Creeksiders earn comfortable win over Christchurch

By Connor Steel

FAREHAM TOWN clinched their seventh successive victory within the Wessex League Premier season as they played Christchurch on Saturday afternoon; comfortably beating their struggling opponents three-nil after a very dominant and professional performance that was watched by a “sun-bathed” crowd of over three hundred supporters at Cams Alders.

The Creeksiders started quicker and opened this scoring within just 9 minutes as Connor Underhill was found in space on the right; the winger nestling into the net for one-nil. And the lead was quickly doubled before the quarter hour when Cameron Sullivan played a perfect long pass to find Sam Woodward; who lashed home past the keeper with calmness.

Underhill soon went close as he was denied by Ben Rodwell between the sticks as Fareham pushed for a third through some quick passing; which almost got the rewards when Elliot Holmes curled his drive wide from distance. In response Christchurch manufactured a first opening just before the half hour; Joe Freak’s effort comfortably pushed from danger.

But this proved a rare attack for the away side as they continued to struggle versus the ‘intensity and movement’ of the home attackers; Charlie Cooper seeing a shot deflected past the near stick before Woodward fired a free kick over the bar. Rodwell further had to stretch and deny an effort from Josh Benfield in added time to keep Fareham limited to two.

Home dominance extended into the second half with Woodward slipping past his markers and forcing yet another stop from Rodwell who had to keep out a dipping attempt by Sullivan in the fifty-fourth minute. Holmes was then just unable to convert a troubling ball into the area from Cooper, before Dan Bennett nodded his looping effort inches over the bar.

Christchurch made several substitutions and this appeared to give them more momentum pushing forward; Jake Doye slashing over from a recycled corner and a curling effort from distance sadly didn’t test home keeper Declan McCarthy. Down the other end Benfield deflected a drive off target and Troy Wingfield broke through to little avail on the left wing.

All points were secured when Fareham added their third goal on seventy-nine minutes; Matt Pates using his fresh legs off the bench and his sprint / pass was deflected to the feet of Sullivan who lashed home. Further chances for Sullivan, Pates and Charlie Cole then followed in the final minutes but were saved by Rodwell, who was one of the shining stars.

This victory means that Fareham sit second in the current standings after 10 matches and sit just one point behind the leaders Portchester, who were forced into a goalless away draw against AFC Stoneham. They now have two winnable home ties within this next ten days; first playing Millbrook before the game against Blackfield & Langley on October 15.

PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN MEDIA: Christchurch goalkeeper manages to hold a fierce shot early in the first half.