RUSSELL COTES CUP ROUND 1

TOTTON AND ELING V CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT 3 - 1 (AET)

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. ADAM COSTELLO
5. BEN LUCAS
6. SIMON KEATES
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

Subs Used:

MARTIN LAWRENCE
BEN HATCH
PAUL MANNING

Christchurch were left to rue missed chances in a first half they totally dominated as they were knocked out of the Russell- Cotes cup at the first hurdle after extra time.

The visitors started well and on 2 minutes Paul Rideout hit the post after being set up by Tom Jeffes and on 5 minutes Jeffes lob went over the bar. It came as no surprise on 10 minutes that Church took the lead as Marc Fairbrother had a shot deflected for a corner from which skipper Dan Crutchley netted following a Ben Lucas header.

Christchurch continued to dominate with Mark Smith influential in midfield and Fairbrother and Costello dangerous on the right hand side and it was not until the half hour mark that Kearn had a save to make when he denied the home side in a one on one situation. Church looked to extend their lead and Ben Lucas was unlucky on 37 minutes when from a Smith free kick his header was well saved. The half time score of 0-1 was not a fair reflection of the play and this was to prove decisive later.

The second half started with Totton looking far more dangerous and it was no surprise when they equalised on 57 minutes with a shot from 20 yards. The home side looked more likely to score again but the impressive Ben Lucas was unlucky on 70 minutes when he headed against the bar from a corner and the nearest to a winning goal came in injury time from Totton when their substitute shot well wide when well placed.

So once again into extra time and possibly penalties but it was not to be as Totton scored twice in the space of 4 minutes in the second period both goals from close range and both possibly could have been defended better.

Extra time and a loss were the 2 last things Graham Kemp and his men wanted prior to the Vase game on Saturday and Poole midweek but they have shown great character before and I am sure they will do so again.

Donners