TEAM SOLENT 4, ALRESFORD TN 1

ALRESFORD Town’s two-game mini winning streak came to an end after a severe examination by the young, fit, enthusiastic and talented students of Team Solent at Test Park.

But it was the students who had to learn a hard lesson in the first half. Despite dominating against an Alresford side depleted by injuries and absences, the sides went in level 1-1 at half-time.

The home side had a deflected shot well saved after just 40 seconds, and by the time Martin Johnson headed them into the lead, they had already carved out six clear-cut chances and had a goal disallowed.

As Alresford struggled to get to grips with the home side’s pace and movement, that profligacy continued. Jesse Waller-Larssen and Oluwatori Adekunle squandered ten first-half chances on their own.

Gradually, though, the Solent storm began to blow itself out and after Ollie Yates brought the best out of the keeper with a free-kick, Alresford struck back on 35 minutes.

A quick, accurate interchange saw John Howard play Rian Jima-Otero through. The youngster’s confident finish gave him his third goal in as many games and Alresford an unlikely parity at half-time.

For ten minutes after the break, the game was in the balance. Gary Fulker drove Alresford forward and they pressed and probed, but couldn’t find a finish.

The home side weathered that little storm and began to apply relentless pressure. They got their reward after 66 minutes when Alresford failed to clear a corner and Adekunle scored from close range.

Alresford fought back gamely, but they tired and twice left themselves open by losing the ball needlessly in their opponents’ last third. Team Solent substitute James Taylor capitalised on both occasions.

A word, finally, about Mike Weatherall who made at least three outstanding saves and around half a dozen which were merely excellent in as good a goalkeeping display as you could wish for.

The Magpies failed this examination in the end, but they have to pass at least six of the league tests they face in the next two months if they are to survive in the Wessex League Premier Division.

Better cheer for Alresford in midweek as they reached the semi-finals of the Aldershot FA Senior Cup with an excellent extra-time victory over Eversley & California. It was 2-2 at the end of normal time, but the Magpies eventually came through 4-3 after extra time.