The Reds dream of reaching the final came to an end on the South Coast on Sunday.
Both sides were adversely affected by the game being played on half-term weekend - Christchurch were down to ten and the Shots also had a couple missing (plus a few walking wounded from the previous days efforts in Bournemouth).
Yet again – when will we ever learn? It was Christchurch who looked the hungrier from the off and deservedly took the lead when Nathan Woolley could only parry a cross into the path of their striker who turned and finished with style.
As is so often the case, we “needed” to go a goal down before starting to play and equalised a couple of minutes later when Ben House broke free down the left wing and took his shot early (off the outside of his right foot) for a superb goal.
It’s usually, at this stage, that the boys settle down and start to play their football – not today though - for every crisp strike of the ball from a Christchurch player seemed to be met with an Aldershot scuff, slice or shank.
Halfway through the half, a soft free-kick was awarded to Christchurch on the right wing – yes, debatable – but no argument with either the quality of the sweetly struck free-kick, nor the outstanding movement and stunning finish from their striker.
2-1 Christchurch and things weren’t looking good. Somewhat against the run of play it was then the Shots that equalised again when Toby Elstow lashed a looping volley from fully 30 yards over their despairing keeper for a wonder goal out of nothing.
Game on again! With no let up in the frantic pace of the game we would have taken getting to half-time on level terms. Alas, it was not to be. An excellent Christchurch move and cross down the right was turned in at the back post by a midfielder who’d timed his run to perfection.
H/T 3-2 Christchurch.
The second half began in much the same vein as the first with Christchurch looking fitter, livelier and stronger. In truth, nothing much had happened before the moment that changed the match (about 10 minutes into the half). Let’s just leave it as – Christchurch then went 4-2 up, shall we?
The injustice of the goal knocked all the remaining stuffing out of the boys and Christchurch added a 5th after another 5 minutes and the game was gone. The remainder of the game was comfortable for them and the whole match was summed up (from an Aldershot perspective) in the last minute when Danny Thompson, at last, broke free from his shackles and had a one-on-one with their keeper, only to be brought down from behind by a combination of trip and shove.
Penalty to Aldershot and a chance for a consolation goal to take back up the M3 with us. Er……no penalty awarded.
F/T 5-2 Christchurch.
A fantastic performance from the Christchurch team and no complaints whatsoever about the result, we wish them all the best in the final.
Speaking after the game, Reds Manager Russ Woolley said: “I am so, so proud of the boys. How could I not be?
"Reaching the semi final of the Hampshire Cup in our first season together at 11-a-side? They’ve done ever so well to get as far as they did and exceeded my expectations and targets for them.
"In my opinion, we played a very good side and credit to the Christchurch players.”
League game next Sunday lads – remember them? No?? Well our last one was the 18th October, so I’m not surprised!!