Pictured are the players who represented the Club in our final match of the season against Everton.
I would like to thank all players and parents for making this such a successful season on and off the pitch.
Under 8 team that played the last game of the season against Everton
BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
CHRISTCHURCH v GREENFIELDS
MATCH RESULT: 3 – 3
So the season ended for Christchurch as it had started all those months ago, only this time we had a level playing field in that it was 11 v 11 unlike the previous encounters.
The importance of this game was apparent to all who were there and it may well prove to be the game that decides who wins the league.
For Christchurch it was our final game having remained unbeaten in the league since that opening day defeat at the hands of Greenfields and Greenfields have a similar record having lost only one game themselves but still with 6 games to play following successful runs in both cups.
The match itself was a great advert for youth football with good football played by both sides. Christchurch had the first chance with Ruben latching on to a through ball and but for some brave goalkeeping he would have scored.
The first goal was always going to be important and Greenfields scored following some good approach play. The linesman did flag the goal offside but he was over ruled by the referee and opinion was divided as to who was right, never the less the goal stood.
Christchurch responded well and after some great hold up play by Ruben he then played in Jack who curled a shot into the far corner against his old team which he clearly enjoyed.
Greenfields then scored a second when a cross into the box bounced just out of reach of Ollie H and Ben Cooper met the cross and headed into the roof of the net. No sooner had the game restarted and Ruben equalised after some good pressuring by the front 3 leading to a charged down clearance and a tap in.
The teams turned around all square which was a fair result at this point. The team talk was all about keeping things solid and doing our jobs well.
The second half was as tight as the first and Christchurch had a gilt edged chance to take the lead for the first time only for the shot to go over the bar. We then rode our luck with some crucial saves from Jem and some timely clearances before they scored a third through Adam. This was the third time we had been behind and I honestly thought that we might not come back for a third occasion only to see the boys prove me wrong. The goal to equalise was worthy of the occasion with Olly B volleying home from 30 yards.
This proved to be the final score and honours were even. Greenfields now have it in their own hands and have 6 games to make up the goal difference of 45. If they achieve this then they deserve to win the league. We have done all we can and I couldn’t be more proud of the whole squad and the season we have had following the opening game and the taunts that were levelled at us as a club, remarks which were later removed but not before they had made their mark.
Special thanks to all the parents from Phil and myself for all your support this year and a special thanks to the two Sams who I was unable to introduce this evening as I honestly couldn’t see how I could change things without effecting our momentum.
A great season regardless of where we now finish well done to all.
BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
CHRISTCHURCH v CORFE MULLEN JUNIORS
MATCH RESULT: 2 – 1
First competitive game in a couple of weeks and against one of the better teams in our league.
Another big ask for the boys but if we are to keep the momentum going we know we need to keep winning.
The game got off to a flyer and within the first couple of minutes some good link up play between Ollie B and Ruben saw Ruben power his way towards goal and following some bravery by him he managed to smash his shot into the top corner of the goal before it flew back out off the stanchion. Unfortunately for us the ref didn’t see it and the linesman claimed not to see it which was made all the more incredible when their coaching staff admitted to seeing it from the same side of the pitch. Fortunately for us in the same passage of play the ball came back to Ruben and he managed to put it in the bottom of the net this time which everyone saw.
It stayed one nil until about 20 minutes in when we scored a goal as good as I have seen in Junior football. The move started in the left back position and there was great inter play between Max, Ethan and Jack. The move advanced down the pitch and some more slick passing in the final third freed Ruben on the left flank who cut in and pulled the ball back along the 6 yard box. Phillip controlled it dummied the defender and slotted home.
2 – 0 at half time and as we predicted we knew that it was going to be a sterner test second half with the wind and slope against us. Corfe mixed it up well with some slick passing in midfield and some clipped balls over the top. It was one of these balls that caused confusion in the defence and the ball was rolled in to an empty net. That left us with 20 minutes to see out.
Chances came and went at both ends and we held on for a hard earned victory against a strong and committed Corfe side.
Some notable performances today from Brandon in the middle of the park and Ruben up front who put in a powerhouse performance which probably accounts for but doesn’t excuse the inappropriate comments from some of the opposition parents, but I don’t want that to undermine the achievement.
Quick mention also for the subs today who were very patient in waiting for their chance. Remember it is the squad who will determine where we finish in this league not just the eleven on the pitch.
BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
CHRISTCHURCH v POOLE TOWN
MATCH RESULT: 4 – 2
Another Sunday and another difficult fixture to deal with.
Poole Town have always been competitive in this age group and their current crop are no different.
No Bubba this week so we started with Sam T as an emergency right back with Jack on that side with him. Other than that the team was the same that started the week before with Phillip and Sam R as subs.
The game was really open with both teams having a lot of chances and but for some good goalkeeping and poor finishing it could have finished 8 all!
The first half saw us score three unanswered goals 2 of which came from corners which was pleasing from Phil and my point of view because we worked on that at the last training session (Ferguson eat your heart out). The first one from Rubens head and one from Ethan both sandwiched in between a goal from Jack. As I said to the boys at half time 3 nil flattered us and if Poole had taken the 2 clear cut opportunities they created it would have been a different team talk that followed.
The second half saw Poole Town score the first goal of the half but just as they thought they were getting back in it Ollie B caused some confusion between the defender and goalie and toe poked home from close range. There after we looked to play the game out and used our substitutes for the final 10 minutes. Poole Town did manage another goal but I never felt we were going to be beaten and we saw the game out.
This was in contrast to last week a competent but not all encompassing performance but the boys are entitled to let their guard down occasionally as long as we still get the result.
Four games to go I believe and all to play for who’d have thought it after that first game of the season when everyone was proclaiming our crown had slipped.
Quick mention for George in the Poole Town defence today a good accomplished display against Ollie and Ruben going backwards and some good touches and distribution going forward.
Well done boys stay focussed and who knows we might just retain the league title with hard work endeavour and belief.
BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
KINGSWOOD YOUTH v CHRISTCHURCH
MATCH RESULT: 0 – 3
This was the first game back after the Christmas break and we couldn’t have asked for a harder one. The rivalry between these two clubs has always been there but today had an added spice after Ruben decided earlier in the season that his future lay with Christchurch.
The team talk focussed on the boys winning their own personal battle and one of the keenest battles would be how our centre backs dealt with Tommy who every one recognises is a class act.The fact we kept a clean sheet indicates this battle was won and between them Tom and Ollie did a great job. This partnership goes from strength to strength and their understanding of each others game was first class.
At the other end of the pitch it was all about Ruben for Kingswood today and they knew what they would be up against. After about 20 minutes he missed one from a couple of yards but a few minutes later scored a brilliant solo effort from a tight angle. His second came after some good pressing by Jack, Ollie B and Ruben which forced a mistake from their defender. Jack played an intelligent first time ball which was perfect for Ru to run onto and score with a hard low shot.
2 nil at half time and the next goal was always going to be pivotal. Kingswood had a chance which Jem did well to keep out and then Ollie B picked up the ball on the edge of the box dribbled past 2 and fired a left footer in to the bottom right of the goal.
With 15 minutes to go Sam R and Sam T came on and did a good job of bringing renewed energy to the team and showed some good touches.
Final score 3 nil and a well earned win against a team whose league position belies their ability.
Fantastic team effort but special mention to Tom for 2 last ditch tackles when the game was at 0 0 which were awesome. Jem for his incredibley brave save at the feet of Tommy and Alex for his sheer industry (his best display for us to date).
Well done boys 5 games to go and in your hands.
BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
CHRISTCHURCH v LYMINGTON SPRITES
MATCH RESULT: 6 – 8
GOAL SCORERS: LEO BAKER (3), RYAN MOREY, BEN EFFERNEY, LUKE WELLS
After a three week layoff the boys started very well and were 1 – 0 up after just four minutes against Lymington who started the game as leaders of the division. In a game which was end to end and with loads of chances for both sides there was a further 7 goals in the first half with Lymington leading 5-3 at half time.
At the start of the second half we pulled a goal back to make it 5-4 but quickly conceded again and were 6-4 down again. The boys then played some good football to draw level at 6-6. With a draw looking likely, the boys stated to tire and Lymington scored 2 goals to win the game 8-6. It was a very good game and plenty of effort was given, and plenty to look forward to for the remainder of the season.
BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
CHRISTCHURCH V SWAY
MATCH RESULT: 2 – 1
The boys were looking for revenge after Sway had beat them earlier in the season, and they started well with Ryan Morey shooting just over after only a few minutes. The boys played well in the first half and were on top but the first half finished 0-0.
The boys started on the front foot again in the second half and took the lead after only 2 minutes, when a ball through the middle split the defence and Leo Baker ran clear and slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Chances came for both sides but but were missed, but then Christchurch were handed a chance to double the lead when a Sway defender handled the ball inside the box. Ryan Morey scored from the penalty spot, to make it 2-0. The boys continued to play well and just a lack of concentration in the last minute, saw them concede from a corner.
The boys held out for a very good and deserved win against Sway.
Final score 2-1.
BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
CHRISTCHURCH v BOSCOMBE ALBION
MATCH RESULT: 9 – 0
Last match before the winter break and we were all keen to sign off on top of the league at this midway point with a good win.
Ruben and Brandon were unavailable so we started with one sub against the 10 men of Boscombe.
A goal in the first minute made you fear the worst for Albion but to their credit they never stopped working for each other or let their heads go down and but for Jem coming off his line quickly and decisively they may well have got a goal.
Some of the passing today was really good but some was woeful and that is something we need to improve on for the run in. We also have a habit of losing our shape in midfield and end up playing with a six man forward line, again this will need to be addressed before the bigger games.
Some notable performances today from Bubba at right back and some good link up play between Sam R and Max on the left with the winger and midfield players.
A handsome win in the end and but for an outstanding display by Jordy in the opposition goal it could have been a lot more.
This has been an excellent effort from the boys over the last 3 months since that initial blip at the start of the season and the new lads that have come in are finding their feet in the squad.
Have a fantastic Christmas and don’t eat too much chocolate.
All the best
Stewart
BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
GRANGE v CHRISTCHURCH
MATCH RESULT: 1 – 7
This was an away fixture on paper but played in familiar surroundings at Chapel Gate. We were without Bubba today due to sickness and Philip was an absentee due to a family commitment.
In their absence we fielded an unfamiliar midfield made up of Sam R, Alex, Jack and Ethan. Brandon started on the bench following his absence also through sickness last week.
The first half was a scrappy affair with neither side really imposing themselves on the game possibly due to the team changes but I never felt we were in any real trouble or in danger of losing. Ruben and Ollie combined well for a couple of quick goals following a good finish from Sam R for the first goal.
We turned around 3-1 up at half time and brought Brandon on as a straight swap for Alex. Brandon quickly settled into the game and there was some good passages of play and some good interplay from back to front and that brought a further 4 goals.
Couple of blemishes on the performance with some unsporting behaviour when Jack was taking the penalty and some back chat to the referee which we need to learn from.
Another three points in the bag well done.
BOURNEMOUTH YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
BOURNEMOUTH ELECTRIC v CHRISTCHURCH
MATCH RESULT: 1 – 3
Some 19 hours after finishing our game against Wimborne we took to the field against Bournemouth Electric.
In the previous encounter we had narrowly scraped a win against a strong,physical Electric team so we knew it would be tough.
Electric are a very direct team and a lot of their possession is directed through their left wing area where they have a very strong and quick player. Ollie B was deployed there again as he had been in the last game against them and again performed admirably. This was borne out when the Electric player changed wings to try and improve his luck only to find Max in a similar frame of mind.
Electric opened the scoring after some confusion at a corner and for 20 minutes or so I felt that the decision to play the night before was going to back fire, we then equalised from a corner which led to a scramble which Tom took advantage of.
The half time team talk was all about digging in. They were clearly aware of our exertions the previous evening and were trying to instill belief in their boys that we would run out of steam.
Jack replaced Alex at half time and scored the sort of goal only Jack could score, he flicked the ball up to himself then volleyed from outside the box with a looping dipping ball that left the goalie no chance, this was followed by a close range header which Ethan showed great courage to compete for and beat the keeper to it.
Final score 3-1 with another hard earned three points in the bank.
Some immense performances all round the pitch but I would like to single out Jack for the best 35 minutes he has had in a Christchurch shirt going forwards and backwards! Jeremy who came off his line with a renewed confidence today and Ethan for another captain’s display, truly immense.
Well done.