Back To Their Best - Up to 4th

Stubbington 2-8 CFY

Mid Solent U14 B League – 22nd September 2007

Chandlers Ford were back to their best, thoroughly outplaying their opponents away from home to help see them rise to fourth in the table.

The first half was fairly even to begin with as Stubbington caused a few problems down the right, however CFY fought for every ball and won their battles extremely well across the park with the kind of hunger and determination that deserves to win football matches.

Getting their just rewards, Michael Sawbridge opened the scoring with a thunderous strike from the edge of the area following impressive short passing.

Michael Wall, who was playing on the left of midfield put in a classy performance tormenting the Stubbington right back all morning and whipping in some dangerous crosses. Wall came close from the edge of the area more than once but snatched at the chances and both flew narrowly wide of the mark.

The Blues were full of energy and seemed to benefit from the two-touch passing worked on in training on Thursday night. David Bromhead a classic example of this with his simple method of getting the ball down and picking the right option.

Alongside him, David Smith looked equally at home in the centre of midfield and did his best for the cause to create his fair share of opportunities for the front men.

Deservedly, Chandlers Ford went 2-0 up through a pumped-up Michael Sawbridge who seemed to thrive on the occasion bursting the net once more with a typical stylish finish.

On the rare occasions that Stubbington did come forward, solid defending from Jake Beattie and Josh Harrigan was more than enough to protect Lee Robertson, ably supported by the two full backs, Liam Godfrey and the superb James Parsonage.

HALF TIME: Stubbington 0-2 CFY

You could not have scripted the next five or so minutes as Michael Sawbridge capped a blistering opening to the second half with three of the best goals you are likely to see in a while. Saying that, Michael seems to finish the same way every time!

Adding to his collection of beautiful strikes from distance, I think his fourth goal was the most special for the composure he showed in front of goal to chip the keeper with real confidence.

One person in particular was sweating each time Michael brought the ball forward as he got nearer and nearer to his double hattrick!

Liam Godfrey was the next to mark his name on the scoresheet to make it 6-0 as he chested down and volleyed home from close range to finish off another well worked move.

It was at this point in the game that the dominance got to CFY a little, as they dropped off the pace and allowed the hosts to get the better of their defence.

With what was probably Lee’s first action in the game, he was unable to stop a red shirt finding the net to make the most of poor defending. The ball bobbled around in the Ford area and with more than three chances to clear the ball, Stubbington came out on top from this scramble.

Following a shot in off the post, proving concentration is needed at all times no matter how many you might be winning by.

Ford restored their six goal lead through Alex Evens who was in the right place at the right time to turn Michael Sawbridge’s effort over the line for his first competitive goal for the club.

Stubbington went on to have a spell of pressure and as a result pulled a second goal back from a throw in, with Lee well beaten from an excellent strike which sailed over Robertson and into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

The best moment was yet to come however as Tom Pope capped an excellent performance with his first ever league goal. David Bromhead raced through on goal but was denied by a smart stop from the keeper who came to the edge of his area to save. Tom followed up with a 30-yard cracker from the right wing, one which he will remember for a long, long time.

This bringing to an end a very positive match from Chandlers Ford Youth. One, which saw every single player make a real difference.

James Parsonage received the man of the match award for a wonderful display at right back, where he was also very positive coming forward with skillful dribbling as he continues to progress at an amazing rate.

Had Richard not been told to substitute Michael for kicking the ball away, who knows how many this young man might have ended up with?

There were too many positives from this performance; it was unreal – now we must build on this to prove we can do it consistently. Well done all.

FULL TIME: Stubbington 2-8 CFY

Match Photos by Jozef Montigue