SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

CHRISTCHURCH v FAREHAM TOWN

MATCH RESULT: 3 - 1

GOAL SCORERS: MARK SMITH (2), BEN OSBORNE


1. STEWART KEARN
2. ADAM COSTELLO
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPT)
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. CALLUM BURT
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. PAUL ROBERTS
11. SAM GRIFFIN

SUBS USED:

JAMES BURDEN
JACK SWANN

Church returned to league action for the first time in two weeks after their cup exploits and it was business as usual at Hurn Bridge retaining their unbeaten home record but it was far from easy against a Fareham side who belied their league position and were unfortunate to find home keeper Stewart Kearn in superb form.

Church came close to netting in the first minute when Ben Osborne was denied an effort on goal by a desperate last ditch challenge and from the rebound Mark Smith curled his left foot shot just wide. The next 25 minutes were fairly even with the visitors showing plenty of threat and it took a fine save from Kearn after 26 minutes to deny them taking the lead. The opening goal came 3 minutes later when Osborne broke the offside trap and his fine chip was well saved by the Fareham keeper but Smith following up walked the ball into the net. It looked as if Fareham had equalised on the half hour mark but Kearn made a superb save from a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.


Kearn was again at his best in the first minute of the second half saving one handed from a twelve yard shot and whilst Church provided some neat passing movements the final pass was lacking and once again they were thankful for Kearn for preserving their lead after 66 minutes when a defensive slip up let in the visitors centre forward who was denied by the keeper pushing his shot round the post. Shortly after this though Church had a two goal cushion when leading scorer Osborne returned on the goal trail netting with a free kick from the edge of the penalty area. It was soon a three goal advantage with their best move of the match ending with Marc Fairbrother passing to the influential Mark Smith who netted with a fierce right foot shot from a difficult angle. This did not deter the visitors though and they got the goal they deserved finally beating Kearn when the impressive Wayne Bould was allowed to run across the field and netting from a difficult angle. Fareham continued to push forward but thanks to a couple of contentious offside decisions did not trouble Kearn again.

Manager Graham Kemp can be pleased of the return to winning ways whilst not at their best and climbing a place in the league table to fourth with games in hand and if these games are won second place will be attained.

MAN OF THE MATCH STEWART KEARN


Donners