Christchurch FC dig deep for share of the points with high flyers Horndean

Sydenhams Wessex Premier: Christchurch FC 1-1 Horndean FC

A CHRISTCHURCH FC side, missing several key players, produced a gutsy backs to the wall performance against Sydenhams Premier high flyers Horndean at a Hurn Bridge.

The visitors were camped in the home half for long spells of the match, but the 1-1 draw was a deserved point for an obdurate Priory outfit.

Christchurch scored the opener on six minutes when the Horndean defence were caught at sixes and sevens allowing Josh Kirkham to feed the ball to Ash Pope who made no mistake – curling a shot beyond the outstretched arms of Ross Casey.

On the half hour, Priory were nearly gifted a second goal when Luke Heard overhit a back pass over his own keeper and the furious gloveman Casey could only watch as it luckily crashed to safety off the foot of the left hand upright.

Horndean ramped it up and Read and Sam Hookey in particular looked dangerous. The Christchurch defence were well marshalled by Kieran Douglas and held firm until the 37th minute when Sean McMonagle headed home a wonder goal from a pinpoint Read delivery.

Neither keeper was really tested for the first 30 minutes of the second period, but as the game entered the final 15 minutes, Horndean showed their credentials and pressed for a winner.

Priory dug deep with keeper Max Frampton at full stretch to keep the visitors at bay and Ash Howes had a shot well blocked by Douglas. In the closing minutes desperate defending in a packed goal area prevented Horndean from scrambling the ball home and the points were shared.