AFC Stoneham are back on the road following a disappointing result last week as they take on an in-form Christchurch side in the Wessex Premier League.

Christchurch:

The home team come into this game winning four of their last five matches, including a 1-0 win away from home last time out against United Services Portsmouth.

A wonder-goal from centre back Chris Speers was enough for Christchurch to return home with all three points, moving them up into 9th position in the table.

However, the Church will be without Fawzi Saadi for this clash as he received a straight red against U.S Portsmouth, a player who has played 19 games so far for them this season.

Christchurch have lost their top scorer Eder Batista, who has moved to Fareham Tow following his 11 goals this season, meaning that they have found goals hard to come by since his departure and will need other players to step up to get past a solid Stoneham defence.

AFC Stoneham:

The Purps come into this clash off the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to a resilient Baffins Milton Rovers, who are the first team to come away from Stoneham Lane in the league this season with a point.

Duarte Martins scored his 34th goal on his 34th start for the club, but that wasn’t enough as Roux Hardcastle in goal proved to be a problem for Stoneham yet again this season.

Despite not losing a game in their last 14 league matches, Stoneham have slipped down into third for the first time since early January, showing how tight it is at the top of the table.

Stoneham do not have the best record away record, especially compared to their home, but will almost certainly prove a tricky customer at Christchurch in the bid to move back into second and ‘do the double’ over the Church this season.

LastMeetings:

17/12/22 AFC Stoneham 2-0 Christchurch (PREM)

15/03/22- AFC Stoneham 5-0 Christchurch (PREM)

02/11/21- Christchurch 0-5 AFC Stoneham (PREM)

17/08/19- AFC Stoneham 0-1 Christchurch (PREM)

By Freddie Dorman