Creeksiders lose in end-to-end Christchurch clash
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM TOWN FC slipped to a first league lost since late September as they travelled to play Christchurch FC in this latest fixture on Saturday afternoon (November 7); eventually falling three-two versus their struggling opponents following this end-to-end battle throughout this ninety minutes in front of a spirited crowd at Hurn Bridge Sports Club.
The Creeksiders started well in the autumnal conditions and Dan Sibley created their first chance within a minute as his cross narrowly evaded Connor Duffin at the left post, whilst Matt Pates couldn’t connect with a similar delivery on ten minutes. They kept going forward and saw an effort on goal by Henri Graham that was denied by Heath Bartram.
Christchurch brilliantly absorbed early pressure and gained a confidence to take the lead after the quarter hour mark through Beau Jenkins, who calmly slotted home a penalty after a foul inside the box. In response Duffin’s tame drive was saved easily by the Christchurch keeper Bartram, whilst the attacker also hit the bar in the twenty-eighth minute.
An injury soon forced Duffin off on 31 minutes but Fareham continued to push and saw Hary Aston hit their crossbar from a corner, before the midfielder set up Stan Bridgman who had a shot blocked. This equaliser finally arrived just before half time when a neat through ball was played into Bridgman and the substitute scored to make it one-apiece.
A firmer second half restart from Christchurch seemed to startle Fareham, and the hosts made it two-one when they won a “debatable” free kick; which was beautifully fired into the net by Jamie Hoskins versus his former club for two-one. The hosts then hit the post in an offside shot before Bridgman headed over from a tight angle on the hour mark.
Another Fareham leveller duly arrived on sixty-four minutes and again Bridgman was involved; this header hitting the bar and bouncing down to Sibley who fired home via five yards out to make the scores two-all. Substitutions followed before Christchurch scored their third goal on seventy-three minutes by Luke Sheehy’s deflected attempt into the net.
Penalty appeals were turned down when Bridgman went down in the box with fifteen left to play whilst Sam Paul and Sibley further saw their efforts denied by the brilliant Bartram as the minutes ticked down. There was one last chance for Fareham when Marley Ridge let fly from twenty yards in stoppage time but Bartram tipped over to get a home win.
Despite the defeat Fareham remain top of the Wessex League Premier after fifteen matches to date and hold a three point gap over second place Hamworthy Recreation, who they face at Cams Alders next Saturday (14/11). Attentions must however focus on a cup game away to Havant & Waterlooville with the clash set to take place on Tuesday night.
PICTURED BY CHRISTCHURCH FC MEDIA: Home celebrations begin after a ‘brilliant success’ over league leaders.
