HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINAl

CHRISTCHURCH v WINCHESTER CITY

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 3

GOAL SCORER: SAM GRIFFIN

1. TOM BROWN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPT)
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. CHRIS SMITH
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. CALLUM BURT
11. SAM GRIFFIN

SUBS USED:

COLIN DAND
JACK LOVELL
HARRY COOPER

Church finally exited the Hampshire Cup this time but not until they had put in a spirited effort against a lively Winchester side who on this showing must be firm favourites to win the Wessex league.

With keeper Kearn departed and his replacement Dan Loader cup tied youngster Tom Brown was in goal and he was quickly into the action saving well twice in the first 4 minutes. The visitors were showing their pedigree passing the ball well but Church began to use the flanks to good affect with Sam Griffin and Marc Fairbrother showing off their skills and forced 3 corners in quick succession around the 25 minute mark. However it was the visitors who were showing more threat in front of goal and Brown had to be at his best on a number of occasions to keep his goal intact. It came as a surprise when on 33 minutes Church took the lead when clever play by Ben Osborne set up Griffin who netted with a superb curled right foot shot. The lead did not last till half time though as after 41 minutes the leagues top scorer Jamie Wright netted from close range and Winchester were denied once again by Brown shortly before the break.

The visitors missed a golden chance to take the lead early in the second period when a free header went well wide and on the hour mark Church had their real only opportunity of the second half when Osborne was unable to get any real power on a Fairbrother cross with the ball going straight to the keeper. It was that man Wright again who put Winchester ahead on 70 minutes when he controlled a long clearance from his goalie and from fully 25 yards hit a shot into the net. This was quickly followed by a third goal from Lilley but Church did not give up the fight and youngsters Lovell and Cooper coming on as substitutes showed plenty of promise.

Manager Graham Kemp can take great heart from this performance after the Hamworthy result and can take great pride in the fact that this was the first defeat in all games at Hurn Bridge this season.

MAN OF THE MATCH CALLUM BURT CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY TOM BROWN.

Donners