NEW MILTON TOWN V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE CUP - ROUND TWO

Match result: 1 - 1 (AET) Christchurch won 5 - 4 on penalties

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. Dan Taylor
4. Dan Crutchley
5. Steve Linpow
6. Martin Lawrence
7. Mark Smith
8. Marc Fairbrother
9. Robbie Woolner
10. Tom Price
11. James Burden

12. Paul Rideout
14. David Legg
15. Tom Jeffes
16. Ben Lucas
17. Ben Hatch

Christchurch won their second game on penalties in the last 2 weeks and also the third time they have played extra time in this period. The game should in reality not have gone this far as the hosts equalising goal came in the 4th minute of injury time with their last attack so once again the hero was keeper Stewart Kearn with the one penalty save and also some superb penalty taking.

Church started the game at a fast pace and for the first 5 minutes were camped in the New Milton half with good passing and movement especially on the right hand side. However there was no end result and the home side gradually came more into the game with their midfield moving the ball around well and they were unlucky not to take the lead firstly on 32 minutes when after a fine save from Kearn the resulting corner was headed off the line by Burden and then secondly 2 minutes later from another corner Fairbrother did the same. this was the end of a ten minute spell of attacking football from the home side which but for some stout defending by Church could well have resulted in them taking the lead. Just before the half-time break a Church attack down the right involving Costello and Fairbrother resulted in Price heading just wide.

Half time: New Milton Town 0 - Christchurch 0

The second half started with the hosts pushing forward and Kearn again saving well from a 20 yard effort whilst at the other end Mark Smith narrowly cleared the bar with a free kick on the edge of the area. The opening goal came on 73 minutes when Costello again pushing forward crossed and the ball spinning in the air was met by James Burden who out jumped the keeper to score with a header. It looked as if this would be the final score as the visitors kept the ball well but were caught out in New Milton's last foray into their penalty area when a cross was stabbed home from close range.

Full time: New Milton Town 1 - Christchurch 1

In extra time both sides had the chances to kill the game off but they were not taken resulting in the dreaded penalty shoot out. As previously stated the Church penalties were excellent (so were the first four from New Milton), but special mention of Ben Hatch with the fifth nearly breaking the net with its ferocity. So to the fifth from New Milton a weak effort straight at Kearn who saved easily. Next round home to Poole!!

A good solid performance from Christchurch who showed plenty of character and fight once again against opponents who have produced some good results.

Final score: Christchurch won 5 -4 on penalties.

Donners