Friendly – 30th August 2008
Lineup: Kelvin Bagot, James Parsonage, David Kilcoyne, Josh Harrigan (c), Jake Beattie, Michael Wall, Zak Pickett, Tom Ashton, David Bromhead, Jozef Montigue, Michael Sawbridge
Subs: Ahmed Sfagsi, Ryan Chinn
Jake Beattie grabbed a deserved equaliser as CFY picked themselves up from a poor start. The goal came from a Michael Sawbridge corner kick on the far side, which Beattie turned home with a fine volley on the turn - a great finish.
The visitors came back strongly, seemingly wanting it more than the Blues did and broke away twice more to get through the Chandlers Ford defence and take a two-goal cushion with them into the break.
Ford did create some good chances of their own just before Itchen had restored their lead with Jozef coming the closest following a superb team move.
Michael Sawbridge and Michael Wall linked up very well in attack to create the chance (Wall unselfishly playing a square ball to his left instead of going for goal himself), for Joe to force a top drawer save out of the goalkeeper to win a corner kick.
Tom Ashton continued his fine form with a wonderful goal to bring his side back into contention. Making room for the shot, Tom lobbed the keeper with a perfectly measured strike from distance into the roof of the net for 2-3.
They could and should have been level when Michael Wall did all the hard work with a great run down the right of midfield before delivering an excellent cross to put the ball on a plate for Pickett. Unfortunately, Zak will not want to be reminded of the outcome as he somehow missed this golden opportunity firing over the bar when it was easier to score.
Zak did make up for this miss as he completed a fine comeback for Richard's side with the leveller soon after. Putting pressure on the goalkeeper, the new signing slid in well to win the ball in front of goal and as it trickled towards the line, an Itchen defender knocked the ball on to the post where it then crossed the line. 3-3.
With virtually the last kick of the game, Joe got himself on to the scoresheet from a Michael Sawbridge corner - his second assist, connecting well with the cross with a well-timed side footed volley to find the net and seal the win.