SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE
ALTON TOWN v CHRISTCHURCH
MATCH RESULT: 1 – 2
GOAL SCORERS: PAUL ROBERTS, JON GRACE
1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPTAIN)
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. SCOTT SANDERSON
7. PAUL ROBERTS
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. JAMES BURDEN
11. SAM GRIFFIN
SUBS USED:
MARK SMITH
JOE KITTLE
An injury time winner from Jon Grace gave Church all 3 points in a game that turned on 75 minutes with them being awarded a penalty and the home team reduced to 10 men.
A scrappy first 25 minutes was livened up when with the first real effort on goal resulted in the home side taking the lead. There looked like no real danger but from fully 30 yards Mark Clothier released a left foot thunderbolt which flew into the top corner of Stewart Kearns net. They nearly increased their lead ten minutes later when another long range effort was superbly saved by Kearn who was injured in the process. From the resulting corner Kearn was fouled but the culprit who had already been booked was let off but Jon Grace was booked for being too vocal!!
Mark Smith was introduced for the start of the second period but Kearn was the busier of the two keepers and produced another fine save on 55 minutes from a deflected shot. The game came to life after 75 minutes when the home keeper failed to collect cleanly a ball into the area and Ben Osborne’s effort was handled on the line resulting in a penalty and a sending off. Paul Roberts just scored from the spot and with further substitute Joe Kittle being introduced into the fray Church took control and firstly Shaun Brian shot just wide then James Burden and Mark Smith were denied by good saves. Just as the match was entering injury time Kearn was again at his best in saving a cross shot and then when Alton failed to clear a corner Scott Sanderson lobbed the ball across goal where Jon Grace netted with a looping header.
This win extended the unbeaten run to 10 games (5 wins 5 draws) against a side who were also in a fine vein of form and manager Graham Kemp should be congratulated on his substitutes and the team on their never say die spirit.
Donners

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE
CHRISTCHURCH v NEWPORT (IOW)
MATCH RESULT: 1 – 1
GOAL SCORER: BEN OSBORNE
1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPTAIN)
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. CHRIS SMITH
7. PAUL ROBERTS
8. SAM GRIFFIN
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. CALLUM BURT
11. JAMES BURDEN
SUBS USED:
MARK SMITH
BEN DICKENSON
JOE KITTLE
Christchurch extended their unbeaten run to 9 games (4 wins and 5 draws) thanks to a late equaliser by leading scorer Ben Osborne against an impressive Newport side.
Church were strangely lethargic for the first 15 minutes and the visitors came close to opening the scoring on 3 minutes when a goal bound effort was cleared off the line following a corner. It took the home side 21 minutes to test the visitor’s keeper and then he produced a superb save to deny a Sam Griffin header from an excellent James Burden cross. However it was Newport who looked more threatening and after 35 minutes they hit the post with a shot with keeper Kearn well beaten. Half time could not come quick enough and it was hoped a pep talk from manager Graham Kemp would re-produce some of Tuesday’s form.
The introduction of influential injured midfielder Mark Smith early in the second period resulted in more passing in midfield as up to this point the tall Newport team had dominated proceedings in the air but it was the visitors who took the lead on 63 minutes when a corner was not cleared and resulted in the unmarked Steve Hunter having a free header from close range. This inspired Church and with the introduction of further substitutes Dickenson and Kittle they laid siege on the Newport goal. However it was not all one way traffic as the visitors looked lively in their breakaways and just when it seemed as if a defeat was on the cards Newport failed to clear a corner and Osborne struck a superb shot from 20 yards that flew into the net on 88 minutes. This must rank as one of his best goals of the season and is probably the first he has scored from outside the penalty area for years!!
In the end a fair result against a very useful side but it must be very frustrating for the manager as after Tuesdays performance he would have expected a further 3 points.
MAN OF THE MATCH: SHAUN BRIAN
Donners

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE
CHRISTCHURCH v WINCHESTER CITY
MATCH RESULT: 2 – 0
GOAL SCORERS: CALLUM BURT, SHAUN BRIAN
1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPTAIN)
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. CHRIS SMITH
7. PAUL ROBERTS
8. SAM GRIFFIN
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. CALLUM BURT
11. JAMES BURDEN
SUB USED:
JOE KITTLE
Christchurch extended their unbeaten run to 8 games against the league leaders with an all round performance that must rank as one of the best of the season. It also included a goal that should go down in the hall of fame as amongst the best ever scored at Hurn Bridge.
Church started well with Callum Burt playing in an unusual role up front and combining well with James Burden down the left flank to cause the visitors back four problems. The opening goal when it came though came from the opposite flank when a Paul Roberts ball into the box looked not to be causing a problem but Burt came from nowhere to get between the goalkeeper and a defender to net with a superb header from 12 yards after 12 minutes. Burden and Burt combined again on 20 minutes to set up the hard working Ben Osborne who put his shot over the bar. A second goal was not long coming though when Winchester failed to clear a corner on 27 minutes and Shaun Brian took advantage to coolly shoot home from 10 yards. The game became a little feisty after this for a few minutes and on a couple of occasions the referee had to step in to cool matters down. Stewart Kearn in the home goal had his first shot to save on 37 minutes when he easily saved a 25 yard effort.
The second half was more or less a repeat of the first 45 minutes with Church looking the more likely to score with the visitors not really threatening Kearn due to sterling work by the Church midfield and back four and it was not until the last 10 minutes that with nothing to lose Winchester posed a threat.
Manager Graham Kemp can be rightly proud of his team which due to injuries was not at full strength and as previously stated with the hopeful departure of Poole and if he can retain all his squad next season prospects look very bright.
Donners

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE
CHRISTCHURCH v MONEYFIELDS
MATCH RESULT: 2 – 2
GOAL SCORERS: JON GRACE, PAUL ROBERTS
1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPTAIN)
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. CHRIS SMITH
7. PAUL ROBERTS
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. BEN DICKENSON
11. SAM GRIFFIN
SUBS USED:
CALLUM BURT
JAMES BURDEN
In a highly entertaining game at sunny Hurn Bridge, Church for the second consecutive Saturday were denied all 3 points by a late equaliser.
With influential midfielder Mark Smith injured manager Graham Kemp opted for Paul Roberts as his replacement and his strength and work rate were soon evident as the game was mainly played out in midfield for the first 45 minutes. Although neither keeper was seriously tested in this period it was far from boring and Church took the lead on the stroke of half time. The Moneyfields keeper had made a superb save resulting in a corner which was taken by Sam Griffin and Jon Grace headed in from close range for his second goal in two games.
The lead was short lived however as the impressive Dean Blake equalised for the visitors on 48 minutes with a superb volley from 18 yards. Moneyfields then had an impressive 10 minutes but the Church back four stood firm and denied them any real scoring chances. As the hosts came back into the game with pacey youngster Ben Dickenson looking threatening despite some rough treatment they took the lead on 74 minutes when Paul Roberts was on hand to net from close range although Jon Grace may claim his effort was already over the line !! Substitutes Callum Burt and James Burden were having a positive affect on the game but the visitors equalised after 85 minutes due to a series of errors. Firstly no one picked up the leagues leading scorer Warren Hunt from a free kick and although he turned and shot his weak effort was fumbled by keeper Stewart Kearn straight into the path of a Moneyfields player who squeezed the ball into net from an acute angle.
Christchurch extended their unbeaten run to 7 games and this was a match that was a credit to the Wessex League between sides seventh and eighth in the table and if as hopefully happens next season Poole are promoted there is a strong possibility that these two sides can improve on this season's positions.
The Christchurch man of the match selected by Mark Smith was given to Chris Smith for his hard working performance although goal scorers Grace and Roberts together with Shaun Brian gave him a good run for his money.
Donners

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE
HAYLING v CHRISTCHURCH
MATCH RESULT: 0 – 1
GOAL SCORER: JOE KITTLE
1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. COLIN DAND
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPTAIN)
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. JAMES BURDEN
11. SAM GRIFFIN
SUB USED:
JOE KITTLE
Firstly my apologies for such a short report but due to the lack of facilities it was very difficult to make any readable notes.
A well taken goal by substitute Joe Kittle shortly after his arrival into the fray on 68 minutes was sufficient for Church to notch their third consecutive away win in just over a week and extend their unbeaten run to 5 games.
On a bitterly cold evening and a playing surface that resembled the moon it was very difficult for either side to play any constructive football but it was Church who looked the better side in the first half and they came close to opening the scoring through Mark Smith on a couple of occasions but he was unable to get a good strike on the ball.
The second 45 minutes followed a similar pattern to the first 45 with Kearn largely untroubled and the only goal arrived when an excellent James Burden cross found the unmarked Kittle free in front of goal and he finished well from 10 yards. A second goal was almost forthcoming after 80 minutes when a superb Burden shot hit the bar/post. Kearn was forced into his only save shortly after 85 minutes when in their only real effort on goal he denied a home forward with his legs.
Yet again manager Graham Kemp can be proud of his teams efforts as despite being 4 players unavailable for various reasons it was a performance when all concerned gave their all on a very difficult pitch.
Donners

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE
ALRESFORD TOWN v CHRISTCHURCH
MATCH RESULT: 2 – 2
GOAL SCORERS: JON GRACE, PAUL ROBERTS
1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. COLIN DAND
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. DAN CRUTCHLEY
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE
10. JAMES BURDEN
11. SAM GRIFFIN
SUBS USED:
PAUL ROBERTS
CHRIS SMITH
SCOTT SANDERSON
An entertaining game well officiated ended up all even and Church extended their unbeaten run to 6 games, 5 of which have been away from Hurn Bridge.
Despite having virtually all his squad available manager Graham Kemp kept faith with the starting line up at Hayling.
Church were strangely lethargic for the opening 45 minutes and it came as no surprise when the hosts took the lead on 13 minutes when the impressive McEnery held off a challenge and beat the advancing Stewart Kearn with an impressive finish. There was very nearly a second goal for the home side prior to the break but Kearn saved well on a one on one situation.
Church had not really had an effort on goal in the first half but some strong words from manager Graham Kemp and the introduction of Paul Roberts into the fray after an hour had the desired affect and it came as no surprise with an equalising goal on 71 minutes, the only surprise being the scorer Jon Grace. Mark Smiths excellent free kick was headed into the net by Grace from close range. Church were now on top and the lively Roberts gave them the lead with a superb outside of the foot shot from 18 yards giving the keeper no chance. However the home side were not finished and again it was McEnery who netted after once again turning his marker but in reality the ball should never have reached him in the first place.
Both sides then had chances to win the game but on reflection a draw was a fair result.
Donners

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE
ROMSEY TOWN v CHRISTCHURCH
MATCH RESULT: 0 – 1
GOAL SCORER: PAUL ROBERTS
1. STEWART KEARN
2. JON GRACE
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPTAIN)
5.SHAUN BRIAN
6. SCOTT SANDERSON
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN DICKENSON
10. PAUL ROBERTS
11. SAM GRIFFIN
Christchurch maintained their excellent away form with a single goal victory but in reality the score should have been far more in a game they dominated throughout.
On a cold day on a difficult playing surface Church started well with Sam Griffin looking a threat from the outset but despite having the majority of the play the first real goal attempt was on 21 minutes when a Scott Sanderson shot was parried by the home keeper and Dan Crutchley following up netted only to be given offside. For the remainder of the half Church kept up the pressure but in reality did not really test the keeper as the pitch was proving very difficult to master.
The second half started with a goal on 46 minutes when a well flighted free kick by Ben Dickenson was headed home by the impressive Paul Roberts at the far post. It looked only a matter of time before a second goal followed but despite a number of balls going into the danger area it was not forthcoming. Romsey then made substitutions and only a top class save from Stewart Kearn and a block from Crutchley saved an equaliser after 71 minutes. Having survived 5 minutes of pressure from the home side Church again took control and Dickenson shot narrowly wide and Shaun Brian who gets better with every game had a header cleared off the line.
So Church can look forward to the next two away games at Hayling and Alresford with some confidence but I am sure they cannot wait to return to play at Hurn Bridge where they can pass the ball with no fear of the ball behaving strangely.
Donners

SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE
BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS v CHRISTCHURCH
MATCH RESULT: 1 – 2
GOAL SCORERS: MARK SMITH, SAM GRIFFIN
1. STEWART KEARN
2. JOE McGRATH
3. DAVID LEGG
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY (CAPT)
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. JON GRACE
7. MARK SMITH
8. MARC FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN DICKENSON
10. PAUL ROBERTS
11. SAM GRIFFIN
SUBS USED:
CALLUM BURT
JOE KITTLE
COLIN DAND
In possibly their best performance of the season Church came away from Western Way with all 3 points against a team still hankering with a chance of winning the league.
In a tight first half Church had the better of the chances with pacey youngsters Ben Dickenson (twice ) and Sam Griffin both going close to opening the scoring. The home side rarely troubled keeper Stewart Kearn in the first period due to sterling defence work by the back four backed up by the midfield especially skipper Dan Crutchley in an unaccustomed role.
All the fireworks came in the second period with the referee being replaced due to an injury on 50 minutes and then Church taking the lead after 54 minutes when Mark Smith finished superbly from 18 yards. The home side were rattled into life by this and after a period of sustained pressure equalised on 71 minutes when the unfortunate Jon Grace after his weeks holiday in Tenerife headed into his own net. However this did not deter Church and the home side were fortunate not to be reduced to 9 men having had 2 players booked in the first half and the same players being involved in further incidents which a stronger referee would have taken further action. Mark Smith was now showing his class in midfield and with the introduction of Callum Burt they were both involved on 82 minutes in setting up Sam Griffin for the deciding goal which he finished in some style from 8 yards after turning his defender. Despite pressure from Bemerton and injury time of some 9 minutes it was still Church who looked the more likely to add to the scoreline and Joe Kittle was unlucky to be judged offside when he netted from a Burt cross.
All 14 players and manager Graham Kemp deserve praise for this well deserved victory especially after a winless 5 game run and they can look forward to an interesting game on Saturday against league leaders Winchester.
Donners

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE
CHRISTCHURCH v POOLE TOWN
MATCH RESULT: 0 – 6
1. STEWART KEARN
2. JOHN GRACE
3. SCOTT SANDERSON
4. DAN CRUTCHLEY ©
5. COLIN DAND
6. CHRIS SMITH
7. MARC SMITH (BURT, 72)
8. MARK FAIRBROTHER
9. BEN OSBORNE (GRIFFIN, 60)
10. PAUL ROBERTS
11. JAMES BURDEN (DICKENSON, 45)
SUBS:
12. CALLUM BIRT
14. SAM GRIFFIN
15. BEN DICKENSON
16. DAVID LEGG
17. STEVE LINPOW
Anyone hoping for a repeat of this seasons away fixture went away extremely disappointed. The 5-5 classic at Poole will live long in the memory; this was a game all at Church will hope to forget instantly.
A solid start by Christchurch was instantly undone by sloppy play in the 10th minute.
GOAL, Osborne’s misdirected pass in midfield saw a first time through ball release Poole’s Smith in the inside right channel. Pushed slightly wide by keeper Kearn the Poole forward squared the ball to Preston, who scored unopposed from 8 yards.
Fairbrother trying his best to drag Church back into the game was cynically bought down two minutes after the restart. This signalled a twenty minute spell where a series of niggly challenges disrupted the flow of the game.
A good block challenge from Dand prevented Church from going two down in the 29th minute when the home side failed to deal with a long throw.
Six minutes later a poor decision by the referee saw Chris Smith booked, the Church midfielder judged to have committed a foul when he looked to be the victim. This decision was to prove crucial as just seven minutes later Smith received a second yellow for obstructing a Poole free kick, the ball being smashed at him as he tried to retreat ten yards.
It looked like Christchurch would go into the break with only a one goal deficit, but with seconds remaining until the half time whistle.
GOAL, Cann picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box following a free kick finished with a smart right foot volley low to Kearns’ right.
HALF TIME
Dickenson a half time substitute showed promise with two good runs early in the second half, the second of which forced a corner. However from this attacking position Church fell further behind.
GOAL, the corner was cleared to the edge of the box and a long punt saw Smith in behind Sanderson, the Church midfielder playing in an unfamiliar left back role was unlucky to foul the Poole forward inside the penalty area. Hubbard duly converted the spot kick high into the roof of the net.
With the game now effectively over it was just a question of how many Poole would score. Despite a series of opportunities good goalkeeping and last ditch defending kept the score respectable until the last ten minutes.
Former Church favourite Tom Jeffes on as a second half substitute for the visitors dispossessed Birt in midfield and with the help of a wicked deflection scored from 25 yards. Then in the 86th minute Poole captain Walker scored with a free header from 10 yards.
Preston then scored his second and arguably the goal of the game when he ran fully forty yards down the left wing, finishing with a powerful left foot drive beyond Kearns despairing dive.
FULL TIME
B.Whitehouse

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE
MONEYFIELDS v CHRISTCHURCH
MATCH RESULT: 3 – 1
GOAL SCORER: BEN DICKENSON
1. STEWART KEARN
2. JOE McGRATH
3. DAVID LEGG
4. JON GRACE (CAPTAIN )
5. SHAUN BRIAN
6. CHRIS SMITH
7. MARK SMITH
8. SCOTT SANDERSON
9. JOE KITTLE
10. BEN DICKENSON
11. CALLUM BURT
SUBS USED:
PAUL ROBERTS
MARC FAIRBROTHER
JAMES BURDEN
In difficult conditions and against tough opposition Church finished the week by losing their third game in 7 days.
Playing against the wind in the first period Church found it hard to play their normal passing game and the home side took the lead on 26 minutes when after a period of sustained pressure a corner was not cleared and a goal was scored from close range. The visitors had the perfect reply 5 minutes later though when a neat pass from Mark Smith resulted in Ben Dickenson volleying home from 10 yards. Church had battled hard for the first 45 minutes and must have thought with the conditions in their favour the second half would be an easier proposition.
However the second half started badly with Moneyfields being awarded a penalty after 53 minutes for a dubious hand ball from which they retook the lead. Despite pressuring the home side for the remainder of the game they were denied by resolute defending and the home side had the final say on 88 minutes with a crisp finish from a left wing cross.
Christchurch will be glad to see the end of this week but the remaining fixtures in February are difficult and improved performances will be required if they are to maintain their position in the table.