ALDERSHOT & FARNHAM 4, SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY 1

ALDERSHOT & Farnham had to come from behind to beat mid-table Southampton University and maintain their unbeaten record in Hampshire Division One.

University, the only team to have scored more than once against A&F this season, were full of running as they pushed forward early in the game.

A formation with three defenders and a packed midfield limited A&F’s favoured high-tempo game and the students went ahead from a short corner, with keeper Hamish Hall beaten low to his right.

A&F stuck to their game plan, though, and soon drew level, also from a short corner, which Marc Hinton flicked low and right for a sliding Ian Metcalfe to deflect over the keeper.

Almost immediately, Hall denied University at the other end and, as the game began to open up, Hinton made a silky dribble into the D, only to see his shot blocked by Metcalfe as he tried to dive out of the way.

In the sodden conditions, A&F continued to push for an opening and eventually found it as the lively Hinton picked up possession and cut to his left before beating the keeper from five yards.

The students’ frustration was showing, but it was AFD’s Max Heaphy who received a green card for retaliation.

The second half began in increasingly miserable conditions, but Aldershot were determined to improve on quality and put the game out of sight.

In a move straight from the training ground, Charlie Rickett and Chris Edwards played the ball out from a defensive free-hit. Ed Rushmere released it quickly to cousin Phil Rushmere and a quick turn and cross by Rob Jervis saw the ball put in at the far post by Metcalfe, the expert poacher.

Southampton continued to press and stayed in contention as A&F became a little ruffled. Both Rushmeres were lucky not to receive a card when an opponent tripped and skipper Rickett was forced to spend time on the bench as the officials took umbrage at the gentle advice of head coach Ian Jennings on the sideline.

Edwards valiantly carried on with a head injury and recovered well to deflect a dangerous cross wide.

The perseverance of the A&F forwards and midfield finally led to the conclusive fourth goal. Joe Whelan dispossessed a defender and released Hinton whose smart pass found Ollie Yelland in the D and his scuffed shot wrongfooted the goalkeeper.

The scoreline perhaps flattered Aldershot & Farnham who will be disappointed to have now conceded goals three games running. Second-placed Bournemouth kept the deficit to five points with a 3-2 win at Havant and face bottom side Trojans this week.

A&F visit fast-improving Haslemere 2nd XI who thrashed Weymouth 8-1 last weekend.

A&F squad: Hall, Edwards, Rickett, Weston, Strachan, E Rushmere, P Rushmere, McCafferty, Jervis, Whelan, Heaphy, Chadwick, Hinton, Metcalfe, Yelland.