HAMPSHIRE YOUTH LEAGUE CUP FINAL

SHOLING v CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT: 1 – 2

Christchurch push hard for a hard-fought cup final victory in extra-time against a persistent Sholing side, when it looked as if cramp was taking its toll.
It was always going to be a tough game for Christchurch’s young players to pull through, with their recent record against Sholing being less than consistent and the league championship only still in touching distance mathematically.
The game started slowly with neither team being able to go get hold of the ball and pass it, on a surface that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a warzone.
This playing surface, however, didn’t seem to limit the physical side of the game as tackles flew in hard and true throughout the opening exchanges.
It’s fair to say that after the introductory 15 minutes, Sholing settled the better. They won numerous free kicks and corners and started to create the majority of chances.
It was from one of these corners, in the 23rd minute, that Sholing took the lead. The set-piece was driven in low and towards the front post where it was met with a sliced clearance that travelled through the mêlée in the box and towards the back post, where a well-placed Sholing player was on hand to finish into the top of the net.
The goal only helped Sholing assert their dominance on the first 45 minutes and they went into half time with their support shouting loudly, and 1-0 to the good.
The second half started similar to the first, yet it was Christchurch who came out the dominant after the, again scrappy, opening 15 minutes.
The boys in blue then found an equalizer through an unfortunate own goal in the 64th minute. Dan Saul played himself in down the right hand side with a few clever twists; he then proceeded to knock the ball into the front post. The goalie, who willingly came for the ball, fumbled it into the path of Sam Pitman, who challenged the last defender on the line. The defender was put under substantial pressure to force him to smash the ball into the back of his own net.
This goal inevitably invigorated the Christchurch side and their bench. They continued to create some half chances before the close of 90 minutes.

But the result needed to be settled on the night, thus extra-time ensued.

Importantly, Christchurch started the quickest. Ryan Davison played the ball to Saul, who back heeled it back into his path. The ball was then laid off to Harry Morgan on the left corner of the penalty area. The industrious midfielder looked to have the ball caught under his feet but managed to prod a clever effort into the opposite corner, much to the Christchurch bench’s excitement.
But after this goal, to take Christchurch 2-1 up in extra-time, cramp started to take its toll on the players.

After numerous stoppages in play for stretching to take place, the final whistle was greeted with a roar from the crowd and spraying Champagne.

Christchurch U18s lifted the trophy in front of their fans and under the floodlights minutes after.

Harry Hugo

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY YOUTH LEAGUE CUP – QUARTER FINAL

CHRISTCHURCH v COLDEN COMMON

MATCH RESULT: 3 – 2

GOAL SCORERS: JACK HOMAN, LEWIS PROUDLY, HARRY MORGAN

GEORGE WHEELER
JAMES LEYTON
RYAN DAVISON
HARRY MORGAN
STEFAN BAKER
JAMES PRITCHARD
SAM PITMAN
JACK HOMAN (CAPT)
JACK HOEY
JOE COOK
DAN SAUL

SUBS:
CALLUM LEE
MARLOWE TAMLYN
JACK HERBERT
LEWIS PROUDLY

The under 18’s await the semi final draw of the League Cup after overcoming Colden Common 3-2 in a less than convincing win.
Christchurch needed to bounce back from an extremely poor performance prior to this cup tie. In the early stages of the game, both teams were looking to get the ball down and play, both being put under pressure when in possession. In a half where possession cancelled each other out, no real chances were created other than long range shots which didn’t really test either keeper. The only clear cut chance fell to Colden Common when Christchurch keeper George Wheeler conceded a penalty half way through the half, only for the left footed effort to be saved by Wheeler.

Half Time: 0 – 0

Having had their desire and work rate questioned at half time, Christchurch came out the better team, looking more comfortable on the ball, and finally began looking the more likely team to score. On 50 minutes, a free kick, out towards the right hand touch line, taken by Jack Homan, was hit goal bound and under no pressure, the Colden Common keeper misjudged the weight of the free kick and could only watch the ball go over him to put Christchurch 1-0 up. 6 minutes later, Harry Morgan hit a fierce left foot shot from the end of the area, which left the keeper routed after good build up play in the final third. Shortly after, lapses of concentration lead to Colden Common grabbing a goal back. Church upped the tempo and took the game to Common and 60 minutes in, made a double substitution which saw Jack Herbert and Lewis Proudly replace Dan Saul and Sam Pitman. With the game now being played in the Common half, the U18’s continued to create chances, but were stung by a rare attack which lead to a Colden Common equaliser. The tempo and possession Christchurch had stamped on the game was not upset. Ten Minutes from the end, up stepped substitute Lewis Proudly, who cut in from the right and hit a worldy left foot shot from 25 yards that blazed into the top corner.

HAMPSHIRE YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER

CHRISTCHURCH v EASTLEIGH

MATCH RESULT: 2 – 1

GOAL SCORERS:HARRY MORGAN, JACK HERBERT

TEAM:

GEORGE WHEELER
JAMES LEYTON
RYAN DAVISON
HARRY MORGAN
STEFAN BAKER
JAMES PRITCHARD
SAM PITMAN
JACK HOMAN (CAPT)
JACK HOEY
JACK HERBERT
LEWIS PROUDLY

SUBS:

CALLUM LEE
MARK TWADDLE

The Under 18’s turned in a solid performance to beat a good Eastleigh team. It was clear from the warm up that Christchurch were up for the game and the first half proved it. Defensively sound, Christchurch played from the back and got their midfielders on the ball as quickly as they could, playing free flowing, direct possession football. Creating chance after chance, Christchurch took the lead in the 20th minute when Harry Morgan followed in after a save from the keeper to tap home from 6 yards. Christchurch’s tempo continued and went in 1-0 up at the break.

The second half began and Eastleigh started to press and try to get a grip of the game. Within five minutes of the re-start, after good work from the Eastleigh winger, a cross was cleared but cannoned off a Christchurch defender into the path of an opposing midfielder on the edge of the box to fire in, beating a helpless George Wheeler in goal. Christchurch were not rocked by this and continued to play their own style of football in the Eastleigh half. As the half progressed, the game opened up and with ten minutes to play, good possession in the final third allowed captain Jack Homan to cross a driven ball into the box for three Christchurch strikers to attack. It was Jack Herbert who beat his defender to finish with a great header from the penalty spot into the top right. More solid defending, this time as a unit, kept Eastleigh out as they bombarded the Christchurch penalty area. A great save from keeper George Wheeler in the dying minutes meant Christchurch gained a well-deserved victory in their pursuit of the league.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY YOUTH LEAGUE DIVISION 1

CHRISTCHURCH v FAREHAM TOWN

MATCH RESULT: 3 – 0

GOAL SCORERS: SAM PITMAN, CHRIS SPEERS(2)

MATCHDAY SQUAD:

GEORGE WHEELER
JAMES LEYTON
RYAN DAVISON
HARRY MORGAN
STEFAN BAKER
JAMES PRITCHARD
MARK TWADDLE
JACK HOMAN (C)
SAM PITMAN
JACK HOEY
LEWIS PROUDLY

SUBS:
MARLOWE TAMLYN
JOE COOK
CALLUM LEE
CHRIS SPEERS

After a continental six-week winter break, Christchurch U18’s returned to action against Fareham.

The tie was always going to be a tricky one after such a long time out but George Gunn and the boys were confident that they could get back into their winning rhythm.

The early exchanges were tentative and sloppy, possibly as expected, but Christchurch certainly weren’t hitting the ground running. The midfield were struggling to get hold of the ball and the chasm between the defence and midfield allowed Fareham too much space on the attack.

In the 30th minute James Leyton conceded a foul in the penalty area and Fareham were awarded a dubious penalty. The subsequent spot kick was saved well by George Wheeler in goal as he dived left but saved with his outstretched foot.

The penalty against them was what Christchurch needed. Although they went into half time at 0-0, the penalty save kicked Christchurch into action and they began to assert dominance on the match.

Within ten minutes of the restart the ball was found down the left hand side, where a smart, low cross was delivered into the ‘channel of uncertainty’ and Sam Pitman fired home. Christchurch had found the goal that they so needed.

George Gunn proceeded to make a few tactical changes after the first goal and brought on a new attacking option in Chris Speers. Speers had been asking to go on in a more advanced role throughout the first half; it had been laughed off.

Within five minutes of Speers being on the pitch he hooked a goalward shot into the top corner, just before it reached the keeper. A joyous look at the manager was given in celebration.

By this time Christchurch were cruising. The midfield had resumed the dominance that they had become known for this season and a third goal suitably followed. Chris Speers, again, turned in a shot after the goalkeeper had made a save low to his left.

3-0 looked a comfortable score line considering the problems that Christchurch faced in the first half. Three points and the team are back to winning ways after a long break.

Harry Hugo

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY YOUTH LEAGUE

CHRISTCHURCH v HAYLING UNITED

MATCH RESULT: 10 – 0

GOAL SCORERS: DAN SAUL (4), JACK HOEY (3), JACK HERBERT, JAMES LEYTON, SAM PITMAN

GEORGE WHEELER
JAMES LEYTON
RYAN DAVISON (C)
JACK HOMAN
MARLOWE TAMLYN
JAMES PRITCHARD
MARK TWADDLE
JACK HOEY
SAM PITMAN
JACK HERBERT
LEWIS PROUDLY
CALLUM LEE
DAN SAUL
STEFAN BAKER
CONNOR TAYLOR
TAWANDA MURPEE
HARRY MORGAN

Although the possession was a bit scrappy in the opening exchanges, Christchurch created a few early chances. These squandered chances spurred them on to finish the opposition off throughout the match.

The score was opened after only 7 minutes as Proudley squirmed away from his marker and cut the ball across the six yard box for Herbert to finish neatly into the middle of the net. After this the floodgates opened. A defensive error on the halfway line allowed Saul to drive forward at the remaining defenders and curl the ball cleverly passed the keeper. As the half wore to an end, Herbert picked up the ball on the right, cut inside and lifted a perfectly weighted ball to Saul, who had timed his run perfectly and proceeded to round the keeper and tuck the ball into an empty net.

The second half began as in favour of Christchurch as the first had finished. Pitman (after coming on for Herbert) beat his man down the right and pulled it back to the edge of the box where Hoey was there to meet it. He struck it first time into the top corner, glancing the bar as it made its way in. Saul secured his hat-trick moments later as he drove the ball straight down the middle from a James Leyton cross. Moments later Dan Saul found the net again to make it 6-0 as he fired one near post, much to the goalkeepers embarrassment. The seventh goal (and possibly the pick of the bunch) came from Jack Hoey as he cut in from the left flank and guided a right footed shot beautifully into the top corner.

Sam Pitman made it 8-0 after 70 minutes when he raced down on goal, rounded the keeper and drilled it underneath the covering defender. The rout continued as substitute Leyton found space on the edge of the box and bent the ball passed a despairing goalkeeper. Jack Hoey would cap off a tremendous performance as he turned the ball in, scrappily, from close range to round up his hat trick.

Harry Hugo

FA YOUTH CUP 1ST QUALIFYING ROUND

CHRISTCHURCH v WIMBORNE TOWN

MATCH RESULT: 5 – 3

GOAL SCORERS: HARRY CORNICK (3), DAN SAUL, JACK HERBERT

01. ALEX MACKIE
02. TAWANDA MURAPE
03. RYAN DAVISON
04. JACK HOMAN
05. STEFAN BAKER
06. BILLY WALKER
07. JAMES LEYTON
08. JACK HOEY
09. HARRY CORNICK
10. DAN SAUL
11. LEWIS PROUDLEY

SUBS:
SAM PITMAN
JACK HERBERT
CHRIS SPEERS
GEORGE WHEELER
MARLOWE TAMLYN

Christchurch dominated right from the off as the slick surface allowed them to play their free flowing passing football. The midfield got on the ball early and found themselves with lots of time, enabling them to keep the ball moving forward. This forward pressure allowed Ryan Davison to be fouled in the box, resulting in an early penalty which Dan Saul stepped up to, confidently, and fired past the outstretched keeper.
Heavy pressure continued to mount on the Wimborne defence with the ball being played in behind the centre halves frequently. Wimborne’s lack of midfield structure, early on, gave Cornick & Co plenty of space to run at the defence, who were quaking in their boots. Christchurch were also looking assured in defence as they squashed any hope that the Wimborne attackers had of scoring a goal.
Harry Cornick, who had been brought into the youth team for this tie, showed why he deserves the hype that surrounds him whilst confidence exuded from Christchurch’s other attacking talent as Saul and Hoey looked comfortable sitting deep and seeing more of the ball. This allowed Harry Cornick, who is being tracked by both Southampton and Stoke, to run in behind the defenders and latch onto the loose ball. This was apparent in Christchurch’s second goal when Saul worked hard to win the ball back on the right hand side, drifted past one and crossed for Cornick to turn in. This was then complimented with Christchurch’s third, and Cornick’s second when he stole the march on the defenders, after great midfield interchange from Homan and Saul, and slid the ball underneath a sprawled Wimborne keeper.
Just before halftime Cornick finished off his hat trick, after ghosting past 3 defenders on the edge of the box and finding the back of the net after the keeper failed to get behind it. Christchurch went into the break 4-0 up – and dominant.
Wimborne came out fighting in the second half, something Christchurch had no answer for. They managed to score 2 quick goals and the pressure was on the home team once more as the fans sensed they were on the back foot. However this anxious atmosphere was quelled when Jack Herbert drilled a left footed half-volley into the bottom corner mid way though the half. Christchurch were home and dry.
A great night was possibly dampened slightly with a severe injury to a Wimborne player late on, who had to be carried off on a stretcher. Wimborne responded to this well and finished the game with a well measured goal.

HAMPSHIRE YOUTH LEAGUE PREMIER

CHRISTCHURCH v AFC TOTTON

MATCH RESULT: 3 – 3

GOAL SCORERS: JACK HERBERT, DAN SAUL, SAM PITMAN

TEAM: Alex Mackie, Mark Twaddle, James Leyton, Marlowe Tamlyn, Stefan Baker, James Pritchard, Jack Hoey, Jack Herbert, Sam Pitman, Dan Saul (c), Mike Oxford, Subs: Tawanda Murpee, Callum Lee, George Wheeler

The under 18’s began their defence of the title with a big tie against AFC Totton. In a home game that had to be played away from Hurn Bridge, Christchurch’s style of football was going to suffer on a smaller pitch. The boys started extremely brightly with Jack Herbert hitting the post with an audacious effort directly from kick off. This set the tempo and after 4 minutes they took the lead through Jack Herbert who weaved his way through a defence as if they weren’t there, to fire his effort into the roof of the net. The game then took a turn, and against the run of play Totton equalised. This rocked Church, and after having to make an early substitution with Murpee replacing Pritchard, it left them unsettled and Totton scored twice within 15 minutes and Church looked down and out at 1-3. Five minutes from half time, they kicked into stride again, a ball played forward found Herbert, who had to battle a defender for the bouncing ball, was pushed in the back leaving the ref no option but point to the spot. Dan Saul stepping up and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner making it 2-3.
AFC Totton kicked off the second half and after the interval it was clear Church knew what they had to do and came out taking control of the game. Christchurch worked hard to get back on top of the game and showed true heart to do so, creating chance after chance. The ball flashed across the face of the goal on two occasions after pass and skill from Pitman and Leyton respectively, but no end product. Oxford was denied by an unorthodox save after the keeper made a hash of a clearance. With 20 minutes to play, the ball was played through from midfield into Pitman’s path, leaving him two on one with the defender and keeper, Pitman managed to round the keeper and flick the ball with the outside of his boot, slipping it past the recovering defender to level the scores at 3-3. Shortly after, Lee replaced Pitman with a change of formation, coming on and breaking up Totton’s attacks. Church had a number of shots but failed to work the keeper. Pitman came back on to replace a tired Herbert with four minutes to play, as Church pushed for the winner. The last chance of the game fell to Pitman who worked hard to create a chance for it to beat everyone with only the post denying him the glory.

Well deserved draw in a thrilling opener.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY YOUTH LEAGUE PREMIER

HORNDEAN v CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT: 1 – 1

GOAL SCORER: DAN SAUL

GEORGE PROCTOR
RICH GREEN
BILLY WALKER
DREW RIMMER
ALEX SALAZAAR
DAN SAUL
HARRY CORNICK
JACK HOMAN
RYAN DAVISON
MARCUS CULLEN
MICKY COWLAND
MATT CLARKE

Church travelled to Horndean for their final game of the season following the league cup the previous week. Church started the
game brightly, immediately getting the upper hand in terms of possesion. Cornick created a couple of half chances shooting wide on both occasions. However Hordean’s striker found himself one on one with the keeper only for Proctor to make a good save at his feet. Church took the lead on 25 minutes, Cullen swinging in a free kick from the left, to allow Dan Saul to rise superbly to plant his header into the far corner. It was just the reward for an excellent start. Ten minutes later Saul nearly grabbed a second being denied by a good save by the keeper.

HT 0-1

The second half started with chances for both sides. However as the second half wore on Horndean began using the slope and wind at their backs to their advantage. Playing a more route one game they began launching long ball after long ball making it increasingly difficult to get out. Excellent defending by Walker and Clarke kept them at bay whilst occasionally breaking out to catch them on the counter attack. On one such foray Saul went close again denied by an outstanding save by the keeper. Church then had to defend a succession of corners and free kicks over a ten minute period. Horndean finally got the equaliser with their big defender heading home from a corner with 15 minutes remaining. Church regained their composure and managed to see out the game and clinch the title, finishing 3 points clear of Horndean. It has been a great achievement by the lads, and I and my assistants John Perdrisat and John Cullen are very proud of their efforts this season.
A big thank you must go to the support from parents and members of the club, A special word of thanks to Flo for all her support and Molly for washing the kit. Thanks to everyone and good luck to the 1st team in their cup finals.

FT Horndean 1-1 Church

HAMPSHIRE YOUTH LEAGUE PREMIER

GOSPORT BOROUGH v CHRISTCHURCH

MATCH RESULT: 0 – 0

Church travelled to Gosport for their penultimate league game looking for a win to clinch the title. With a much depleted squad and with limited playing options, it was always going to be about grinding out a result. Much of the opening 20 minutes was played in the midfield, meaning chances were limited. On 35 minutes Gosport had an appeal for a penalty turned down, the referee instead deciding to rightly award a foul on the keeper. Church created a few half chances from set pieces, Dan Saul coming close with a header. Cowland should have fired Church into the lead, latching on to Saul’s knockdown but somehow missed from just 3 yards.

H.T 0-0

The second half started in much the same vein as the first, there seemed to be a lot of nerves with players knowing what was at stake. Gosport had a five minute spell of pressure with several corners. Salazaar making an excellent last ditch tackle, and Proctor pulling off a good save low to his left. On 70 minutes Saul’s run into the box ended with him being brought down for what seemed to be a certain penalty. However the referee begged to differ much to the amazement of both benches. Church were now on top and created a fantastic chance ten minutes from time. Cornick beat two defenders and put in a great low cross for Cowland who again managed to miss when it seemed easier to score. With time running out Saul turned his man and hit a low left foot shot inches past the post. It would of rounded off an outstanding display by Saul had he converted. A special mention must go to the defensive display with Walker marshaling the side to a consecutive clean sheets. The point more or less gives Church the title as defeat against nearest rivals Horndean has to be by a nineteen goal margin.

Gosport 0-0 Church

Proctor, Greene, Walker, Clarke, Rimmer, Homan, Cowland, Cullen, Salazaar, Cornick, Saul

Unused sub: Ryan Davison