Saturday 24th January 2009
F.A. vase 4th round

CHRISTCHURCH v FC CLACTON

A fine warm Saturday afternoon was the setting for this important match. After last weeks postponement and a week of poor weather all were pleased to see the referee give the OK to play. The Christchurch line up:

1 Stewart Kearn
2 Steve Linpow
3 Michael Green
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Chris Dillon
6 Adam Wiltshire
7 Mark Smith
8 James Burden
9 Gareth Barnes
10 Russell Cook
11 Paul Rideout

12 Ben Osborne
14 Dan Taylor
15 Martin Lawrence
16 Paul Manning
17 Colin Dand

Clacton began at a fast pace and in the second minute Gregg Heighway shot against the post. In the 14th minute Christchurch broke away to take the lead against the run of play. Russell Cook advanced down the right and pulled the ball back for Paul Rideout to find the back of the net with a cool right foot strike. The best goal of the match came 10 minutes later when James Burden fed Cook who crossed first time for Gareth Barnes to swivel and fire home. The remainder of the first half belonged to Clacton as they pressurised the home defence with numerous high balls and long throws.

Half time: Christchurch 2 FC Clacton 0

The second half saw Christchurch at their best as attack followed attack and two more goals were the deserved result. Paul Rideout was tripped in the penalty area and he picked himself up to score his second from the spot kick. Gareth Barnes also scored his second with a delicate header following a great cross from James Burden.

Final score: Christchurch 4 FC Clacton 0

Christchurch Man of the Match sponsored by “Den’s Diner” MARK SMITH

The Bridgeman

ROMSEY TOWN v CHRISTCHURCH FC – 20th January 2009
Sydenham’s Wessex Premier League


Manager Graham Kemp and his squad arrived at Romsey before the home team knowing that a victory would take them above Romsey in the league. With Colin Dand taken ill on arrival, and Simon Keates suffering a set back with his injury, the line up for this important game was as follows:

1 Stewart Kearn
2 Steve Linpow
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Chris Dillon
6 Adam Wiltshire
7 Mark Smith
8 James Burden
9 Gareth Barnes
10 Russell Cook
11 Michael Green

12 Ben Osborne
14 Paul Rideout
15 Martin Lawrence
16 Paul Manning
17 Adam Costello

On a heavy pitch and with the temperature dropping every minute both teams found it difficult to carve out any real chances in the opening exchanges. In fact it was almost on the half hour mark when Christchurch played a ball out to Russell Cook on the left flank. Cook’s pass found the advancing Mark Smith through on goal. Smith rounded the keeper but just as he was about to put the ball into the empty net he was brought down from behind. The guilty Romsey defender was walking off the pitch even before the referee could show him the red card. Mark Smith got up and coolly slotted home the spot kick to give Christchurch the lead. Both teams had tried to play passing football and both sides had looked well organised during an evenly matched first half.

Half time: Romsey Town 0 Christchurch 1

The second half was barely 2 minutes old when Mark Smith intercepted a Romsey pass. Smith fed Russell Cook on the left and the young striker rounded a defender and crossed for Gareth Barnes to finish with ease. Two minutes later Christchurch effectively wrapped the game up when Smith played Barnes through the middle and the big centre forward side stepped his marker and found the back of the net in a clinical finish. Christchurch were now rampant and they passed the ball around the entire pitch to take full advantage of the extra man. Ben Osborne then sent Barnes away and his cross was put into the net by James Burden to make it four. Mark Smith then chipped a pass to Ben Osborne who delightfully lifted the ball over the advancing keeper for the best finish of the evening. The final goal started with Michael Green setting Osborne free down the left and his unselfish cross found Paul Manning steaming in to finish with aplomb.

Final score: Romsey Town 0 Christchurch 6

The Bridgeman