HASLEMERE II 0, ALDERSHOT & FARNHAM 2

UNBEATEN Hampshire League leaders Aldershot & Farnham brought home another three points, but were made to work mighty hard by Haslemere 2nd XI in the local derby at Woolmer Hill.

There were chances at both ends in a close game, with neither team able to dominate for lengthy periods.

A&F were at fault for not putting the game out of reach, but Haslemere deserved credit for the determination that kept them in contention until the late stages.

Haslemere, who had scored 14 goals in their previous three games to move out of the bottom two, were content to sit deep early on and give Aldershot the time and space to swing the ball around the back line.

Although probing down both flanks, the visitors struggled to link midfield with attack, and were eventually forced to make tactical changes up and down the pitch. Skipper Charlie Rickett pushed into a more attacking position on the right of midfield, a role he relishes, and his forays down the right threatened to unlock Haslemere’s defence.

After linking up with Joe Whelan, Rickett slalomed through the back door to set up Rob Jervis, only for Haslemere to save the situation at the expense of a long corner.

The tide was turning in A&F’s favour and they should have taken the lead from a penalty flick after Marc Hinton was bundled over. Chris Edwards struck the ball hard to Ben Powell’s right, but the keeper was down sharply to save.

The let-off inspired Haslemere and they began to hit hard on the break and test A&F with an aerial bombardment. But the Farnham side’s defence had conceded just seven goals all season and were equal to the challenge.

Haslemere managed to win two short corners, though – the first charged down by Rickett and the next smartly saved by Hamish Hall.

The pattern continued in the second half and the result was in the balance when A&F finally broke through from a short corner, won by Kevin McCafferty’s determination around the top of the box. Hinton dragged the ball hard and low towards the right post and Ollie Yelland was there to deflect it against the backboard.

Far from unlocking the floodgates, Aldershot had some unnerving moments in their own goalmouth, not least when Hall denied Zac Thomas in a one-on-one. Cameron Moore should have scored when he rounded Hall, only for the ball to graze his shoulder before he could put it in the net.

The two-goal cushion craved by A&F was secured late on. Phil Rushmere’s short-corner strike was saved on the line and amidst appeals from both sides, Ian Metcalfe again showed his poacher’s instincts by picking up the loose ball and placing it in the goal. Job finally done.

Aldershot & Farnham are away to third-placed Salisbury this Saturday, while Haslemere II head to Yateley.