colts time to play and again they competed for the first few minutes of the second half.

However it wasn’t long before Christchurch extended their lead through a well struck penalty by Lewis.

Approx 10 minutes later and Sancho killed off any chance of a second half consolation period with his fourth of the match, squeezing under the body of the Cannon Goal Keeper.

Cannon received an opportunity to put an end to the clean sheet requested by the Christchurch Manager. A penalty was awarded and it was clear that this was a bad day in the park for Cannon when the ball ricocheted off the crossbar and behind for a goalkick.

Five minutes before the final whistle, Christchurch were awarded a second penalty and Josh Blackmore stepped up to knock it cleanly past the keeper.

Final score Cannon Colts U15s 0 – 6 Christchurch FC Youth U15s


Yet another great squad performance with every player involved, engaged and working for the team.

A special mention goes to Sancho for his 4 goal tally.


Could this indeed be a turning point for the blues?

Follow our progress over the season, come and watch our home matches at Iford Rec and see the future stars of Christchurch in action.


By Tris Chapman

Hampshire Cup First Round

For the first time this season Christchurch U15s managed to field a full squad of players and it really paid dividends.

The lads played with great composure and discipline throughout and managed to achieve an impressive but no less justified result for their earnest efforts.

The game finished 8-1 and if it were not for some resolute last ditch defending from the boys from Portsmouth double figures would not have been a flattering result.

With no less than 7 players on the score sheet a great team performance.


Recognition is warranted for all players however special mentions must go to Callum Smith and Dave Estridge for their solid defensive work and being the instigators for most of our offensive play as well as to Sam Barnes for scoring a brace on his Christchurch debut.


Images from this match are in the image gallery .