HASLEMERE 3, HAC 3

MITCH Chapman capped his return to the side with a late equaliser as Haslemere salvaged a point against the Honourable Artillery Company at Woolmer Hill.

It was only Haslemere’s second draw of the season, but the 3-3 result takes them another step closer to promotion.

Haslemere retain a healthy lead at the top of the Hants/Surrey Regional 2, seven points ahead of London Academicals and eight ahead of third-placed Sunbury, who lost 2-0 at home to Romsey.

Having conceded only one goal in their last three games, Haslemere were unhappy to have their defence breached three times in a feisty affair which produced 13 cards shared between the teams.

The Blues, who had not received one card in the previous three games, were frustrated by some of the decisions and had to show their battling qualities to get something from the game.

The match was perhaps competitive to excess, but was generally fairly fought between two committed sides.

And it started so well for Haslemere. Great build-up play by Campbell Hancock and Grant Roberts in midfield released Alex Messenger into the visitors’ 25. He had time to shoot, but spotted a better option and threaded the ball through to Andy Powell who smashed his shot home.

But the lead lasted only a matter of minutes as HAC attacked down the right to score their first equaliser.

Graham Stopher restored Haslemere’s lead, blasting the ball high past the keeper at his near post, only for HAC to restore parity on the stoke of half-time after seizing on a miss-pass.

And it was HAC who ramped up the pressure in the second half and deservedly took the lead for the first time in the 54th minute.

Back came a spirited Haslemere as the clock began to run down. They forced a short corner and Chapman’s fine drag-flick rescued a point in the 68th minute.