Match report: Christchurch FC came out second-best in the Hurn Derby, losing 2-0 to Bournemouth FC in the Wessex League Premier Division
Christchurch’s impressive run of results ended with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Bournemouth Poppies in the Hurn Derby at Hurn Bridge Sports Club on Saturday.
The hosts had won six of their last seven – their sole defeat came against runaway league leaders AFC Portchester – but the Poppies took the three points after goals from James Stocker and Joe Roberts.
In the early stages, Christchurch and Bournemouth shared an even contest, with the hosts forcing the first chance of note when Addwell Chipangura forced a save from Heath Bartram after a lovely ball through from the ever-impressive Dan Neild.
Christchurch have seemingly found scoring easy in recent months—they scored 27 in their previous seven—and they found chances easy to create. Their next big chance came and went after a heroic block from Ryan Carrol that denied Jake Dove when he looked destined to score.
The half closed out goalless after a massive tackle from Josh Spink that stopped Joe Freak in his tracks, with the defender doing well to recover before Freak could have another bite at the cherry.
Moments after the restart, James Stocker found space on the edge of the box. The number 10 put his laces through the ball, beating Ben Rodwell and making it 1-0.
Christchurch still looked dangerous but struggled to deal with a very organised Bournemouth defence.
The visitors were not creating much, but they soon had the ball in the back of the net, this time, with former Blackfield & Langley striker Joe Roberts scoring his first Poppies’ goal.
With nine minutes left, Freak went through one-on-one, but it just was not the hosts’ day, and Bartram pulled off a big save.
Christchurch will hope to return to winning ways when they host United Services Portsmouth, the league’s lowest-placed side, at home on Saturday.
Christchurch: B. Rodwell, J. Dove, L. Freak, R. Watkins, J. Fu, L. Sheehy, L. Whetton, D. Neild, J. Freak, A. Chipangura. Subs: T. Fu, B. Manuel, A. Younger, W. Crutcher, A. Farmer.
