Tuesday 29th July 2008
CHRISTCHURCH v GOSPORT BOROUGH

Christchurch played host to Alex Pike’s Southern League Gosport Borough on the immaculate Hurn Bridge surface. Christchurch starting line up:

1 Sam Webb
2 John Blake
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Steve Linpow
6 John Brock
7 Mark Smith
8 Simon Keates
9 Gareth Barnes
10 Russell Cooke
11 Paul Rideout

Subs:
Chris Dillon
Michael Green
Colin Dand
Harry Rolph
Steve Strong (debut)
Jason Collins GK
Joe Prodomo GK


Gosport started like a train and hit the post within 20 seconds of the start. But Christchurch fought back and a shot from Gareth Barnes was well saved by Gosport’s Stacey Harper after 16 minutes. Shortly after a long cross from Gosports right was brought down by last season’s Southern league top goalscorer Justin Bennett who finished with style despite Christchurch’s appeal for a foul. Christchurch played well in this first half, taking the game to Gosport but the southern league side always looked dangerous when attacking.

Half time: Christchurch 0 Gosport Borough 3

The second half saw the usual pre season deluge of substitutes as Gosport took control of the game. The nearest Christchurch came to scoring was when debutant Steve Strong chipped the ex Christchurch keeper Max Frampton but saw his effort come back off the bar. Gosport extended their lead when poor marking at a corner resulted in a powerful header beating Sam Webb in the Christchurch goal. Further poor defending allowed Gosport to record a 3 – nil victory as Christchurch visibly tired against their higher league opponents.

Full time: Christchurch 0 Gosport Borough 3

A good workout for Graham Kemps boys against a side that truly showed the difference between Wessex and Southern league football.

Saturday 26th July 2008 pre season friendly

PORTLAND UNITED v CHRISTCHURCH

Another blistering hot afternoon in July, another pre season friendly. Manager Graham Kemp gave several players the day off and took a small and very young squad to Portland:

1 Jason Collins
2 Adam Costello (capt)
3 Chris Dillon
4 Steve Linpow
5 John Brock
6 Martin Lawrence
7 Simon Keates
8 Harry Rolph
9 Mike Carroll (debut)
10 Russell Cooke
11 Paul Manning

12 Colin Dand
14 Michael Green


The game started at a quick pace despite the red hot conditions, and play went from end to end as both teams passed the ball around on the excellent surface. Early on Jason Collins had to be alert in the Christchurch goal as he got down well to his left to push a low shot out for a corner. Just before the half hour mark Christchurch took the lead. The build up down the right ended with the ball being played into Mike Carroll who controlled and then shot right footed past the keeper from about 20 yards out. A fine goal for the debut boy.

Half time: Portland United 0 Christchurch 1

The second half saw the breeze increasing but the temperature was still extremely hot. Quite soon after the restart Christchurch extended their lead. Simon Keates worked himself space on the right wing and his superb far post cross was met by Chris Dillon who scored with a thumping header. Ten minutes later and Portland pulled a goal back. A corner was assisted by the wind and caught everyone out as it ended in the back of the net. Portland came close to equalising a couple of times but all in all another fine performance from this very young Christchurch line up.

Final score: Portland United 1 Christchurch 2



The Bridgeman

Tuesday 22nd July 2008 pre season friendly

RINGWOOD TOWN v CHRISTCHURCH

Manager Graham Kemp took a large squad to nearby Ringwood:

1 Sam Webb
2 Adam Costello
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Chris Dillon
6 Simon Keates
7 Mark Smith
8 James Burden
9 Gareth Barnes
10 Marc Burrows
11 Paul Rideout

Subs:
Steve Linpow
Colin Dand
Ross Drew
Paul Manning
John Blake
Russell Cooke
Michael Green
Martin Lawrence
John Brock
GK Jason Collins
GK Joe Prodomo

In their third friendly against lower opposition Christchurch once again ran out comfortable winners. With both sides trying to play a passing game opportunities came at both ends. Sam Webb had to be alert on a couple of occasions to keep Ringwood at bay. But with 20 minutes gone James Burden had a header cleared off the Ringwood goal line and 10 minutes later Burden’s right-footed shot was also cleared off the line. 5 minutes before the half time interval a long ball was held up expertly by Gareth Barnes who played the ball back for Marc Burrows to pick out Burden who this time made no mistake with a sweet left foot finish low to the ‘keepers right.

Half time: Ringwood Town 0 Christchurch 1

The second half saw Christchurch make many substitutions but their passing ability remained of a high quality. The fitness level of this Christchurch squad appears to be very high and the second half was all about Christchurch as an attacking unit. Halfway through the 2nd period Russell Cooke fed Marc Burrows whose shot found the corner of the net despite the Ringwood keeper getting a hand to the ball. Although creating numerous chances Christchurch had to wait until 2 minutes before the end of the match to score their third. Burrows finishing with a well executed right foot volley. There was still just time for the Ringwood keeper to make a fingertip save from Burrow’s exquisite chip shot to deny the Christchurch striker a hat trick.

Final score: Ringwood Town 0 Christchurch 3

The Bridgeman

Saturday 19th July 2008 pre season friendly

HOLT UNITED v CHRISTCHURCH

On a blistering hot afternoon Christchurch recorded their second pre season victory in three days:

1 Sam Webb (debut)
2 Martin Lawrence
3 Dan Taylor
4 Chris Dillon
5 Steve Linpow
6 John Brock
7 Mark Smith
8 Harry Rolph
9 Gareth Barnes
10 Russell Cooke
11 Paul Manning

12 Marc Burrows
14 James Burden
15 Paul Rideout
16 John Blake
GK Joe Prodomo

Once again Christchurch started slowly and soon found themselves a goal down when a long ball played over the defence was lobbed over the advancing Sam Webb’s head giving the debutant no chance. Christchurch tried to play the ball about in their usual passing style but seemed a little lethargic at times. However midway through the first half Gareth Barnes scored with a neat left foot finish to equalise. Almost immediately Holt regained the lead when the impressive Kevin Collins (one time Christchurch player) scored with a dramatic twenty yard screamer into the top corner.

Half time: Holt United 2 Christchurch 1

The second half saw Christchurch play with a bit more pace and to be fair they were by far the better side after the interval. With the ball being passed about and the full backs getting forward at every opportunity it was no surprise that Christchurch levelled the score. Marc Burrows went down the right wing and crossed superbly where Gareth Barnes was attacking the space. Unfortunately for “Barnesy” a Holt defender just beat him to the ball to score an own goal. However Barnes was not to be denied and soon he scored his second and Christchurch’s third from a well taken free kick. With Christchurch now well on top and the Holt players visibly tiring James Burden finished the afternoons scoring. Good work by James Brock gave Barnes the opportunity to release Burden one on one with the keeper and his right footed finish easily ended in the back of the net.

Final score: Holt United 2 Christchurch 4


The same afternoon Tim Collin’s reserve side played at Poole Borough where they came away with a 2 – 2 draw. Craig Davey and Toby Williams notched for Christchurch in their first friendly of the season. Manager Collins was delighted with the performance of his young, fit side and although he admitted there was still plenty of work to be done the promise was there for all to see.



The Bridgeman

Thursday 17th July 2008 pre season friendly

VERWOOD TOWN v CHRISTCHURCH (played at Heathlands)

Manager Graham Kemp selected a large squad for the first game of the 2008/2009 season. Several new faces appeared in blue shirts who lined up like this:

1 Jason Collins
2 Danny Jones
3 Dan Taylor
4 John Blake
5 Dan Crutchley (capt)
6 John Brock
7 Mark Smith
8 James Burden
9 Gareth Barnes
10 Marc Burrows
11 Paul Rideout

12 Russell Cooke
14 Chris Dillon
15 Steve Linpow
16 Harry Rolph
17 Paul Manning
18 Simon Keates
19 Martin Lawrence
GK Joe Promodo

Débutantes for Christchurch were Danny Jones, John Blake, John Brock, Mark Smith and Simon Keates. Gareth Barnes made his second debut for Christchurch 14 years after his original debut. Welcome back Gareth. Youth team goalie Joe Promodo appeared for the first team for the first time.

Christchurch took time to settle on the poor surface and went behind in the first 5 minutes when a corner for Verwood found an unmarked player who had no trouble finding the back of the Christchurch net with a good header. Christchurch tended to hang onto the ball too long but when they passed it around the chances were created. Paul Rideout had several opportunities to equalised but failed to capitalise and the nearest that Christchurch came to scoring was when Mark Smith hit the post late in the first half.

Half time: Verwood Town 1 Christchurch 0

The second half saw Christchurch come out with pace and determination and 5 minutes after the restart a Mark Smith shot was parried by the keeper into the path of Marc Burrows who instantly returned the ball into the corner of the net. This equaliser prompted manager Graham Kemp to ring the changes and most of the substitutes were used at this time. Christchurch suddenly clicked and some of the football played was extremely pleasing to watch. It was all one way now and Russell Cooke put Christchurch in the lead with a smart right foot finish. As the usual pre season substitutions came and went Cooke repeated his earlier action to score with another good finish.

Final score: Verwood Town 1 Christchurch 3

A good run out for Christchurch where some of the new boys showed just what we can expect during the season. Bring it on!

The Bridgeman