Saturday 11th April 2009
Sydenham’s Wessex Premier league

CHRISTCHURCH v WIMBORNE TOWN

Skipper Dan Crutchley and defender Steve Linpow returned for Christchurch:

1 Stewart Kearn
2 Steve Linpow
3 Dan Taylor
4 Dan Crutchley (capt)
5 Chris Dillon
6 Andy Borthwick
7 Mark Smith
8 Marc Fairbrother
9 Ben Osborne
10 Tom Price
11 Michael Green

12 Ben Osborne
14 Martin Lawrence
15 Paul Manning
16 Colin Dand
17 Adam Costello

This game was overall a poor advert for Wessex League football. Over officious refereeing and with both teams indulging in seeing if they could put the ball into orbit led to one of the worse spectacles seen at Hurn Bridge this season. Any football came in the first half with Wimborne having the first attempt when Christchurch defender Chris Dillon cleared a shot off the line in the 4th minute. At the other end Tom Price was using his pace to trouble the giant Wimborne centre backs and on 7 minutes Mark Smith slipped a ball to Price out on the left. The young striker cut inside and struck his shot against the Wimborne post with Alan Walker-Harris well beaten. On 23 minutes Christchurch should have opened the scoring when a Chris Dillon throw caused panic in the Wimborne box. The ball came out to Smith whose miss kicked shot found its way through to Gareth Barnes all alone in front of goal. Sadly for Christchurch Barnes shot went the wrong side of the post with Wimborne appealing in vain for offside. Four minutes later it and was Christchurch who were appealing in vain for an offside decision which never came. Dan Cann on the Wimborne left crossed for ex Christchurch player Liam Green to slot the ball past Stewart Kearn in the Christchurch goal and give the away side the lead. Ten minutes later and Christchurch had a golden opportunity to level the score. Tom Price again used his pace to get beyond Michael Walker but this time the last defender pulled Price to the ground and the penalty was awarded. Unusually the referee deemed the penalty enough punishment and despite Christchurch expecting the appearance of a red card none was forthcoming. Ex Wimborne player Mark Smith stepped up to the spot and drove the ball high, wide and not very handsome at all to spurn the chance of an equaliser.

Half time: Christchurch 0 Wimborne Town 1

The second half was truly a non-event with Christchurch unable to create any real chances and Wimborne content to sit back and absorb any attacks that Christchurch could muster. The only bright spot of a stop, start second period was when Wimborne midfielder Tommy McCormick crashed a twenty-yard shot against the post midway through the half.


Final score: Christchurch 0 Wimborne Town 1

Christchurch Man of the Match sponsored by “Den’s Diner” GARETH BARNES


The Bridgeman