Tuesday 1st April 2008
Sydenham’s Wessex League
Premier division

CHRISTCHURCH v AFC TOTTON

Following the previous Saturday’s disappointing home defeat manager Graham Kemp made a few changes to his starting line up:

1 Jason Collins
2 Ross Walliss
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley
5 Chris Dillon
6 Lloyd Jenvey (capt)
7 Andy Borthwick
8 Paul Manning
9 Russell Cook
10 Marc Burrows
11 Paul Rideout

12 Steve Linpow
14 Zach Glasspool
15 Martin Lawrence
16 Colin Dand
17 Harry Rolph


The first half started off at an extremely fast pace which continued throughout the evening. The big, strong, physical attributes of Totton were used to the full and just 15 minutes into the match Andy Borthwick found his game over when following an alleged elbow incident he was taken to hospital to have several stitches put in a cut above his eye. Shortly after this Dan Crutchley went down from a “leading arm” foul challenge but recovered to continue the match. Totton were always dangerous going forwards and their pace and movement was as one would expect from a side chasing the league championship. At times Christchurch’s defending was bordering on the desperate and in the 25th minute Totton opened the scoring. A cross from the right was expertly volleyed home to give the visitors the lead. If Totton thought Christchurch were going to lie down then they were very much mistaken and 5 minutes before half time an equaliser was scored. A Chris Dillon long throw caught ex Christchurch keeper Gareth Barfoot out in the Totton goal and Marc Burrows crept in to somehow slide the ball home off some part of his anatomy! Right on half time Jason Collins saved well low down to his left.

Half time: Christchurch 1 AFC Totton 1

The second half saw AFC Totton come out with even more determination to win the game but it was Christchurch who unexpectedly took the lead. Paul Rideout raced down the right and brilliantly played Marc Burrows in. Burrows, whose pace had troubled the giant Totton defenders all evening outstripped his marker and placed the ball beyond Barfoot and into the net. Totton appeared to be stunned and then continued to press the Christchurch defence for the remainder of the match. With an hour played Totton grabbed a controversial equaliser. As Christchurch keeper Jason Collins came well off his line to collect a through ball the Totton forward robustly challenged with studs held dangerously high and collided with the teenage keeper resulting in the ball slowly rolling over the line to even the score. Totton were now in the ascendancy and a shot smashed against Collin’s left hand post and then a Totton free kick was hammered against the crossbar. The winning goal came near the end of this pulsating game and it was a goal worthy of winning any game. A cracking shot from 25 yards gave Collins no chance and how Totton celebrated! There was still time for a vociferous penalty appeal for Christchurch to be turned down before this exciting game came to a close.

Final score: Christchurch 2 AFC Totton 3

A superb game in which all the Christchurch players stood up to be counted against what is surely the Champions elect.

The Bridgeman