CHRISTCHURCH V WIMBORNE TOWN

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 1

Goal Scorer: Ben Osborne (2)

1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAN TAYLOR
4. BEN LUCAS
5. STEVE LINPOW
6. MARTIN LAWRENCE
7. MARC SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. TOM PRICE
11. JAMES BURDEN

SUBS

12.BEN HATCH
14.COLIN DAND
15.SIMON KEATES
16.JACQUES BERNARD

In front of a healthy Hurn Bridge crowd of 198 Christchurch completed a rare double over their local rivals. This was even more remarkable as Church were short of 6 regular players and shows the strength of Graham Kemps squad.

The first few minutes were tentative with both sides testing each other out but with the first real attack of the game the visitors took the lead on 14 minutes. A superb pass from ex Christchurch youngster Liam Green split the home defence down the left hand side resulting in a cross being easily converted by another ex Christchurch player prolific scorer Scott Joyce. In fact Joyce should have netted again in the following minute when he headed over from a left wing cross.
On 25 minutes only a superb challenge by Ben Lucas in the home defence denied Joyce again and at this stage Church were finding it difficult to play with the wind at their backs often over hitting passes and their only real effort on goal in the opening period was a Mark Smith 25 yard drive that was easily saved by Hutchins in the Wimborne goal.
At half time the score reflected the state of the game although the visitors may have thought the lead should have been greater.

The second half started with Ben Lucas who had been a tower of strength in The Church defence clearing off the line but after this the home side began to start passing the ball to feet with Mark Smith beginning to dominate matters in midfield and the lively Tom Price causing problems to the tall Wimborne defence. It came as no surprise when on 58 minutes from an Adam Costello cross and a Marc Faibrother deflection that Ben Osborne hammered in the equaliser from close range. Church continued to look the more dangerous side but they had a fortunate escape on 66 minutes when Joyce put through on the right hand side of the penalty area beat Kearn with a neat chip with the ball going narrowly wide of the far post.

The defining moment of the game came on 75 minutes when a dreadful error by Hutchins in the visitors goal resulted in his clearance being charged down by Tom Price and the ball being deflected to Ben Osborne who with some authority slammed the ball into the empty net from 15 yards for his 2nd goal of the game. Wimborne pushed forward in search of the equaliser and the nearest they came was on 82 minutes when the hard working Martin Lawrence produced a stunning challenge in the penalty area to deter a clear effort on goal.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARK SMITH (BUT THE WHOLE SIDE COULD HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE AWARD FOR THEIR SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE)

This result means that Christchurch are now undefeated in 13 matches and also retain their unbeaten home record.

On a personal note and I am sure I speak for the chairman and all of the Christchurch committee I would like to congratulate the manager and all the players ( not only the ones involved yesterday) for their efforts so far this season as it is far from easy to compete in this league being one of the few teams with no budget. It just goes to show you how far you can go with team spirit and a manager with good contacts.

Donners