Christchurch 2 Laverstock & Ford 1

Christchurch 2 Laverstock & Ford 1

Sydenhams Wessex League – Premier Division

Laverstock team: Toomer, Morgan (Bangura), Martin (White), Pearson, Gallagher, Davies (c), Mulcahy, Styles, Chudy, Heath, Bamba.

Subs (not used): Jones, Ntim-Addae, Wykes.

Scorer: Heath.

Att: 70.

LAVERSTOCK & Ford boss Ady Burford was left to rue some controversial refereeing decisions that he said cost his side at Christchurch on Saturday.

The hosts should have gone ahead on nine minutes when Tom Price hit the post and Ben Osborne missed from the loose ball.

Dan Crutchley hit the bar with a header before Price crossed for Osborne to net the opener on 25 minutes.

Yousef Bamba got to the byline and crossed for Adam Heath to equalise, but Christchurch regained the advantage just two minutes before the break when Price fed Mark Smith who finished coolly.

Laverstock pushed for another leveller in the second half, and felt they should have had one when Bamba was awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, after his trailing leg had diverted the ball into a dangerous position from the byline but the referee insisted on pulling the play back.

They were also denied a penalty when Kieran Mulcahy was brought down.

“The referee admitted he could have done better,” said Burford.

“They make mistakes and admit it afterwards, but that’s no good to you when you’ve lost the game because of them.”

He added: “In the second half we came out and dominated proceedings.

“Rob Gallagher was probably the outstanding player on the pitch.

“And Adam Pearson was outstanding.

“He was with Salisbury City youth and we picked him up from Chalke Valley.

“He is only 18 and will be a very good Wessex League player.”

They will enter the Wiltshire Senior Cup at the second round stage on Saturday, November 14, away to Purton of the Hellenic League Division One West.

*The reserves lost 3-1 at home to Poole Town in the Combination Cup, Eddie Perrett scoring their goal. They go to Petersfield Town on Saturday.