BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY V CHRISTCHURCH

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

MATCH RESULT 2 - 3

GOAL SCORERS: BEN OSBORNE (2), TOM JEFFES

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

SUBS USED

12. DAVID LEGG
14. PAUL RIDEOUT

The saying "a game of two halves" is used all too commonly but if there was ever a game that was suited to this title then this was it.

In the first 45 minutes Christchurch were dire with just one effort on goal but with the second half it was a different story due to manager Graham Kemp's team talk and astute tactical changes resulting in an injury time winning goal.

The first 20 minutes were fairly even but on 21 minutes the home side took the lead when from a corner the marking was non existent resulting in a free header from 5 yards. Matters got worse for Church 2 minutes later when the dangerous Neil Williams was allowed to run some 40 yards unchallenged and slot the ball home to make it 2- 0. After this the visitors played some neat football without threatening in the final third and were fortunate it was only 2- 0 at the break as on 41 minutes they cleared an effort off the goal line.

What a difference the break made and with the introduction of David Legg, within 5 minutes of the restart it was all level. Firstly on 48 minutes Ben Osborne scored a scrambled goal from close range and on 50 minutes Tom Jeffes held off a strong unfair challenge from a defender rounded the goalkeeper and netted the equaliser. In addition there were two further opportunities for Church to take the lead in the next 5 minutes but these were not taken. It was not all one way traffic however as the home side were dangerous at set pieces due to their tall players and they nearly took the lead on 64 minutes when Williams hit the top of the bar with a left wing cross shot.

However due to strong defending by the visitors especially the impressive Ben Lucas it was Church who looked the most likely to score the winner and when it came in injury time it was worth the wait. Substitute Paul Rideout crossed from the left and Mark Smith who became more influential as the game progressed hit a superb volley from 15 yards against the post/ crossbar but the rebound fell to the head of Ben Osborne who scored his 12th goal of the season.

Credit obviously goes to the players but also to the manager who was brave enough to change both personnel and the system after the first 45 minutes. Also credit must go to the home clubs officials who whilst obviously disappointed at losing after being 2 goals ahead were full of praise for our comeback and were very hospitable ( some other clubs take note!!)

Donners