Redhill Rangers v Christchurch
Match Result: 3 – 3
Goal Scorers: Harvey (3)
Man of the match Luke D puts in a breathtaking defensive performance to help Christchurch earn a well fought point in this fiery encounter.
The weather was miserable, blowing a gale and rain coming down in buckets. That didn’t dampen the boy’s spirits though as each and every one of them shone in this game which can only be described as ‘Total football ’.
This game had the lot. Passion, desire, hunger, determination and commitment, this is what football is all about!!!
Having previously beaten Redhill 2-1 a few weeks ago the opposition were determined to get their revenge and pick up all 3 points on home soil.
It was Christchurch who started the more dangerous, keeping the ball on the deck, playing our passing game.
Working the flanks well, the ball found Oli who whipped in a cross for Harvey the hit man to volley home in the top corner from 6 yards, 1-0 Christchurch!
Joel back from illness was put straight into the starting 11 and didn’t disappoint playing left wing and linking up well with midfield.
Every player from both sides were giving their all and it wasn’t long before Christchurch picked up their first injury through Joel who took a whack to leg, on came Sam K to fill in.
This was real end to end stuff with Redhill coming close to levelling the scores only for brad to make a superb block. Christchurch looked threatening on the break and a whizzing shot from Oli went inches past the post. Redhill pushing hard found the break they needed and levelled the scores 1-1. Sam D picked up an injury from making a well timed challenge and had to come off for attention. Sonny was orchestrating the midfield, slipping balls through the opposition back line for Cam to latch onto and try his luck from 8 yards, only to be foiled by the opposing keeper.
Christchurch applied the pressure with 2 consecutive corners but were unable to capitalise. Luke charging down a Redhill striker, made a superb sliding tackle to deny what was surely a goal, inspiring stuff!!
This match could go either way, the balance tilted in Redhill’s favour when James clearly fouled was lying on the floor in pain and the referee failed to take action, allowing their striker through on goal and making the score 2-1 Redhill. Half-time.
The boys looked like they had been swimming in a mud pool, they took a drink, we discussed tactics and Sam D came back on for Stephen.
The tempo was much the same as the first half (frenetic) and a defence splitting pass from midfield found Harvey who coolly turned his man and then rounded the keeper to make a class finish, 2-2.
The atmosphere was cracking loads of noise from both sets of parents helped each player to find another gear just when it looked like they were tiring. Ed was going about his job very solidly he takes a great free- kick and won some timely headers.
Redhill broke the offside trap and the tall front man was about to strike when sliding in from the right came Luke with an absolutely incredible tackle!!
This was turning out to be one of the games of the season and Sam k was doing a great job of man marking their play maker. Cam got hold of the ball and spread it wide to Sonny who passed it straight back Cam and his first time shot was well saved by the keeper.
It was important we challenged for the ball and made those interceptions and Sam D was now showing another side of his game with some good challenges of his own. Redhill looked to bounce back and a wonder shot saw Brad pull off another brilliant save!
Now with 15 minutes remaining it was Redhill who took back the lead and Christchurch had to dig deep to try and come back with a response.
We did just that and with 8 minutes left Cam again on the edge made a good decision to pass rather than shoot and Harvey netted the leveller to level the match 3-3 and pick up his second hat-trick in three weeks!
Nail biting stuff saw Redhill have 5 corners in the last 5 minutes and a high clearance from Louie soon followed by a kick in the face. Play came to a holt as Louie had a nose bleed and was substituted so it could be dealt with.
Both teams held on to the end and at full-time the score was 3-3, what a great game of football that was, well played lads you are getting better and better with every game we play.