Match report: Christchurch’s hat-trick hero Joe Freak helps side beat Downton 4-1 in the Wessex League Premier Division

Christchurch sent former manager Ollie Cherrett home empty-handed, beating relegation-threatened Downton FC 4-1 at Hurn Bridge Sports Club on Saturday.

Fin Richardson fired Christchurch into the lead before Joe Freak grabbed his first goal, but a strike from Downton’s Asa Phillips briefly hinted at a comeback. However, Freak was on fire, and he grabbed two more goals to round off a thrilling afternoon for Christchurch.

The result saw former Christchurch manager Cherrett go home empty-handed. Cherrett’s five-year tenure at the club is widely thought of as the club’s most successful period, winning the Wessex League Division One title while going on an impressive FA Cup run, the best in the club’s history, culminating in the club’s first-ever televised match shown on the BBC against Dulwich Hamlet FC, which ended in a FA Cup third qualifying round penalty shootout loss.

Richardson scored with around half an hour played, firing past keeper Kai Storr with a fierce left-footed effort from just inside the box before Freak made it 2-0 from a similar position but slightly closer.

Recent new signing Phillips has been the highlight over the last three games for a struggling Downton side that has been poor in front of goal this season. Joining the second-from-bottom side three games ago, Wessex League veteran Phillips has scored in each appearance.

Midway through the second half, Freak grabbed his second. The number nine connected perfectly, firing a jaw-dropping volley past a helpless Stoor to restore his side’s two-goal advantage before quickly adding his third.

Christchurch take on Baffins Milton Rovers at home on Saturday at 3pm.

Christchurch: B. Rodwell, J. Fu, L. Freak, D. Eccot-Young, J. Dove, J. Hall, F. Richardson, L. Sheehy, J. Freak, A. Chipangura, F. Toghill. Subs: A. Younger, T. Fu, L. Whetton, C. Hockton.