SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

CHRISTCHURCH v TOTTON & ELING

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 1

GOAL SCORER: MARK SMITH

1. JASON COLLINS
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY
5. COLIN DAND
6. JACQUES BERNARD
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARK FAIRBROTHER
9. DAVE EWEN
10. BEN DICKENSON
11. PAUL RIDEOUT

SUBS USED:

BEN OSBORNE
BEN HATCH

A Mark Smith goal deep into injury time brought Christchurch a deserved draw after a second half performance that really should have resulted in all 3 points.

The home side started brightly and on 2 minutes Mark Smith was unfortunate not to score when firstly his fierce shot was charged down and from the rebound he fired over the bar. Youngster Ben Dickenson was continuing in a similar vein to Saturday with his pace causing problems but in their first attack of any note the visitors took the lead. A long ball down the left saw David Legg muscled off the ball possibly illegally and whilst the resulting shot was saved by Jason Collins in the home goal he was only able to palm the ball to Marwood who had the easy task of shooting into an empty net.
Church should have equalised on 11 minutes bur Adam Costello missed a clear header from a Smith corner but it was Totton who should have increased their lead on 19 minutes when they caused chaos in the home defence resulting in an effort off target. It was Costello again on 30 minutes who had two chances in the space of 30 seconds from two Smith corners when he was firstly denied with a headed opportunity and secondly shooting well over when well placed. The visitors at this stage were looking more likely to score and only a fine challenge by Colin Dand denied them a golden chance on 33 minutes.
The second half was totally one way traffic with Church spurning chance after chance the best probably being a Dave Ewen header on 48 minutes when a superb pass from Smith saw him with a free header from 5 yards that he put well wide. There was also a possible penalty on 62 minutes when Ben Dickenson was floored by two defenders in the area resulting in him being injured and substituted and early in injury time the visitors somehow scrambled the ball away. Just when it looked as if Church would never score maestro Smith who is Wimborne bound and was appearing at home for the last time was at the end of another fine passing movement and netted with a drive from the edge of the penalty area.
It was a fitting end for Smith who for the past two and a bit seasons has been an excellent performer for the club and the writer and indeed all concerned with the football club wish him well but a hasty return would be appreciated.
To sum the night up a point was well received in the end but in reality it should have been a win as the second half performance justified this as at times the passing and movement was a joy to behold but what a shame about the finishing.

Man of the Match: ADAM COSTELLO

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