Saturday 16th August 2008 F.A. cup extra preliminary round

CHRISTCHURCH v MELKSHAM TOWN (at The Cuthbury)

This game was played at the home of Wimborne Town FC due to the cricket section having priority at Hurn Bridge during the summer months. The Christchurch line up:

1 Stewart Kearn
2 Adam Costello
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Chris Dillon
6 John Brock
7 Mark Smith
8 James Burden
9 Gareth Barnes
10 Russell Cooke
11 Michael Green

12 Mark Burrows
14 Martin Lawrence
15 Paul Manning
16 Jon B;ake
17 Paul Rideout
18 Ross Drew
GK Jason Collins

The first half saw Christchurch perform as we know they can. Fast attacking play with excellent movement and chances created at will. Gareth Barnes, Russell Cook and Mark Smith might all have opened the scoring as the Christchurch wide men, James Burden and Michael Green got in crosses galore. Russell Cook was running the Melksham centre half all over the place and it came as no surprise when Cook turned his marker yet again and raced away towards goal. Cook kept cool and finished with great aplomb to give Christchurch a well-deserved lead. Following Cook’s goal the Melksham manager substituted his centre half to spare him any more embarrassment by having to try and contain the Christchurch teenager. At this time the Melksham keeper appeared to be playing ‘Church on his own as he made save after save to keep his team in the game. On 38 minutes Jon Brock ran the ball out of defence, played a one – two with Cook and crossed from the right for James Burden to side foot the ball home with his left foot. An excellent goal. Within the next few minutes Christchurch might have added more goals, Michael Green smashed a shot against the crossbar, Mark Smith saw his shot spectacularly saved as was Brock’s volley and Green had another goal bound shot headed off the line. A great half for this rampant Christchurch side.

Half time: Christchurch 2 Melksham Town 0


The second half saw right back Adam Costello suffer ligament damage following a heavy foul challenge on him and when he went off Christchurch lost a bit of defensive stability. Melksham were a different team and started to take the game to Christchurch and after quarter of an hour of the second half they got back into the game. A cross from their left saw the ball flicked past Stewart Kearn at the far post. Game on but Christchurch managed to hang on although they made much harder work of victory than the first half suggested.

Final score: Christchurch 2 Melksham Town 1

The Bridgeman