Crofton Saints 4-2 Chandlers Ford

CROFTON SAINTS 4-2 CHANDLERS FORD

29.1.05 – LEAGUE

In this hotly contested top of the table clash, it was the visitors who started the brighter and created a good chance early on when Ronan Galloway’s cross from the left went past everyone in the box and there was no end product from a Chandlers Ford player. The game soon turned into the home sides favour as they were bypassing the CFY midfield at times and unleashing numerous attacks on Lee Robertson’s goal. Crofton forced their opponents into soaking up heavy, sustained pressure for large periods of the first half.

However, against the run of play Galloway ran through on goal and banged home his 61st goal of the season (including friendlies), into the roof of the net leaving the Crofton keeper no chance. But there was another twist in the tale. Chandlers Ford had only just finished celebrating going 1-0 up, when another quick break away resulted in a Crofton equaliser as the visitors were pegged back almost instantly. This meant the sides went into the break on level terms.

HALF TIME – Crofton Saints 1-1 CFY

The home side made a very lively start to the second half and within minutes the pace of the Crofton attack had caused trouble to CFY’s defence yet again, and they scored the second of the match to take the lead.

After this, the game was fairly even and at times the action was end-to-end entertaining football. But it was Crofton again who increased their lead to gain a two-goal cushion, following another attack from the right flank, which was eventually scrambled over the line.

Chandlers Ford were spurred into action following this goal, and it was Ronan Galloway who doubled his tally for the match and Chandlers Ford’s also. It was a typical sprint and cool finish from the Chandlers Ford striker. The visitors came close to gaining an equaliser, when substitute Ryan Chinn powered a shot at goal, which was only just cleared off the line from a Crofton defender.

At 3-2, CFY had a good claim for a penalty turned down as Ronan Galloway was clearly shoved to the ground inside the area. This may have changed the game around. Crofton stepped it up a gear and managed to break away and grab their fourth goal of the game just before the end to put the game beyond doubt. This ended a great game of football, between two good sides but the result now puts Crofton in the driving seat in the bid for the title.

FULL TIME – Crofton Saints 4-2 CFY

Chandlers Ford 5-4 Lee Rangers

CHANDLERS FORD 5-4 LEE RANGERS

22.1.05 – FRIENDLY

Chandlers Ford started brightly on their home pitch against the side that are currently bottom of the ‘A’ League. The division difference between the two sides however was not noticeable for large periods of this fierce, friendly encounter.

The home side got off to a flying start after they piled on the pressure Ronan Galloway won a corner, which eventually resulted in a 1-0 lead to CFY. Defender, David Phillips was the coolest player on the pitch when he smashed the ball home from 10 yards when he reacted quickest to a poor clearance from a Rangers defender.

The hosts enjoyed large periods of possession throughout the half, and it wasn’t long before Chandlers Ford had the ball in the back of the net. This time Jozef Montigue was the finisher and Galloway the provider, as Joe tapped the ball over the line from close range.

Montigue doubled his tally towards the end of the half in similar fashion as he found himself in the right place at the right time to knock the ball past a stranded Lee Rangers keeper to send the home side into a comfortable 3-goal lead.

However this half was not over as Lee Rangers caught the CFY defence off guard on a quick breakaway which resulted in the visitors pulling a goal back just before the interval with a neat volley from inside the box.

HALF TIME – CFY 3-1 Lee Rangers

The goal before half-time seemed to spur the away side on, as they came out of the blocks very quickly in the second half and found themselves right back in the game when they scored two good goals with just 7 minutes played in the second half.

Chandlers Ford were looking nervy at times and were probably wondering how on earth they lost their two-goal cushion so quickly. Lee Rangers took the lead for the first time in the game when yet another blistering break away led to their fourth goal as the ball just crept over the line and the goal stood despite the complaints from the home sides players.

However CFY found their rhythm again and they started to pass the ball around and create problems for the Lee Rangers defence. Substitute Reece Middleton was a big threat for Chandlers Ford and he was awarded a penalty for having his shirt pulled in the box. Ryan Chinn scored a vital goal from the resulting penalty for the home side as he nestled the ball in the bottom corner, and got his side the equaliser that in the end proved to be the turning point in the game.

With about 8 minutes to go Reece Middleton made a powerful run down the left and blasted the ball into the roof of the net for Chandlers Ford’s fifth goal with a great strike.

Lee Rangers couldn’t find a reply late on as CFY ran the clock down by keeping possession.

FULL TIME – CFY 5-4 Lee Rangers

Portchester 'A' 1-5 Chandlers Ford

PORTCHESTER ‘A’ 5-1 CHANDLERS FORD

15.1.05 – HANTS CUP SEMI-FINAL

CFY starting as underdogs from Division 2 against second placed Portchester from Division 1, made a determined start in a game that the visitors knew would be a tough game. Chandlers Ford were soon under heavy pressure early on as the Portchester side made a good move which resulted in a great save from keeper Lee Robertson who managed to tip a powerful strike over the bar to keep the scores level.

However minutes later Portchester were threatening the Chandlers Ford defenders once more as they raced into an early lead with a tap in from a corner kick. The home side doubled their lead almost instantly as they thrived on a misplaced kick and reacted quickest to fire the ball home.

Chandlers Ford managed to enjoy a brief spell of pressure but nothing that the solid Portchester side couldn’t deal with. Just before the half time interval the visitors took another blow as they conceded a free kick on the edge of the area, which was banged into the top right hand corner of the Chandlers Ford goal.

HALF TIME – Portchester 3-0 CFY

CFY came out strong in the second half as they looked the more lively and dangerous team as they strung a few good passes together and threatened the Portchester goal three times in the space of a couple of minutes. For the first time in the game Portchester were rattled and looked a nervous side as the visitors were playing the better football at the start of the second half. Twice Ronan Galloway was through one on one with the Portchester keeper but it was not to be.

Portchester managed to play their way back into the game again and they broke away down the left before nicking the ball ahead of Lee Robertson to poke the ball into the far corner of the net.

Chandlers Ford picked themselves up again and continued to battle in the middle of the park. Dale Hansford threaded a great pass through to Ronan Galloway who broke free of the last defender, before sprinting into the area and coolly slotting the ball between the Portchester keeper’s legs.

Just before the end of the game Portchester scored their fifth goal as they capitalised on the tiredness of some of the Chandlers Ford defenders.

Good luck to Portchester in the Final but well done to CFY for their battling display today and for getting all the way to the semi-final – A terrific cup run.

FULL TIME – Portchester 5-1 CFY

Portchester 'B' 1-3 Chandlers Ford

PORTCHESTER ‘B’ 1-3 CHANDLERS FORD

08.1.05 – LEAGUE

This match was played under very difficult conditions with gale force winds due to the pitch’s location by the sea. The elements were proving to be a struggle for both sides but it was Portchester who opened the scoring. Chandlers Ford started the game the brighter side; enjoying periods of pressure in the Portchester half but they failed to make their chances count as Portchester scored against the run of play early on.

A quick counter attack from the home side caught the CFY defence off guard as the Portchester striker sped away from his marker before coolly slotting the ball underneath goalkeeper Lee Robertson.

Portchester carried this lead with them into the interval at the close of a tight first half.

HALF TIME – Portchester 1-0 CFY

CFY were determined to get back in the game and they had to work hard for their equaliser. When it came it was well worth waiting for as Ronan Galloway let fly from 20 yards out and found the top corner of the net.

The visitors were uplifted after this goal and they dominated possession for a large period of time, creating countless goal scoring opportunities but like the first half there was a lack of an end product.

Portchester battled on and withheld heavy pressure from Chandlers Ford and they managed to keep the scores level right until the 6 minutes of the game where Reece Middleton made a powerful run down the left before poking the ball past the keeper. This gave Chandlers Ford a deserved lead for the way they controlled the game. Middleton grabbed his second of the game in the dying seconds with a brilliant strike from the edge of the area.

FULL TIME – Portchester 1-3 CFY