Pitchero Non League

....overcame Brockenhurst 3-1 at Western Way on Bank Holiday Monday.

A Sam Griffin strike in the first half along with a Ben Osborne second half brace earned the Priory victory but they didn't have it all their own way.

Christchurch started the game brightly with Mark Smith causing problems. The midfielder sent a dangerous delivery into the box that Sam Griffin couldn't quite reach and then minutes later he had an effort from the edge of the box that clipped the top of the crossbar.

Callum Burt and Ben Osborne both also had opportunities early on but were unable to hit the target.

Brockenhurst then ventured forward after a quarter of an hour and Warren Kenna came close with an effort that dipped just past the post. Ashley Booker also came close for the Foresters shortly afterwards.

The deadlock was broken midway through the first half when Griffin drilled a low effort into the bottom corner past Scott O'Rourke in the Brockenhurst goal.

Brockenhurst responded well to going a goal behind, and Ben Sullivan had an effort saved by Joe Prodomo. Shortly afterwards, Brockenhurst sent a dangerous free kick into the penalty box. The kick evaded everybody including Prodomo and struck the post before being eventually cleared off the line.

Warren Kenna was the next to come close for Brock with a header that went over the crossbar and Christchurch preserved their lead going into half-time.

Three minutes after the restart and it was all-square when Kenna scored a contender for goal of the season.

Kenna saw Christchurch goalkeeper, Prodomo, off his line, and he launched an ambitious effort towards goal from fully 35 yards, which went over the stranded keepers' head and into the goal.

Christchurch then went back into the ascendency once again and Burt had an effort just over the bar.

Brockenhurst responded once again and Richard Morse and Carlo Tate both came close.

Fifteen minutes from time, there was a mix-up in defence with Scott O'Rourke and a Brockenhurst defender and Christchurch striker Osborne capitalised by firing the ball into the empty net.

Christchurch pushed to further their advantage and Mark Smith volleyed wide from an Osborne cross. Russell Cook then twice came close when firstly, he was denied by O'Rourke from close range and he then rounded the keeper only to have an effort cleared off the line. Morse went down the other end in a bid to find a late equaliser for Brockenhurst, but he shot just wide. Then Christchurch ventured forward and Paul Roberts was tripped inside the penalty box.

Osborne smashed home the spot-kick, sending O'Rourke the wrong way and sending the Christchurch supporters into raptures.

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