League Season Begins With Defeat

CFY 1-5 Warsash Wasps

Mid Solent U14 B League – 15th September 2007

This, the first league game of the new season saw Chandlers Ford punished by the Wasps once more. The same match a year ago ended in a similar scoreline.

Chandlers Ford were probably the better team to begin with, with both David Smith and Liam Godfrey coming close in the opening stages. Liam, operating as a centre forward due to Joe breaking his arm last Tuesday, which will keep him out for around five weeks.

However, failing to make the chances count, Warsash were allowed to come into the game and take the lead against the run of play.

Under little pressure, the visitors’ left winger was allowed time and space as CFY defender’s stood off. This proved to be costly as the ball was soon thumped into the roof of the net from way out by the touchline from a hit and hope strike.

Right at the end Liam Godfrey appeared to have found the equaliser, a goal that Ford thoroughly deserved for the way they responded to conceding. However, as Liam broke free into the area holding off his marker and rounding the keeper cleverly to stroke the ball home; the Warsash linesman was determined he saw a hand ball earlier as the ball was brought down.

On the grounds that the linesman had a better view of the incident than the referee, the goal never stood and CFY will perhaps feel a little hard done by. Clearly if the goal was given Ford would have had all the momentum they needed to go on further and kill the game off.

HALF TIME: CFY 0-1 Warsash Wasps

The setback at the end of the first half worked against the home side as they struggled to find their feet in a below par 35 minutes that followed.

It could have been so much better for Ford had David Smith finished the golden opportunity that came his way literally seconds into the second half. Alex Evens played the ball through to his strike partner but with David clean through on goal, it looking easier to score; Smith got it all wrong with a wayward effort.

From here Warsash took full advantage of these couple of missed opportunities from the Blues, as they did the simple things well with short, sharp passing and quick movement.

They were soon 2-0 in front when a weak effort slipped hopelessly through the legs of Lee Robertson in the Chandlers Ford goal.

The heads immediately went down from the home side and Warsash went on, helping themselves really, to a further three goals one of which was a penalty.

Michael Sawbridge was pushed up front in order to restore some pride with ten to fifteen minutes remaining.

Ford all of a sudden looked very lively and dominated all the play to put the Wasps under a whole lot of pressure, Michael producing a number of saves out of the keeper with long range shooting before finally getting a reward for his efforts.

A long throw from Josh was handled in the box and a penalty kick was given. Sawbridge stepping up to coolly slot the ball to the keeper’s left.
Moments later, another dangerous ball into the box was handled in the area leading to another CFY penalty. This time, Michael wasn’t so fortunate as his spot kick was saved extremely well.

There were still chances even after this and really the score line didn’t tell the whole story on this disappointing start to the new season.

Man of the match – David Bromhead

FULL TIME: CFY 1-5 Warsash Wasps

CFY 0-4 Locksheath Lions

CFY 0-4 Locksheath Lions

Pre-Season Friendly – 8th September 2007

Starting extremely well, Chandlers Ford had the better of the first half but could not repeat their performance in the second as they eventually went down by four goals.

Defending very well with James Parsonage and Jake Beattie in particular standing out alongside both Michael’s as well as good goalkeeping from Liam Godfrey, meant Locksheath were unable to find a way through.

CFY looked solid throughout the park in fact, David Bromhead put in yet another glowing performance in the centre of midfield, stringing together nice passes and breaking up the play when he had to also.

Up the front, David and Joe looked sharp linking up well. One move midway through the half saw Montigue hold the ball up before playing the ball through for Smith but following this good move, the shot unluckily, went over the cross bar.

Despite the Lions coming closest with a shot coming back off the cross bar, Chandlers Ford took charge and dealt with everything thrown at them as well as attacking as a unit.

On the stroke of half time, Ford were very unfortunate not to have taken the lead as Michael Sawbridge’s superb, pinpoint delivery from the back, was met by an excellent finish from Joe to lob the keeper and find the back of the net.

The linesman had his flag up for offside however, and it wasn’t to be, though it did look like a tight call.

HALF TIME: CFY 0-0 Locksheath Lions

Ringing the changes at the break to give everyone a chance, unsettled the home team’s momentum having played so well in the first period.

Straight from kick off Lee Robertson, who had replaced Liam in goal, was under fierce pressure and had to block with his legs immediately.

It wasn’t long before Locksheath had gone 1-0 up after just a few attacks on goal. CFY cracked and were unable to stop the pace and liveliness of the visitors strikers.

Ford went 2-0 down, failing to pick up their players from a throw in.

The game went quiet for a bit and Chandlers Ford began to pick up slightly, but Lee soon found himself pulling off a number of saves to keep the score respectable.

As it was, the Lions it has to be said deservedly, went on to score a further two late on.

The score probably doesn’t tell the full story as there was pretty much just the one side in it first half.

All in all, a much-improved result from this time last year when we lost 7-1.

FULL TIME: CFY 0-4 Locksheath Lions

Amazing Fightback, Not Quite Enough

CFY 3-5 Winchester B
Pre-Season Friendly – 6th September 2007

In a game of two halves, this mid-week friendly saw a close game settled in the end by a narrow margin.

CFY will be delighted with the way they fought back in the second half after being largely outplayed in the first, conceding three soft goals.

Ford began brightly however, and probably should have taken the lead well before Winchester opened the scoring.

Probably against the run of play, the visitors were awarded a penalty and this ultimately changed the game from that moment to put Winchester on the front foot.

Michael Sawbridge took the legs of their forward just inside the area, with the referee left no choice but to point to the spot. From the kick, the ball was fired to Lee’s right and into the bottom corner for 0-1.

It got worse for Chandlers Ford as Winchester made the most of their opponents dropping their heads.

A cross coming into the CFY penalty area moments later, saw a well guided header find the back of the net as Winchester stretched their advantage to two goals.

Just before the break, a quick attack saw the Winchester forward break free, before slotting past the advancing keeper.

HALF TIME: CFY 0-3 Winchester B

Winchester continued where they left off finding a fourth goal through a well stuck volley from the right hand side, though it was all about Chandlers Ford in the second half in their superb comeback that deserved a whole lot more.

At four goals down, it appeared the home side were down and out – full credit for the way they worked their way back into the match.

It came with a thunderbolt of a strike to get the ball rolling. Michael Sawbridge stepping up to fire an unbelievable finish into the top corner from way out, past the halfway line, as the centre half was quickest to react to a clearance from a Josh Harragan long throw.

This was a huge relief for CFY and gave them tremendous hope to push on from there, and this is exactly what they did, with tremendous all round effort.

Jozef Montigue helped to pull another back within a matter of minutes. Sawbridge’s dangerous corner from the right made it’s way to the back post and was met by a brave header under pressure from Montigue who got in behind his marker to nod home from close range, bringing the scores even closer.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Montigue continued an excellent second half performance to get CFY to within one goal of being level. A Harragan throw was never dealt with by the Winchester back line, allowing the superb Tom Pope; who was nothing short of exceptional since coming on at the break, to back heel the ball cleverly into the path of Montigue. Joe needed no second invitation as he blasted a fine effort into the top corner from the edge of the area for his second of the match.

Even getting to this stage was a credit to all of the players, but unfortunately the equaliser didn’t come, despite the best efforts.

Ford dictated all the play and pinned their opponents back with chances from Pope, Wall and Beattie all coming close.

A late free kick from Sawbridge out on the right came within a whisker of squaring things up, which would have been a fair reflection on the game had it gone in. It wasn’t to be as the fine long shot brushed sidenetting.

Right in the final few stages, CFY’s tremendous second half display may not have been enough to win the game, but will give every confidence for the season ahead and many positives can be taken from this.

With virtually the last kick of the game, Winchester were awarded a free kick for a foul by David Smith and from it, the visitors found the top corner with a top drawer effort.

Well done all of you, for a tremendous battling performance and for the attitude shown to play your way back into contention.

Men of the match, Tom Pope and Joe.

FULL TIME: CFY 3-5 Winchester B

Ford Crash Back Down to Earth!

CFY 3-7 Ranville Rangers
Pre-Season Friendly - 1st September 2007

After last week's storming win over Totton, Chandlers Ford were handed a reality check this morning at the hands of Ranville Rangers – a side they have beaten in past seasons.

Having gone 1-0 up through a Michael Sawbridge penalty, following a foul on Joe in the area, the visitors hit back quickly with some lovely football.

CFY did however make a good opening to the game, obviously getting the goal from the spot kick to take an early lead but even before then the Blues looked dangerous with the long ball over the top with Montigue and Smith putting pressure on the Rangers back four.

Immediately after, Sawbridge fired home from 12 yards – picking out the bottom left hand corner, captain Josh Harrigan was forced to leave the field with a back injury to unsettle Chandlers Ford defensively.

Unusually, having gone a goal in front, this seemed to work against Ford as Ranville upped their game; passing the ball well and making the most of the space they were allowed to play in, the visitors played their way through to an equaliser with a free-flowing move that resulted in a good finish.

Ford were soon 1-2 down when another well-worked Ranville goal made a mockery of some lacklustre defending.

Straight from the kick off, CFY found an instant reply and came right back into the game when just moments ago it seemed things were heading down hill rapidly. Michael's long ball up the park from centre half, saw the Ranville defence incapable of dealing with the pace and bounce on the delivery allowing Jozef Montigue to run through on goal, out sprint his marker, before slotting past the keeper into the bottom right hand corner to level things up.

Other chances throughout the half saw Michael Wall come close when he ran through from full back to shoot narrowly wide of the post. Miles Hodge who put in a solid display in the centre of midfield, set up Montigue with a fine header. Joe on this occasion was very unlucky to see his flying volley fall just the wrong side of the net.

With time running down, Ranville restored their lead and momentum with a third goal to knock the stuffing out of CFY before the break.

HALF TIME: CFY 2-3 Ranville Rangers

Their was only one side in it really from here on, as Ford had all but given up hope whilst Rangers dominated the play.

Chandlers Ford lost Montigue in the second half, as the goalscorer found himself unable to continue after picking up a knock.

Rangers went on to grab four more goals throughout the remainder of the match, their better use of the ball and passing movements too much to handle for the home side.

Right at the end, Harrigan, who had gone off earlier in the game, had come back on in the second half and looked the most lively player on the park in a blue shirt with brave defending to stop further humiliation, not to mention sending in one trademark long throw after the other; in the final few stages to earn himself the man of the match award.

This pressure from CFY was deservedly rewarded with a goal, Harrigan claiming it with his dangerous throw (better than a corner!), bouncing off the head of a Ranville defender up into the top left hand corner of his own goal in a crowded penalty area to pull it back to 3-5.

Though it was too little too late. Ranville punishing the poor concentration of their opponents still finding time to net their sixth and seventh goals of the day to kill the game off.

FULL TIME: CFY 3-7 Ranville Rangers

Totton Brushed Aside

CFY 14-1 Totton Tornadoes
Pre-Season Friendly - 25th August 2007

If ever there was a perfect way to boost your confidence in front of goal, it was this very game for CFY as they dominated from start to finish and in the end it became a bit of a mockery for the visitors Totton of Division 6 in the Tyro.

This being the first game back following a short break, gave Richard and Neil the opportunity to see their new signings in action for the first time whilst giving the squad valuable match practice.

Their were goals flying in from all angles - left, right and centre as CFY took command from the very first whistle.

In the opening stages both Michael Wall and Michael Sawbridge confidently strode forwards from defence powering their way through and having good efforts fall narrowly wide of goal.
It wasn't long before the first goal came when a long ball forward from Sawbridge found Jozef Montigue in the clear and he did all the rest with a decent finish past the helpless keeper.

New signing, one of six over the summer, David Smith looked lively and ran the line well up front and it was he who created the second goal just moments later. Montigue again in the right place at the right time to turn home Smith's cross to make it 2-0.

Confidence now brimming all around, Michael Wall found himself on the scoresheet with a typical stylish long range volley from the edge of the area – despite playing left back. The keeper stood no chance as the shot flew into the top right hand corner.

Smith made it 4-0 when Joe returned the compliment of his second goal to turn provider. David ran through on goal and finished into the bottom right hand corner.

Before the half was up, there was still plenty of time for more goals. Michael Wall grabbing his second of the game from close range for goal number five.

David Bromhead added to an ever-growing tally minutes later finding the net from a corner kick on the right hand side.

HALF TIME: CFY 6-0 Totton Tornadoes

The second half was told the same story only this time things got worse for the visitors.

Playing with a bare minimum of eleven players, one of which was borrowed from CFY (Alex Evens in the first half and Jake Beattie helping out in the second), Totton lost a further two players due to cut knees from the astro turf surface.

Ryan Dennis finding space and freedom down the left opened his account for the new season with a stunning strike finding the roof of the net with great power.

Not only did the goals keep coming, but they seemed to be improving with quality – though you couldn't help but feel sorry for the struggling opponents.

Right out of the top drawer, David Bromhead picked out the top left hand corner with an incredible volley with his weaker left foot from a corner ball. This his second and Ford's eighth of the game.

Back on his own side having played out of position as a centre half for Totton during the first half, Alex Evens popped up to fire his first goal for the club.

David Smith continued the rout to make it 10-0, before a little bit of controversy.

After a long delay due to a further Totton injury, Michael Wall took a corner on the left when play restarted and as it came back out to him there was some debate as to whether the ball crossed the line as the CFY defender took it into his stride. The referee was uncertain and play continued though the Totton defence were bemused by this, meanwhile Wall helped himself to a hat trick and the goal stood – not that it would have made much difference to the outcome of course!

Ryan Dennis and Alex Evens picked up a further one apiece to bag themselves doubles for the match as the lead stretched to 13-0.

By which point, CFY had sacrificed their goalkeeper Lee Robertson, who had very little to do between the sticks for his own side so he was offered to Totton to give them an extra player. The Totton stopper moving to the outfield.

Michael Wall jumped at the chance to test himself as a keeper and did make one decent save before conceding a late goal as just Mark Legskovska and Miles Hodge found themselves at the back trying to defend against three, with all other blue shirts pushed forward – perhaps not taking as seriously as they would usually with the game never ever being a contest at any stage.
The match finally came to an end when a delighted Michael Sawbridge, got his deserved goal after several decent attempts to get his just rewards powering his way through before beating Lee with a quality strike.

One for the self-esteem – I guess? Still decent performances all round albeit against lesser opposition. The new signings all doing very well. Tom Pope and Miles Hodge having good games, in particular first half were Tom nearly scored firing narrowly over the bar and Miles looked solid in the centre of midfield with a good battling display.

The usual suspects aside, David Bromhead and Ryan Dennis also looked particularly positive. Well done all.

FULL TIME: CFY 14-1 Totton Tornadoes