SALISBURY II 2, HASLEMERE II 1

HASLEMERE 2nd XI suffered their first league defeat of the season at the somewhat unlikely hands of Salisbury II who started the day ninth in the table.

Despite the long trip into Wiltshire, The Hampshire 2 leaders got off to a racing start and were only denied an early lead by Salisbury’s in-form keeper who saved well from Will Hams, Charlie Millsom and Matt Hemming.

After a goalless first half, strong words from skipper Charlie Millsom and ‘senior pro’ Jason Moore fired up the leaders and they were unlucky to have a well-worked goal disallowed.

Salisbury then became more assertive and a short corner gave them the lead against the run of play.

And Haslemere found themselves with a mountain to climb when, in a one-on-one situation, a penalty flick was awarded against keeper Jamie Cashman and Salisbury duly converted.

Haslemere were far from finished, though, and after some slick counter-attacking play, Ali Gloak set up Hams who neatly lobbed the Salisbury keeper.

But it was not to be Haslemere’s day and they were far from happy when another penalty flick was given against Cashman in a one-on-one.

The furious keeper stopped the flick with his feet, but it was not enough to save his side from their first loss of the campaign.

Haslemere II: Cashman, Hedicker, Riglar, McGregor, Gloak, Moore, Dennis, Amesbury, Millsom, Thomas, Hams, Easton, Hemming.