Christchurch overcome local rivals Bournemouth Poppies 1-0 in an all-important bottom of the table clash which puts Church in 18th, six points above their south coast rivals in 19th.
Christchurch overcome local rivals Bournemouth Poppies 1-0 in an all-important bottom of the table clash with remaining Church in 18th, six points above their south coast rivals in 19th and clear clear of relegation.
The game had a scrappy element to it throughout with both teams needing the points and it was clear to see from the off.
Church opened the scoring relatively early on with 20 minutes on the clock. Luke Ansell found himself in space on the edge of the area and curled a great effort to the top right corner, providing an early lead for the home side.
The half progressed with neither side able to carve out any clear cut opportunities. Poppies did enjoy more of the possession and set piece chances but neither paid dividend with Church holding a strong line.
The second half had Bournemouth take the game by the scruff of the neck with Christchurch unable to match the away sides work rate – it just wasn’t Bournemouth's night.
Poppies felt they should have had a penalty when Conor Jevon was brought down from behind inside the area - only for the referee to dismiss the call.
Tensions grew strong on the touchline as Poppies had half chances come and go. A notable attack had Neemo Nixon work his way into the area and release a low drive, comfortably saved by the keeper.
Church were resilient and defensively strong answering questions thrown at them by the opposition.
It was a result which Bournemouth manager Phill Brown felt was an unfair reflection of proceedings.
Speaking to Nerve Sport after the game, he said : “They did exactly what we thought – they got the goal and put ten men behind the ball, we weren’t clever enough to break them down.”
He continued: “it’s really, really frustrating, the final third let us down and decision making was at the wrong time really.”
Brown did give credit to their rivals, he added: “You’ve got to give credit to them – they stuck with their game plan and put ten men behind the ball, we just couldn’t break them down.”
The Poppies have no match this Saturday, whereas Christchurch face a tough test in Moneyfields away from home.