SYDENHAMS PREMIER LEAGUE (WESSEX)

ALTON TOWN v CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT: 3 – 3

GOAL SCORERS: SAM GRIFFIN (2), BEN OSBORNE

1. MAX FRAMPTON
2. DAN THOMPSON
3. DAN STEER
4. DAVID LEGG (CAPT)
5. BILLY WALKER
6. BRAD MAGOOKIN
7. JAMES BURDEN
8. SAM GRIFFIN
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. RUSSELL COOK
11. HARRY CORNICK

SUBS USED:

JOE KITTLE
ADAM COSTELLO

Departing manager Graham Kemp will certainly remember his last game in charge of Church and certainly the last eleven minutes,but for all the wrong reasons. Leading by three goals with just eleven minutes remaining Church contrived to concede three goals in that period resulting in the hosts obtaining a draw.

Church started confidently and took the lead on ten minutes when departing youngster Harry Cornick regained possesion and fed Ben Osborne who netted cooly from 10 yards. It was soon two nil with Sam Griffin scoring another of his spetacular goals cutting in from the left wing and unleashing a powerful drive which hit both posts before nestling in the net. Alton whilst passing the ball neatly took some 37 minutes to threaten the Church goal resulting in a fine challenge from Billy Walker and from the resulting corner Max Frampton tipped an effort over the bar. Just before half time it was Griffin who netted again following a superb back heel from Russell Cook but he still had plenty to do but he beat the keeper with consumate ease. Half time three up surely game over!!

Alton started the second period showing great determination to reduce the arrears but Church came close to increasing their lead on the hour mark when a Griffin free kick was tipped onto the bar by the keeper. Whilst enjoying good possession the hosts rarely looked like scoring until that fateful eleven minutes. Firstly a clearance hit another Church defender and rebounded into the net after 79 minutes and then two minutes later their pacey forward lobbed Frampton to make it 2-3. Matters got worse on 90 minutes when a free kick was not cleared and a header ended up in the net for the equaliser.

A disappointing end but 106 goals scored, 84 points attained and third place for the second consecutive season which is a marvellous achievement for Graham Kemp and his management team. Finally thank you Graham for an excellent six years in charge and this from someone who did not vote for you!!

Donners

SYDENHAMS PREMIER LEAGUE (WESSEX)

CHRISTCHURCH v HAYLING UNITED

MATCH RESULT: 3 – 1

GOAL SCORER: HARRY CORNICK, BEN OSBORNE, RUSSELL COOK

1. MAX FRAMPTON
2. DAN THOMPSON
3. BRAD McGOOKIN
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPT)
5. BILLY WALKER
6. KARKL YELLAND
7. JAMES BURDEN
8. SAM GRIFFIN
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. RUSSELL COOK
11. HARRY CORNICK

SUB USED:

DANNY STEER

It was back to normal for Church with another home win but it was far from easy against a Hayling side who played attractive football and made life difficult for the hosts.

Church had the ideal start when a floated cross from Russell Cook was headed in by Harry Cornick (a rare occurrence) from five yards and it looked only a matter of time before more goals arrived as the ball was being passed neatly with James Burden at the forefront of most attacks. However as the visitors settled they nearly equalised on 23 minutes but Max Frampton in the Church goal did well to save a free kick. Church increased their lead after 31 minutes when they were given what looked like a soft penalty which was duly converted by Ben Osborne who rather than using his normal power style tucked the ball into the corner of the net.

Hayling started the second period strongly and came close on a couple of occasions but at the other end Cook was showing his considerable skills and had an effort well saved and hit the bar in close succession. The visitors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area on 70 minutes which was turned round the post by Frampton but from the resulting corner a free header resulted in a goal. Both sides looked dangerous going forward but shortly after Church twice came close to increasing their lead they eventually did on 83 minutes in questionable circumstances. Hayling claimed handball in the Church penalty area which was not given and the ball was played to Cook who ran some 50 yards before firing a fierce drive into the net from 18 yards.

So another game passes and it looks as if another three points from the remaining three games will be sufficient to attain third place. Also only another four goals are required to reach the 100 mark which will be a first for the club and finally a mention for youngster Billy Walker on his full debut. He did not look out of place at all and yet again what a compliment to the Church youth policy.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

JAMES BURDEN

Donners

SYDENHAMS PREMIER LEAGUE (WESSEX)

G E HAMBLE v CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT: 1 – 3

GOAL SCORERS:BEN OSBORNE (2), HARRY CORNICK

1. MAX FRAMPTON
2. DAN THOMPSON
3. DANNY STEER
4. KARL YELLAND
5. DAVID LEGG
6. JAMES BURDEN
7. MARK SMITH (CAPT)
8. SAM GRIFFIN
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. RUSSELL COOK
11. HARRY CORNICK

SUB USED:

BILLY WALKER

Never an easy place to come too, Church were good value for all three points in a match that once they regained the lead on 65 minutes they dominated play and were unlucky not to win by a larger margin.

Church created the first chance on two minutes when skipper Mark Smith played a neat pass to Harry Cornick whose pace took him clear and whose shot was saved by the home keeper resulting in a corner. At the other end Church were fortunate not to concede after ten minutes when a free header from a corner was headed wide and shortly after Max Frampton had to be alert to tip a shot onto the bar and over. Church should have taken the lead on 23 minutes when a fine Sam Griffin cross left Ben Osborne with a free header from five yards but somehow he headed over the bar but Osborne was not to be denied and on the stroke of half time he got the final touch to a Sam Griffin header from a Smith corner to open the scoring.

As in the norm Church started the second period slowly and Hamble twice came close close to netting before they eventually equalised on 55 minutes with a header from a corner which was helped into the net by a Church player (more on this later). It was not long though before Church regained the lead when once again Osborne netted in a goalmouth scramble after 65 minutes and then Church dominated with the home side not really testing Frampton. There was time for a cameo performance from yet another Church youngster Billy Walker who looked very comfortable at this level despite playing out of position and in the final minute Harry Cornick made up for his own goal with a neat goal after being set up by Osborne.

After the game manager Graham Kemp announced his intention to manage Winchester next season and we wish well in his new venture but after the recent performances of Church one does wonder that if the current squad remain and the youngsters coming through that he may have departed too soon.

Donners

SYDENHAMS PREMIER LEAGUE (WESSEX)

CHRISTCHURCH v ALRESFORD TOWN

MATCH RESULT: 3 – 0

GOAL SCORERS:RUSSELL COOK (2), SAM GRIFFIN

1. MAX FRAMPTON
2. DAN THOMPSON
3. DANNY STEER
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY CAPT)
5. DAVID LEGG
6. KARL YELLAND
7. MARK SMITH
8. SAM GRIFFIN
9. RUSSELL COOK
10. JAMES BURDEN
11. HARRY CORNICK

SUB USED:

BEN OSBORNE

In possibly one of their best displays of the season Church ended the 17 match winning streak of the visitors with a convincing win.

The first ten minutes were played at a frantic pace and it was Church who came close to taking the lead on eleven minutes when a goal mouth scramble ensued which was only just cleared by the visitors. Alresford then had their first effort on goal after 21 minutes but Max Frampton made a fine save and then two minutes after Church took the lead. Youngster Harry Cornick was put in the clear and his shot was pushed out by the keeper to Russell Cook who from 15 yards hit a fierce drive into the net. After this it was clear to see why the visitors had been enjoying such a successful season as twice in quick succesion Frampton was called upon to make excellent saves. As the half came to an end Cook hit the post for Church but he was not be denied as on the stroke of half time he was fouled in the penalty area and got up to easily score from the spot.

Church got over their normal bad start to the second 45 minutes and Cornick was unlucky with a shot on 57 minutes but generally the visitors were second best due to the hard work and effort of the Church defence and midfield and every time the home side attacked they looked dangerous. The pivotal moments came with 10 minutes left when firstly Frampton made his best save of the match from a 25 yard free kick and then in the very next minute Sam Griffin controlled a long Dan Thompson throw, neatly turned his marker to score from close range. As Alresford pushed forward leaving gaps at the back Church twice came close to increasing their lead when Ben Osborne and Sam Griffin were denied by the keeper.

This win pushes Church to third in the league with games in hand and if only they could have performed in this manner against some of the teams below them in the league then it may have been an even loftier position.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

MAX FRAMPTON

Donners

SYDENHAMS PREMIER LEAGUE (WESSEX)

NEW MILTON TOWN v CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT: 2 – 3

GOAL SCORERS: BEN OSBORNE, MARK SMITH (2)

1. MAX FRAMPTON
2. KARL YELLAND
3. DANNY STEER
4. DAVID LEGG
5. BRAD McGOOKIN
6. JAMES BURDEN
7. MARK SMITH (CAPT)
8. SAM GRIFFIN
9. BEN OSBORNE
10.RUSSELL COOK
11.MARC FAIRBROTHER

SUB USED:

DAN CRUTCHLEY

After their superb performance two days earlier in beating Newport (IOW) 6-3 in a pulsating game it was always going to be difficult playing a local derby and the match was not helped by some strange decisions by the officials but at the end of the day it was another three points.

It was the home side who started the better of the two teams and keeper Max Frampton had to be alert making good saves after two minutes and seventeen minutes but in their first real attack Church took the lead on the half hour mark. Sam Griffin played an excellent through ball to leading scorer (just) Ben Osborne who neatly rounded the keeper to net. This you would think would settle Church down but this being Church certainly not!! Shortly after this a 30 yard shot hit the Church bar and from the rebound it was adjudged that a foul had been commited in the penalty area whereas firstly it was debatable if the Church player had been the guilty party and secondly and most importanly the offence occurred some yards outside the penalty area. The penalty was easily converted and the scores level. Shortly before the interval Sam Griffin had a header cleared off the line and the first 45 minutes finished with honours even.

It was New Milton who started the second period the livelier of the two teams and a dangerous cross on 46 minutes was only just defended but it was Church who took the lead after 55 minutes when Russell Cook crossed and Mark Smith, who had supplied five assists in the Newport game, netted at the second attempt from close range. The lead again was not to last long as two minutes later the home side equalised with a goal that looked offside from a free flowing move. Church pressed for the remainder of the game but Frampton had to make a fine save with 10 minutes left in a rare New Milton attack but just as it looked as if a draw was on the cards up popped Smith again to net with a 20 yard shot that went under the keeper. There was then some six minutes of injury time that Church comfortably played out.

So manager Graham Kemp has had a good week as his team went to third place in the league but he must rue the games when Church have dropped points as they could well have been in top place.

Donners

SYDENHAMS PREMIER LEAGUE (WESSEX)

CHRISTCHURCH v FAWLEY AFC

MATCH RESULT: 2 – 2

GOAL SCORERS: RUSSELL COOK, CHRIS DILLON

1. MAX FRAMPTON
2. DAN THOMPSON
3. DANNY STEER
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (C)
5. CHRIS DILLON
6. DAVID LEGG
7. MARK SMITH
8. SAM GRIFFIN
9. RUSSELL COOK
10. JAMES BURDEN
11. HARRY CORNICK

SUBS USED:
BRAD MAGOOKIN

Church’s slim hope of winning the league all but disappeared in a game that they went two nil up in the first 18 minutes but then conceded sloppy goals and despite constant pressure were unable to net a winner. After seven minutes Sam Griffin was denied by ex Church keeper Joe Prodomo but four minutes later the home side took the lead with Chris Dillon netting with a left foot shot when the visitors failed to clear a Mark Smith corner. Max Frampton in the Church goal was called into action on 15 minutes saving well in a one on one situation but most of the action was at the other end and it came as no surprise when Church netted again after 18 minutes. Some fine interplay between Griffin and Russell Cook ended with the latter heading in the formers cross. It was all plain sailing at this point and Church came close to increasing their lead on a number of occasions before the visitors were gifted a goal on 40 minutes. A back pass from some 30 yards nowhere near keeper Frampton was gobbled up by a Fawley forward who rolled the ball into an empty net.
Matters got worse for Church at the start of the second period when they gifted another goal. Frampton saved well but instead of clearing the ball it was passed back to a Fawley player who despite mis- kicking the ball found the back of the net. The rest of the game was mainly played in the Fawley half but despite this Church did not really test their keeper as a number of chances were either wide or over the bar.
So manager Graham Kemp must be concerned that a game that was all but won early on resulted in two points being dropped but considering the number of games recently played it is no surprise that tiredness took its toll.

MAN OF THE MATCH: SAM GRIFFIN