FA Youth Cup 2nd qualifying round

CHRISTCHURCH v MONEYFIELDS

Manager Andy Mills had practically his full squad from which he made his team selection:-

1 Jason Collins
2 Dan Hyne
3 James Marden
4 Chris Dillon
5 Adam Costello
6 Joe Mills
7 Darren Martin
8 Toby Williams (capt)
9 Ollie Dean
10 Russell Cooke
11 Harry Rolph

12 Dan Thompson
14 Jamie McMennum
15 Sam Thompson
GK James Stratford

The kick off was delayed by 10 minutes due to the late arrival of the Moneyfields side thanks to the traffic between Portsmouth and Christchurch. When the game did start we were treated to an exciting contest between two well-matched and fully committed teams. Adam Costello nearly gave Christchurch the early lead in the 4th minute when his beautifully struck free kick rebounded to safety off the post. However Moneyfields were looking dangerous on the counter attack and gradually took control of the game with their front-runners keeping the Christchurch defence on their toes. As the half drew to a close it looked as if Christchurch would go in some what fortunately on level terms but in the very last minute of the first period Moneyfields were quite rightly awarded a penalty when their forward was brought down in the box following another long through ball. The well-struck penalty crashed back into play off the keeper’s left hand post.

Half time: Christchurch 0 Moneyfields 0

The second half started with much of the same end to end play but in the 52nd minute Moneyfields broke down their right side. The ball was expertly pulled back leaving a neat side footed finish to give Moneyfields a deserved lead. This seemed to kick Christchurch into life and the equaliser came after an hour of the match. Dan Thompson played the ball through to Oliver Dean and his shot was well parried by the Moneyfields keeper. The rebound came out to Toby Williams who found the back of the net despite the desperate attempt of the defender on the line to keep it out. 1 – 1 and anybody’s game. Christchurch now piled on the pressure and started to look the team that we know they are. A Darren Martin corner managed to miss everyone in the six-yard box, Joe Mills shot over the bar from distance, and a Harry Rolph corner was headed onto the bar by Chris Dillon. Moneyfields were not overwhelmed and continued to create chances their selves but Adam Costello in particular continued to put in well timed last ditch tackles to keep the score even. Right on 90 minutes it looked as if Russell Cooke might win it when he rounded the keeper who was well outside his area and shot but a covering defender cleared off the line. Extra time in this pulsating game was a real plus for all the spectators.

Score at 90 minutes: Christchurch 1 Moneyfields 1

With 94 minutes on the clock Christchurch again attacked and Russell Cooke turned his marker but was dragged down in the penalty area. Up stepped Dan Thompson but his shot was well saved low to the keepers right. Again play switched from end to end as the players started to get extremely tired and the cramp attacks set in. The second period of extra time started with Moneyfields attacking in an exact replica of their goal scoring attack but this time when the ball was pulled back Adam Costello was there to clear for a corner. With 112 minutes played Russell Cooke was put through and as he out muscled the defender he smashed his right-footed shot into the Moneyfields net. Surely that was the winner but the spirited Moneyfields still tried to get back into the game and 2 minutes from time an almighty goalmouth scramble in the Christchurch goalmouth ended when the referee’s assistant flagged for off side. Christchurch successfully ran down the clock to earn on away game against Poole Town on Wednesday 24th October 2007.

Final score: Christchurch 2 Moneyfields 1

Once again congratulations to both teams for putting on such a cracker of a football match.

Images from this match are in the image gallery.

The Bridgeman