FAREHAM TN 4, ALRESFORD TN 1 (Sydenhams Premier League)

FAREHAM strolled to a comfortable win over Alresford at a draughty Cams Alder.

The Magpies were hoping to break a seven-game losing run and having beaten the Creeksiders 2-1 last month and shown a distinct improvement in their last two fixtures, the omens were promising.

But Fareham were sharper in the tackle, quicker to 50-50 balls, and more creative in difficult conditions. In the end, the hosts thoroughly deserved their victory.

Ex-Portchester striker Simon Woods was a constant threat with his intelligent running and had a hand in his side’s first three goals. On 10 minutes, Woods held the ball up before laying it off to Liam Kimber whose shot found the bottom corner.

Shortly before half-time, Woods darted in to get a slight touch to an inswinging Josh Taylor cross and the ball beat John Howard to nestle in the far corner.

With the wind behind them in the second half, the Magpies hoped to get back in contention and if Jack Goodship’s volley on the turn had flown just under the bar rather than skimming off its upper edge, they might have done just that.

But soon Woods reduced the visitors’ defence to tatters again with a solo run from halfway and a neat finish.

Fareham put the game to bed when Ash Tattersall, not exactly the tallest player on the field, somehow got the better of John Howard in the air from Taylor’s free-kick and nodded in the Creeksiders’ fourth.

Alresford’s consolation goal came in injury time, Sam Carter scoring from a tight angle after good work by Tom Donaldson.