CITY OF PORTSMOUTH 0, HASLEMERE 4

HASLEMERE retained their iron grip at the top of Hants/Surrey 2 with their 13th victory in 15 matches and seventh in succession.

Their latest victims were basement side City of Portsmouth and Haslemere did not have to extend themselves too much in a fairly one-sided encounter.

The win leaves Haslemere seven points ahead of Sunbury & Walton with a game in hand. London Academicals slipped up again and are a further two points back in third place.

Haslemere needed only 16 minutes to take the lead when Rob Grech’s through-ball found James Bennett at the top of the D and the midfielder turned his man before sharply hitting into the goal.

Nic Cope, who scored five times in the earlier match against City, netted two more to take his tally to 33 for the season. His first came from a short corner as he linked up with skipper Rob Dilworth. His second-half strike was an individual effort after a run which carved open the Portsmouth defence.

Finally, Graham Stopher retrieved the ball just before it went off the back and weaved his way past two defenders before beating the exasperated Portsmouth goalkeeper with a low shot.

The Blues should have had more, but the city side defended pretty well, denying the visitors time and space inside the D.

Later in the day, Haslemere paid tribute to James Bennett who has played his last match for the club after a superb debut season. Having joined from Havant, Bennett fitted seamlessly into the Haslemere outfit and scored 23 goals – a remarkable return for a midfield player.

Captain Rob Dilworth said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure having James in the side this season. He has so much potential as a player. His professionalism and dedication, there’s no limit to what he can still achieve in the sport. Enjoy South Africa, James.”

Haslemere are home to HAC this Saturday (push-back 2pm at Woolmer Hill).

Haslemere: Short; Fox, Green, Dilworth; Grech, Roberts, Hancock, Bennett, Conoley, Cope, De Mello; Powell, Stopher. Goals: Bennett 16, Cope 24, 56, Stopher 67.

Haslemere 2nd XI’s home match against New Forest was postponed. The Hampshire 2 leaders travel to Salisbury II this Saturday.