SOUTHAMPTON II 2, HASLEMERE II 3

WITH three games remaining, and a nine-point buffer separating them from tenth-placed Fareham III, Haslemere 2nd XI knew that a victory over bottom side Southampton II would all but guarantee their survival in Hampshire Division?One.

Their mindset was evident from the off – solid defence and look to counter-attack. Will Hams, Ed Easton and Ben Duchesne showed pace and penetration against a shaky Southampton defence. In the first half alone, the post was hit three times, twice by skipper Charlie Millsom and once by Hams.

The stalemate continued until, in the second half, a simple short-corner routine delivered the vital first goal for Haslemere. Olly Bamber injected to Millsom who slipped the ball under his arm for Ali McGregor to slap into goal.

Southampton, though, were offered a way back when keeper Jamie Cashman fell awkwardly on his knee at a short corner, leaving him immobile for the rest of the game. The home team capitalised and scored twice in quick succession to lead 2-1 with 12 minutes to go.

However, Southampton redressed the balance when their captain was sin-binned and McGregor promptly scored from a penalty corner.

The momentum had changed and Haslemere had victory in sight. Millsom propelled the ball to the top of the D and Jack Dennis, picking the ball up on the run, beat a defender and, on his reverse, rocketed the ball into the top left corner. A stunning finish to clinch the points.

Andover II 4, Haslemere II 6 (Hants Open League Cup Qtr-Final). Haslemere were a goal down at half-time in Sunday’s cup match, but roared back with six goals in the second half to finally see off Andover 6-4 and earn a semi-final against Southampton University III.

* Haslemere 1st XI picked up a useful point in their relegation battle with a 2-2 draw against Epsom at Woolmer Hill.

James Midmer scored twice for Epsom, while Chris Fox and Graham Stopher hit the target for the Blues.

Haslemere have three games left to pull themselves out of the bottom two. They travel to Reigate this Saturday and host Havant II on March 25.

With a game in hand over fellow strugglers Chichester and Fareham, Haslemere’s fate could well be decided on Sunday, April 2 when they entertain bottom side Wanderers in a rescheduled Regional 1 fixture.