HAMWORTHY 2, ALRESFORD TN 1

ALRESFORD missed a great chance to close in on the pack immediately above them in the lower reaches of the Sydenhams League Premier Division.

On a blustery afternoon in Dorset, the wind, and probably the worst pitch Alresford have played on all season, were factors in this defeat. But defensive uncertainty again proved their real downfall.

The Magpies began brightly and dominated the first 20 minutes.

A foul on Simon Everett – the offender was booked – led to Alresford scoring on 15 minutes. Brian Howard’s free-kick caused panic in the Hamworthy defence; the ball was crossed back in and Ollie Yates headed the simplest of goals.

But that was as good as it got for Alresford. Their game dropped off after an injury to Sammy Carter and the exertion of the extra-time win at Eversley in midweek seemed to take its toll on the players.

Ten minutes from half-time, Hamworthy drew level when a wind-assisted free-kick from the right eluded everyone except Kane Daysh who appeared to get the last headed touch.

Five minutes into the second half, Hamworthy had the lead. The ball was played in behind the Alresford defence and Brad Gale swept it home.

The Magpies were spurred into often frantic action in conditions which made thoughtful football almost impossible.

They should have drawn level when substitute Grant Young won the ball 20 yards out and dinked what looked a perfect lob over the keeper. But as he turned away to celebrate, the ball kicked off the uneven ground and shot up to hit the bar, enabling Hamworthy to scramble it clear.

In a frenetic finish, Alresford had several other half chances, but just couldn’t force the ball home.

So it was three more dropped points amd the Magpies will know that their slender chances of survival rely on whether they can win their remaining home games.

Alresford 1, Andover 3. Alresford suffered another damaging home defeat at a rain-drenched Arlebury Park in midweek.

Andover effectively put the game to bed in the first half with goals from former Alresford winger Danilo Cadete and Luke Walker, the latter scoring twice in eight minutes.

The Magpies were much better in the second half and Dan Molyneaux pulled one back after five minutes.

A few minutes later, John Mulhern’s powerful header brought an acrobatic save from Jamie Bray. If that had gone in, Alresford might have salvaged something, but Andover held out to cement their top-six position, while Alresford remain second from bottom.