ALRESFORD TN 3, FAWLEY 2

ALRESFORD were in raptures after winning the Wessex Premier League basement battle, but this needs to be only the first of a series of victories if they are to escape the drop.

John Howard scored twice as Alresford edged a dramatic victory, both sides ending up with nine men at a wet Arlebury Park.

Alresford manager Martin Beck gave a debut to defender Dan Molyneaux, newly signed from Brockenhurst, while Sam Carter made a welcome return from suspension.

The slippery pitch cut up increasingly and there were mistakes aplenty from both defences.

Alresford took the lead on just eight minutes when Carter pierced the heart of the Fawley defence with a superb run and squared the ball for an unmarked Rian Jima-Otero to stroke home.

On 35 minutes came the flare-up that reduced both sides to nine. Jima-Otero’s attempt to block a clearance was late and clearly a foul; the Fawley player reacted angrily and with players on both sides piling in, it was difficult to distinguish the aggressors from the peacemakers. Eventually, Jima-Otero and team-mate Tom Donaldson were sent for an early bath, along with Fawley defenders Chris Lucas and Aaron Lucas.

Mike Weatherall preserved Alresford’s lead with a good save from Charlie Willett and, just before half-time, Howard doubled the advantage with a real howitzer from outside the box that flew into the top right corner.

Fawley redoubled their efforts in the second half and pulled one back in only four minutes, Nathan Gray winning his tussle for possession on the right touchline and crossing for Willett to ram home.The Magpies had what looked a good penalty shout turned down when Howard appeared to have his heels clipped by Matt Hawkins. However, there was no doubt about Craig Bryant’s foul on Ben Bolton at the other end and Dan Fry converted the penalty to make it 2-2 on 62 minutes.

Fawley looked the fitter side in the last quarter, although Aaron Blaxall never stopped running for Alresford.

But Fawley’s finishing was wayward and Alresford almost scored again when Jamie Bentley rose above keeper Deace Kerrison to head Grant Young’s cross goalwards, only for Bolton to get back and hack the ball off the line. Then Bolton could have won it for Fawley, shooting wide with only Weatherall to beat.

Going into added time, the depleted sides seemed destined to share the points. Howard had other ideas and popped up to toe-end John Mulhern’s pass beyond the advancing Kerrison from a tight angle.

ALRESFORD 2, FAREHAM 1

Things look just a bit rosier for Alresford after a second win in four days, although they had to dig deep to beat fellow strugglers Fareham at Arlebury Park on Tuesday.

For the second game running, Rian Jima-Otero scored the opener, although he needed three attempts to beat Tommy Taylor after the keeper had blocked his first two efforts.

That was on nine minutes and it was close to half-time when Alresford scored again. A linesman spotted a handball by Sean Howe and Sam Carter smashed home the penalty.

The visitors came back strongly in the second half and, on 67 minutes, substitute Josh Taylor found space to beat John Howard at his near post and pull it back to 2-1.

Thereafter, the home goal led a charmed life and it did not help when Grant Young was sent off for a reckless challenge.

Alresford’s ten men looked dead on their feet, but somehow negotiated five minutes of injury time to secure the three points and get within striking distance of the teams immediately above them.