YATELEY 0, ALDERSHOT & FARNHAM 4

FREE-SCORING Hampshire 1 leaders Aldershot & Farnham put four goals past third-placed Yateley, giving a performance that coach Ian Jennings, never lavish with his praise, described as “outstanding and the best of the season.”

An earlier cup match between the teams had ended with honours even, but A&F showed how much they have progressed over two months by blowing Yateley away.

Yet Yateley’s early pressure had A&F on the back foot, with the defence finding it hard to break the home side’s press. Aldershot could have gone behind when a risky cross-field pass from Charlie Rickett gave Yateley a free shot, but keeper Hamish Hall rescued the situation with a vital double save.

A&F kept their discipline and shape and gradually played themselves into the game. A series of short corners followed and A&F suddenly had a two-goal cushion.

Marc Hinton beat the diving keeper with a low shot and then defender Chris Edwards took charge of a wayward injection to move across the top of the D and slam the ball home.

Now dominant, A&F added a third goal after a text-book move across the backs, up the right wing and into the D, Joe Whelan finishing off with a first-time shot, despite being flattened in the process.

The second half saw only one more goal, but plenty of action and an even stronger performance from a stingy Aldershot side determined to limit Yateley’s chances.

There were setbacks, though, with Jonny Groves and Rickett (carried off) retiring injured and Edwards picking up a green card.

Yateley won several short corners, but the A&F defence held firm. Jamie Strachan made more than one timely clearance, while Ed Rushmere and Jamie Weston put their bodies on the line to keep the ball out.

A diving Kevin McCafferty came within inches of scoring before the Farnham side at last got the fourth goal.

Rob Jervis made good ground up the left and a skilful back-stick pass across the face of goal allowed Ian Metcalfe to finish with the deftest of touches.

Both teams collected cards for back-chat, but the match ended with A&F still in charge and Yateley tiring fast after soaking up relentless pressure.

Aldershot close the first half of the league season with another tough fixture when second-placed Bournemouth II visit Heath End School (2.15pm start)

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