Branksome v Christchurch

Match Result: 2 – 7

Goal Scorers: Philip Pollard (2), Sam Woodward (2), Harry Chapman (2), Benjamin Wikeley

What an achievement! Steve, Phil and I are so proud of the boys. Not only did this win clinch the legal title for us but it meant we have gone the whole season unbeaten in the league and have scored 101 goals. We’ve also conceded the joint lowest (22) but Greenfields have 3 games left so may well concede more.

You can’t really ask a lot more than that at the start of the season.

As for the game itself; we played well from kick off. Their ‘keeper, Craig, always plays well against us and seemed in the mood to stop everything. It took just under the half hour for us to score with Ben smashing in from close range and then this was followed up two minutes later by Philip making it two-nil at half time. Branksome had one really good long range shot which I think many of us expected to go in but it just went over the bar.

In the second half we scored 3 in ten minutes. The first was from Sam after a great pass by Harry, Harry then scored and Sam added our 5th. Credit to Branksome though who pulled one back immediately from the restart with a great move down our left. And this happened again. Harry scored after 20 minutes and they immediately replied. Philip scored our 7th on the half hour and that was it.

A special couple of mentions; Lee the Branksome manager was extremely generous throughout the game and after and about 8.00pm I received a really nice text from Sheriff (Greenfields) congratulating us.

Kingswood v Christchurch

Match Result: 2 – 4

Goal Scorers:Harry Chapman, Philip Pollard, Ethan Maddocks, Callum O’Hare

There is always a special feeling to an evening game and the fact this was the penultimate game for both us and Kingswood and in both our cases 6 points from the two games would give us the lead added some extra spice.

We started the better team and kept Kingswood pinned in their half for most of the opening 20 minutes. It has been a frustration of the second half of the season that our goals scored to chances created ratio has dropped significantly but in the 12th minute some neat footwork from Sam created himself space and he put a great ball through to Harry who scored clinically. Kingswood have improved significantly throughout the season and just like the game a few weeks ago Reuben was a constant danger and just after 20 minutes he raced through on to a pass and put the ball past our out-rushing ‘keeper to make it one all and from our point of view not at all reflective of the game. The remainder of the half was very competitive and despite dominating territory we didn’t really created any real chances.

The second half started much the same – we played some really nice football but despite getting into goal scoring situations we wouldn’t shoot – our frustration increased ten-fold when a seemingly innocent ball into our area which we appeared to be in control of was allowed to bounce and Reuben headed in. There is a low sun at Ferndown and I assume the fact we were playing into it at this stage distracted us. Anyway this would be a real test of our character. Kingswood’s tails were up understandably and their parents were very vocal.

What character we showed though. Within 2 minutes of Kingswood taking the lead we were 3 – 2 up. The first was a great run down the left by Max who crossed into the box where Philip side-footed in on the volley and the second was an unstoppable long-range shot from Callum. Ethan added a 4th on the 20 minute mark. We could not relax though; Kingswood kept attacking and competing throughout but were looking less of a threat up front because of an injury to Tommy.

The last 15 minutes seemed an eternity but we made it. Well down to all the boys. We have just the one game left which is away at Branksome on Sunday.

Poole Town v Christchurch
Match Result: 2 – 2
Goal Scorer: Harry (2)

Just to correct an error in the report last week. It was our last HOME game not last game.
Today was set up to be pivotal in terms of the whole season with two games involving the top 4 teams. Whilst we were playing Poole Town, Kingswood were playing Greenfields.
We started well. Harry scored after two minutes finishing off close-in after a great piece of unselfish play by Sam and playing with the wind behind us we dominated possession and territory. Poole are a good side though and a great turn in the box by their number 11 created himself some space and he finished well. That was in the 16th minute and the half continued with us dominating but Poole Town always looking a threat when they attacked.
The second half started off more even but after 9 minutes a terrific long range shot put Poole 2 – 1 up. We showed tremendous character though and deservedly equalised with Harry adding his second. It made for a nervous finish and Poole were unlucky after hitting the bar twice.
All in all we were pleased with a draw and waited anxiously to hear news of the Kingswood v Greenfields game.
In the event Kingswood won which means the league title remains in our own hands.

Christchurch v Corfe Mullen
Match Result: 3 – 0
Goal Scorers: Ethan, Harry, Callum
This was our last game of the season and unfortunately I missed it. By all accounts it was very much a repeat of our first game against Corfe Mulllen only a few weeks ago – a 3 – 0 win to us with Corfe Mullen very difficult to breakdown and then us being less than ruthless in front of goal when we did get the opportunity.
We went ahead in the first half but it was late on in the second before we were able to add two more.
Its a big week next week. As well as Mother's Day all top 4 teams are playing each other.

Christchurch v Kingswood
Match Result: 3 – 2
Goal Scorers: Olly, Harry, George.
Blimey we got out of jail today.
Kingswood started on fire and Reuben put them into an early lead with a lovely header over Jeremy in the 6th minute and we were grateful when he put one over the bar which could have made it two. In the 12th minute Harry crashed a thunderous drive into the roof which was our first shot on goal. The rest of the first half it was all Kingswood and Jean-Nicol put them ahead again just before the half hour after a great move. Two minutes later George scored a cracking long range shot. We were delighted with two each at half time; it should have been much worse.
We played much better in the second half which made for a really competitive and exciting game. Mid way through the half Bubba put Olly through and he scored to put us ahead for the first time. The game on the pitch next to us was Grange against Greenfields and Grange equalised with their last kick of the game making that one all (I don't know how; Greenfields hit the woodwork 4 times) meaning if we clung onto a win the league was back within our hands. And that's what happened really – we did cling on and go top as a result.
Well done to our boys. I'm very proud with their attitude today. They never gave up and did not turn on each other when we were behind. But bad luck to Kingswood who deserved more out of the game.

Christchurch v Highcliffe Hawks
Match Result: 5 – 1
Goal Scorers: Olly (2), Harry, Philip, Max
This was the third time we've played Highcliffe this season (we played them in the Bournemouth Cup) and another good win.
Both teams played football in a match made all the more interesting since so many of the boys from both sides play for Twynham School. Olly Balmer was on holiday last week but marked his return with a goal after 10 minutes, Harry (also missing last week) added a second after 18 minutes and 5 minutes later Philip added our third. Highcliffe didn't not give up though and pulled one back on the half hour.
In the second half Olly scored one early on and half way through the half it was great to see Max score our 5th.

Corfe Mullen v Christchurch
Match Result: 0 – 3
Goal Scorers: Philip (2), Bubba
Once again it seems most games were off today so well done to Corfe Mullen for being able to get this game played. There had been a hard frost overnight but by midday it was thawing. Understandably the pitch cut up badly during the game and walking across it after the match made you realise how well both teams had done to cope with the conditions.
We passed well from kick off and had a couple of early chances. The 'keeper tipped the second (a shot from Ethan) over the bar and from the corner the ball broke to Philip who scored from just outside the box. We are struggling to convert all our chances at the moment and today was no exception. We played the ball around really nicely but all our shots seemed to clear the bar. Corfe Mullen created one chance when Jem went down bravely their striker's feet.
We were uphill second half but seemed to dominate even more. After 18 minutes we were awarded a penalty after Philip was brought down and he converted it confidently. Bubba added our third 5 minutes later and that was that. Jem had little to do second half.
All in all a very good performance and very well reffed by a chap who didn't stop talking to the boys and explained every decision.

CHRISTCHURCH v BRANSGORE
MATCH RESULT: 7 – 2
GOAL SCORERS: OLLY, DREW (2), BUBBA, CHARLIE, SAM, HARRY
After the disappointment of last week this was a big game and so very delighted not only with the win but the conduct of all the boys today.
I don't think any of us understand Bransgore's lowly league position considering they boast some very good players and as if to prove the point despite us taking an early lead thanks to a shot from George which Olly diverted in Bransgore came back to lead 2 – 1 with Liam scoring two in five minutes mid-way through the half. That seemed pretty harsh on us considering the number of chances we were creating and it was very pleasing that our boys did not start arguing or bickering but simply got on with the game. And to their credit within two minutes of the restart Drew equalised and three more goals followed in the next six minutes giving us a 5 – 2 half time lead.
Sam made his debut in the second half scoring twelve minutes in and Harry completed the scoring with a brilliant shot after twenty minutes.
With the pace of Liam and our ex player Josh, Bransgore were a continual threat and Dec was forced into action a couple of times before the end of the game.
This was like the Christchurch of old and with performances and behaviour like this lets hope we can win games and win back some friends!

BYFL Cup Semi Final
Greenfields v Christchurch
Match Result: 2 – 0
Greenfields edged a game played between two very even sides. We seemed to dominate territory early on but after 5 minutes an outstanding strike from Lewis flew in to the net with nothing Jeremy could do.
We were getting stronger and creating good chances in the second half but then conceded a penalty which they converted and that took the steam out of us a bit. I can't remember us ever having not scored in a game but am sure it must have happened at some point.
Well done to the appointed ref. No complaints at all about the penalty nor our 2 bookings – we must learn that we won't win friends or games by arguing every decision.
Good luck to Greenfields in the final and they are now in pole position for a League/Cup double.
Michael

Christchurch v Bournemouth Electric
Match Result: 3 – 1
Goal Scorers: Olly (2), Bubba
Very windy today but the game was much better than you might have expected. We have now played both promoted teams twice and it speaks volumes to them that the results in both have been much closer second time around.
The wind was mostly accross the pitch but if anyone had the advantage in the first half it was us and we were three nil up at half time; two goals from Ollie and one from Bubba. Electric are a very organised team though and they pulled one back in the second and had chances to score a second.
We hit the bar in each half and created a huge number of chances but their pace up front was a constant threat and so this was never a comfortable win.