FARNBOROUGH NORTH END V CHRISTCHURCH

HANTS SENIOR CUP

MATCH RESULT: 2 - 6

Goal Scorers: Mark Smith (3), Ben Osborne, Tom Jeffes, Paul Rideout.

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. David Legg
4. Colin Dand
5. Ben Lucas
6. Martin Lawrence
7. Mark Smith
8. Jacque Bernard
9. Ben Osborne
10. Tom Jeffes
11. Paul Rideout

Subs used:

Ben Hatch
Marc Fairbrother
Simon Keates

Christchurch progressed to the last 8 of the Hampshire Senior Cup with a comprehensive victory due to a 4 goal spree between the 70th and 80th minutes against a gutsy home side.

The first 30 minutes were unremarkable although Church had the majority of the possession passing the ball well but on the half hour mark the visitors were awarded a penalty for the third of three debatable challenges in the area in a matter of seconds. Paul Rideout scored easily to make it 31 successful kicks from 32 attempts. You thought this would settle Church down but in the very next minute with virtually their first attack the home side equalised when a left footed shot come cross ended in the back of the net giving Kearn no chance. This spurred the visitors on and Ben Osborne headed straight at the keeper from 5 yards prior to Church regaining the lead on 39 minutes when Tom Jeffes superbly controlled an Osborne header and finished clinically from 15 yards. There was still time for Osborne to miss when clean through and also for the same player to put a header wide.

The first 25 minutes of the second half continued with Church having the majority of the possession and it came as a surprise when Farnborough equalised on 70 minutes when a break down the left resulted in an open goal. This spurred the visitors on and the influential Mark Smith then proceeded to net a quick fire hat trick the pick of the bunch being a superb free kick from the edge of the penalty area. In addition Ben Osborne netted a 6th from a Rideout cross and Christchurch were happy to see out the remaining 10 minutes.

An impressive display which this time resulted in goals being scored and special mention must be made of new dad Colin Dand who in a rare appearance never put a foot wrong and young Jacque Bernard for an excellent performance in midfield.

Finally many thanks for the hosts for being very hospitable and for playing the game in the right spirit there barely being a bad challenge in the whole game.

Donners