CHRISTCHURCH v TOTTON AND ELING

Sydenhams Wessex Premier League

Match Result: 3 - 1

Goal Scorers: Marc Fairbrother, Tom Jeffes, Jacques Bernard

1. Stewart Kearn
2. Adam Costello
3. David Legg
4. Dan Crutchley
5. Steve Linpow
6. Martin Harris
7. Marc Fairbrother
8. Ben Lucas
9. Ben Osborne
10. Tom Jeffes
11. Paul Rideout

SUBS:

12. Jacques Bernard
14. Tom Price
15. Colin Dand
16. Simon Keates
17. Steve Green

It was a happy New Year for the hosts and especially 17 year old Jacques Bernard who was the toast of Hurn Bridge after coming on as substitute for the last 20 minutes and making one goal and scoring himself.

Both sides started well and it was easy to see why Totton are having a successful first season in the top flight. Firstly Ben Osborne headed wide and then skipper Dan Crutchley hit the bar from a David Legg cross whilst the visitors had two close range chances which were narrowly off target. Church made an early tactical switch with Ben Lucas having started in midfield and receiving an early booking moving back to his normal position of centre back and Dan Crutchley moving forward to take his place in midfield. This proved to be a very important move.

Shortly before the half hour mark Totton nearly took the lead when a fine left wing strike went just wide but then at the other end Church took the lead when Marc Fairbrother who was causing problems to the visitors defence cut in from the right and placed a left foot effort inside the far post. This spurred Totton on and for the last 5 minutes of the half they dominated play but thanks to fine defending Church retained their lead at the half time whistle.

The start of the second half started as the first finished and the visitors equalised on 46 minutes when a long throw into the box was not cleared and Marwood the Totton centre forward finished clinically from close range giving Kearn in the home goal no chance.

The game then ebbed and flowed from end to end with both sides spurning chances to take the lead but both Church substitutes were causing problems especially Tom Price with his pace but it was the other substitute Jacque Bernard who played in Tom Jeffes on 80 minutes who lobbed the keeper to put the home side ahead. Bernard himself then scored his first senior goal on 88 minutes when a left wing cross evaded everybody and he cut inside a defender to finish with some aplomb. A proud moment indeed for all connected with Christchurch especially his dad Tony.

This was an important win for Christchurch it being their first game for some 6 weeks against a good Totton & Eling outfit and especially it showed their fitness after such a long lay off. The next 10 days could well prove to be a major factor in how the season will finish as there is a quarter final Hants cup game and 2 league games in this period but it will see the return of influential midfielder Mark Smith and defender Dan Taylor to the fold after what must seem the longest suspensions ever!!

Man of the Match: David Legg

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