SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE

ALRESFORD TOWN v CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT: 1 - 1

GOAL SCORER: SHAUN BRIAN

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

SUBS USED:

JACK LOVELL
HARRY COOPER

Playing at their bogey side Church dominated the game for long periods but in the end were indebted to a superb goal from defender Shaun Brian to come away with a share of the spoils.

Church started confidently passing the ball well but without really troubling the home keeper and their first real threat on goal came on 20 minutes with a move involving Mark Smith, Adam Costello and Sam Griffin resulting in a corner. Little had been seen of the home attack but they should have taken the lead after 28 minutes when a fine right wing run ended with a pass into the penalty area but from 10 yards and with a clear sight of goal the shot was well wide. Church continued to play some good football and nearly took the lead on the stroke of half time but only some fine defending denied James Burden a free header from a Ben Osborne cross.

Alresford started the second period by forcing a good save from Stewart Kearn from a 20 yard shot but Church then settled down and again began to dominate possession but it was not until the 71st minute that a real attempt on goal was made when Osborne turned and shot and his effort hit the post before finally being cleared. In the very next minute Griffin who was becoming a real threat was denied by the keeper after a fine Smith pass and youngster Jack Lovell was unlucky with his first touch after coming on as substitute with his shot being straight at the keeper. It looked as if it was only a matter of time before Church scored but as so often happens, especially at this venue , the home side scored on 83 minutes. However this Church side has plenty of character which it has shown on a number of occasions this season and this was no exception as 2 minutes after conceding the home side failed to clear a corner and from 20 yards Shaun Brian, who had been outstanding throughout, fired a superb volley into the roof of the net. Alresford came closing to snatching all 3 points but were denied by a fine save from Kearn and despite more Church pressure for the remainder of the game no real further attempts on goal were forthcoming.

Manager Graham Kemp can be pleased with the performance but must be a little concerned about the lack of fire power in the final third.

Donners