CHRISTCHURCH v COWES SPORTS

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 5 - 2

GOAL SCORERS: PAUL RIDEOUT (2), TOM JEFFES, MARK SMITH, BEN OSBORNE

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. COLIN DAND
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. JACQUES BERNARD
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

SUBS USED:

BEN LUCAS
STEVE GREEN

Hurn Bridge is certainly the place to be at these days if you want to see entertaining football together with excellent goals. This was a very open game with goals of the highest quality and the visitors played their part with a performance that belied their league position.

After a quiet first 10 minutes the game came to life on 11 minutes when Paul Rideout took advantage of a headed flick on and beat his marker to net emphatically with a right foot shot from 20 yards. It was nearly 2 in the next minute but Mark Smith was denied by a fine save by Chris Norris in the visitors goal. The second goal was not long forthcoming as on 22 minutes Tom Jeffes netted with a fierce left drive from 22 yards. Cowes however were not long in reducing the arrears when after 26 minutes the home defence failed to close down the visitors left back Lee Davies who from some 30 yards netted with a fierce left foot shot. This gave Cowes some confidence and for the remainder of the half they passed the ball well but did not really trouble Kearn in the home goal.

For once Church did not concede in the 46th minute and on 53 minutes Jeffes was denied by the keeper after being put through by Smith and the third goal came in the next minute when Cowes failed to clear an Adam Costello cross and Rideout scored his second of the night and his fourth in two games with a fine shot from 15 yards. With Mark Smith now in control of midfield the chances continued to come and it was Smith himself who scored the fourth on 67 minutes when after a superb passing movement that covered 60 yards he finished with some aplomb from 10 yards. The visitors did not give up though and on 69 minutes hit the bar with a header the ball then being handled by Steve Linpow for a penalty that was easily converted by Sam Yelland.

After 75 minutes Ben Osborne should have scored being denied by the keeper legs but at the other end Cowes thought they had scored after 80 minutes when a corner was held on the line by Kearn. The game continued to flow from end to end and Smith nearly scored again on 85 minutes when after a fine passing movement he showed great skill to chip the keeper but this went well wide. It was left to leading scorer Ben Osborne to finish the scoring for the evening with his 25th goal of the season after 86 minutes with a right foot effort from 15 yards.

Another win for Church extending their unbeaten league run against a game Cowes side who it will be a shame if they are relegated as always a pleasure to visit their ground unlike a certain unnamed side who will remain in the league for another season. One final point after his brief appearance on the right wing I don’t think Marc Fairbrother’ place will be threatened by Steve Linpow.


MAN OF THE MATCH: PAUL RIDEOUT

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH v LYMINGTON TOWN

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 5 - 2

GOAL SCORERS: PAUL RIDEOUT (2 PENS), STEVE LINPOW, BEN OSBORNE, STEVE GREEN

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. COLIN DAND
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. JACQUES BERNARD
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

SUBS USED:

BEN LUCAS
STEVE GREEN
DAN TAYLOR

The score-line might reflect a comfortable win but at times, especially the first 20 minutes of the second half this was far from the case.

Church may well have taken the lead in the first minute but Tom Jeffes was unable to get the final touch to a Mark Smith cross. At the other end on 3 minutes Stewart Kearn had to be alert to keep out a 25 yard free kick and as play flowed from end to end Adam Costello’s cross from the right missed everybody and a Smith free kick was tipped over the bar by Smith in the Lymington goal. Adam Costello, still looking for his first league goal, hit the bar from close range and just when you got the feeling that it was to be one of those days A Ben Osborne shot was handled in the area and penalty king Paul Rideout scored easily from the spot. The lead was increased on 20 minutes when Steve Linpow rose unchallenged from a corner to head powerfully into the net. The visitors very nearly reduced the arrears in the next minute but were denied by a top class save from Kearn.

Church had another penalty on 33 minutes when Marc Fairbrother was fouled and once again Rideout scored easily. Rideout nearly scored his third two minutes later but after a fine run he shot straight at the keeper and then Tom Jeffes was put through after a Ben Osborne flicked header but he shot well wide.

Lymington reduced the arrears on 46 minutes when Kearn was harshly penalised for hand ball outside the area and from the resulting free kick Gareth Byers netted with a fine header. This gave the visitors fresh impetus and for the 20 minutes they looked lively and dangerous every time they attacked but Kearn was at his best during this period. In basically their first attack of the second half Church increased their lead when leading scorer Osborne netted at the near post from a Rideout cross. This did not deter Lymington however who scored their second goal after 69 minutes with a Luke Ansell header.

Play continued to be end to end but it was the home side who had the final say when Steve Green scored his first goal for the club from close range after a neat bout of passing.

With this win Church continue to push for a top 6 finish and will need full points from their next two home games against Cowes & Moneyfields for this to come to fruition.

MAN OF MATCH: STEWART KEARN

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH v FAREHAM TOWN

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 1

GOAL SCORERS: BEN OSBORNE, MARK SMITH

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. COLIN DAND
6. JACQUES BERNARD
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUB USED:

BEN DICKENSON

A freak free kick from midfield maestro Mark Smith resulted in the winning goal and 3 valuable points in Church’s attempt to climb into the top 6 and improve on last seasons finish.

The match started slowly but came to life on 9 minutes when from a Smith corner Jacques Bernard fierce drive was not so much saved by the visitors custodian but merely he was unable to get out off the way to prevent an opening goal. It was Bernard again on 16 minutes who was denied a clear run on goal by good defending and just prior to this Adam Costello had a good chance with a free header but headed wide. It was not all one way though as Fareham from a corner had a header straight at Kearn and also the home keeper saved well from a 12 yard shot. Bernard who appeared to be everywhere then had another effort on goal on 23 minutes well saved but Church took the lead in the next minute when leading scorer Ben Osborne scored his 23rd and possibly best goal of the season. Put through on the right hand side of the penalty area he showed both skill and pace!! to drill a shot into the bottom corner of the net. This gave Church confidence and Osborne should have scored again 5 minutes later when after good work by Marc Fairbrother he fluffed an effort from close range. Fareham then began to dictate matters and it came as no surprise when they equalised on 39 minutes with a Gavin Jones shot from 18 yards when the home defence failed to clear their lines.

HALF TIME 1-1

The second 45 minutes could not have been as action filled as the first and that was the case. Fareham looked the better side passing the ball well in midfield but not really troubling Kearn in the home goal due to good defending by the Church back four especially Colin Dand. The first real effort Church had on goal was on 69 minutes when Tom Jeffes shot wide but the defining moment of the game came shortly after when from at least 35 yards out on the wide left Mark Smith put a free kick into the penalty area and into the back of the net with the Fareham keeper rooted to the spot.

There was still time for a cameo 10 minutes from young substitute Ben Dickenson who twice with searing pace scared the tiring Fareham defence.

So to sum up a quick fire double over a very good Fareham side who are above us in the table and with this type of performance along with that last Saturday there is no reason to not believe a top 6 place cannot be attained.

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH v BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 3 - 3

GOAL SCORERS: TOM JEFFES (2), BEN OSBORNE

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. COLIN DAND
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. JACQUES BERNARD
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUB USED:

BEN DICKENSON

In a highly entertaining game, that was a credit to the Wessex League, Christchurch and Bemerton fought out a high scoring draw in a game that could have gone either way.

The home side started brightly with youngster Jacques Bernard prominent in midfield and also up front as on 18 minutes he was denied a goal by a clearance off the line. The home side continued to look impressive but as so often happens in a rare attack the visitors took the lead on 28 minutes with probably one of the best goals seen at Hurn Bridge for many a year. The ball was played up to Joe Sanger some 25 yards out who chested it down turned and hit a left foot volley with some velocity leaving Kearn in the home goal with no chance. Straight from the kick off Tom Jeffes nearly equalised but his effort was cleared off the line. The game went from end to end and just as it looked the half time score would remain at 0-1 on the stroke of 45 minutes Tom Jeffes held off a defender to finish well from 8 yards.

Church started the second half the same as they finished the first with a goal. Leading scorer Ben Osborne was put through and from 15 yards finished emphatically. For the next 15 minutes Church went in search of a third and probably decisive goal but good goalkeeping denied them and on 65 minutes the visitors drew level when after Church lost the ball in midfield a simple pass put that man Sanger through on goal and his finish was clinical. On this showing Sanger looks as if he should be playing at a higher level!!

Both sides continued to attack looking for what could be the decisive third goal and it was Bemerton who scored it when a cross went into the home box and ended up at the feet of Adam Jones who still had a lot to do but again the finishing was precise leaving Kearn with no chance. The lead did not last long though as within three minutes on 74 minutes the scores were level once more when the visitors keeper made his one error of the game failing to collect a corner and Tom Jeffes netted from close range for his second goal of the game.

Both sides had chances to win the game in the last 15 minutes the best probably being James Burden who after a fine run saw his shot well saved at the expense of a corner. Church introduced another of their consistent crop of youngsters on 85 minutes when 16 year old Ben Dickenson took to the field and he looked very dangerous with his pace causing problems to the visitors defence.

Possibly a fair result but manager Graham Kemp will perhaps think his side deserved all 3 points against a team 3rd in the league and the fight for a top six finish continues on Tuesday with a home fixture against tough opposition Fareham.

MAN OF THE MATCH: COLIN DAND

Donners

AFC TOTTON v CHRISTCHURCH

HANTS SENIOR CUP SEMI - FINAL

MATCH RESULT: 3 - 0

1. STEWART KEARN
2. COLIN DAND
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. DAN TAYLOR
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. TOM PRICE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. JACQUES BERNARD

SUBS USED:

JAMES BURDEN
ADAM COSTELLO
BEN OSBORNE

Christchurch may have lost the match but they can certainly come out of this game with their heads held high. Their higher graded opponents knew they had been in a contest and the only real difference in the sides was the quality of the finishing.

Church started confidentially passing the ball well and the lively Tom Price was causing the home side problems on the left wing and it was Price who had the first opportunity on 4 minutes but he shot well over the bar. The home side then began to assert their authority as one might expect but it took 20 minutes for them to take the lead. A shot from the edge of the area was well saved by Stewart Kearn ( good to have him back and looking as good as ever ) but the ball ran loose and Gosney was the first to react netting from close range. The game was effectively over on the half hour mark when Totton scored two goals in the space of 3 minutes. Firstly prolific goal scorer James Taylor turned his marker to net and then a defender netted with a 20yard drive. Both goals may have been avoided if the visitors had cleared their lines quicker but that’s football.

Church started the second half in confident mood and nearly netted on 50 minutes when a header from skipper Dan Crutchley was superbly saved by ex Church keeper Gareth Barfoot. This was the nearest Church came to scoring but they had plenty of possession which they put to good use and Kearn dealt with all the home sides efforts which were mostly from long range in a confident manner.
All the best to Totton in the final as they look a really good side and hopefully the two ex Christchurch players Gareth Barfoot & Mike Green could show us their winners medals!!

Donners

FAREHAM v CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 2

GOAL SCORERS: Tom Jeffes, James Burden

1. JO PRODOMO
2. COLIN DAND
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. MARTIN HARRIS
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. TOM JEFFES
10. JACQUES BERNARD
11. TOM PRICE

SUB USED:

JAMES BURDEN


A superb strike from James Burden in injury time gave Christchurch all 3 points in a battling display that showed tremendous character after their mid week battering at the hands of Poole.

Manager Graham Kemp made changes after mid week especially in the back four looking for more defence stability and this certainly worked as the team worked as a unit throughout.

The first real attack of the game resulted in Church taking the lead on 10 minutes when from a superb Mark Smith free kick Tom Jeffes stole in at the far post to convert from close range. The home side then became victim of a fussy referee with 4 bookings the last of these resulting in them being reduced to 10 men on the half hour mark. With the wide players Fairbrother and Price especially the latter looking dangerous the visitors were in control without looking unduly threatening but Fareham were rarely in the game due in the main to the excellent work by youngsters Harris and Bernard and at half time the score remained at 0-1.

Skipper Dan Crutchley came close to increasing the lead on 49 minutes being denied by a superb save from the home custodian but as the game progressed the home side began to look more threatening without really troubling Jo Prodomo in the Church goal and just when it looked as if the visitors had weathered the storm Gary Austin equalised on 80 minutes with a left foot shot from an acute angle.

Straight from the kick off it looked as if Church had regained the lead when Price netted but he had been flagged offside and then both sides were reduced to 10 men on 86 minutes when the industrious Martin Harris was booked twice in the space of 2 minutes.
It looked as if a draw was to be the result but then substitute James Burden netted with a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area when Fareham failed to clear a corner. There was still time for the home side to have another attempt on goal but in a situation similar to the winning goal the ball ended up clearing the bar.

As already stated this was a tremendous result showing immense character after the mid week failings and although a push to attain 6th place in the league will be difficult if a similar attitude is shown it is certainly possible.

Finally many thanks to youngster Jo Prodomo standing in for the suspended Stewart Kearn who was in the winning side in his two league games and can in no way be held responsible for the losing of the Poole game and he will always be welcome back at any time.

Lastly all the best to the lads at Totton in the Hants semi- final on Tuesday

Donners

CHRISTCHURCH v POOLE TOWN

WESSEX LEAGUE CUP QUARTER FINAL

MATCH RESULT: 0 - 8

1. JO PRODOMO
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. BEN LUCAS
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM JEFFES
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUBS USED:

JACQUES BERNARD
TOM PRICE
MARTIN HARRIS

Christchurch crashed out of the Wessex League Cup at the quarter final stage to a highly impressive Poole Town team. To add insult to injury ex Christchurch player Russell Cook who worked his way through the Church Youth set up to become a force in the senior side scored a hat-trick and was impressive throughout.

The game had barely been going 30 seconds when it was held up for some 5 minutes due to a head injury to the visitors captain Carl Poore which resulted in an early substitution.
This did not deter Poole however who took the lead on 13 minutes with a near post header from a corner and then increased their lead on 21 minutes with a shot from the edge of the area. The defining moment of the game came on the half hour mark when James Burden hit the post for Church and instead of the score being 1-2 the visitors went straight down the other end to increase the lead with Cook turning his marker and crossing for an easy finish. Jo Promodo in the home goal had no chance with any of the goals and prior to half time he made 2 fine saves but he was beaten again on 44 minutes with an own goal from a corner.
The introduction of Tom Price and Jacques Bernard for the second half injected some pace into the Church side with Price in particular looking sharp but with the home side pushing forward gaps were left at the back which were ruthlessly exploited by Poole with further goals on 50, 55, 67 and 83 minutes. It summed up Church's evening on the hour mark when a superbly struck free kick from Mark Smith hit the bar and from the rebound Adam Costello was only able to head into the keepers arms.
All the best to Poole in their semi-final and in their quest for a new ground as on this performance it would appear they are playing at least one possibility two leagues below what they are capable of.
On a bright note Christchurch have a Hampshire Senior Cup Tie to look forward to next week and at least all our players turn up and we do not attempt to fund raise on opponents grounds!!

Donners