ALRESFORD TN 2, HORNDEAN 1

ALRESFORD fielded three new signings in this local derby and picked up three vital points from their third league win of the season – and this against a side challenging for Wessex League honours.

New between the posts was Ben Kneller, who was a prominent member of the Alresford side that won promotion to the Wessex Premier in 2007 – as an outfield player!

The other newcomers were midfielder Gary Fulker and centre-back Iain Calder, both experienced Wessex League campaigners.

Neither side had played since mid-December, so the players could be forgiven for being rusty. But there was no sign of that from the Magpies, who had trained hard during the weather-enforced break.

They tore into Horndean from the start and took the lead in the 11th minute. After linking up on the left with Rian Jima-Otero, John Howard fed Tom Donaldson who cut in and directed a bouncing shot across keeper Del Harding and in at the far post.

Alresford continued to look sharp and added a second goal on the half-hour. Craig Bryant played a long ball forward from central defence and Howard, controlling superbly on his chest, rounded his marker to fire under the diving Harding.

Horndean had hardly figured as an attacking force in the first half, but were much better in the second and Kneller had plenty to do.

However, the hosts should have wrapped the game up when John Mulhern was brought down in the box by by Dan Hayes who duly received a second yellow card. But Mulhern’s spot kick came back off the post and the Deans hacked the ball to safety.

The Magpies’ numerical advantage didn’t last long. On 60 minutes, it became ten-a-side as Simon Everett was shown a second yellow for a tackle on substitute Robbie Tambling.

In the latter stages, the visitors piled on the pressure and Kneller made two miraculous saves with his legs, while Jima-Otero got back to make an important clearance off the line.

Horndean halved the deficit from another penalty, on 82 minutes, when Calder, struggling with a knee injury, handled Josh Maloney’s cross. Nathan Kirby scored from the spot to set up a tense finale.

But Alresford held on to bank a vital three points and hopefully kick-start their fight against relegation.