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