HASLEMERE II 1, TROJANS III 1

HASLEMERE twos have struggled to find their best form since Christmas, but a win at Alton this week should clinch a club promotion double.

The leaders still need to win at home to second-placed Southampton II and then at Isle of Wight, currently third, to lift the Hampshire 2 title.

A win over Trojans III at Woolmer Hill would have put the Blues in touching distance of promotion, but the young and quick visitors earned a draw and very nearly won the game.

Jack Dennis saw an early rocket shot fly over the bar and Ali Gloak fired some wicked balls towards the back post. But chances went begging, Will Hams missed a sitter, and frustration got the better of Charlie Millsom’s men.

Trojans grabbed the lead against the run of play from a short corner after a superb initial save by Jamie Cashman. Haslemere, meanwhile, wasted several short corners due to poor pull-outs and some fine saves by a very agile keeper.

The second half was the same story: Haslemere on top, but no end product and the forwards still misfiring.

Elliott Hall, with an open goal to flick into, saw his effort kiss the top of the bar, while left-back Matt Putnam shot woefully wide after beating several players.

Relief was finally provided by Matt Hemming, who hadn’t scored for nearly a month, when he lobbed the keeper beautifully into the top right-hand corner for the elusive equaliser.