HASLEMERE LADIES 3, ALTON LADIES 1

VICTORY over their local rivals at Woolmer Hill sent Haslemere into mid-table in Hampshire Division One, while Alton remain third from bottom, three points above New Forest.

An intense warm-up set the tone for Haslemere and short, sharp passing earned them good possession.

However, Alton fought back and play swung from end to end until Haslemere cut off a long pass and Siobhan Orchard-Webb drove forward from the halfway line before slipping the ball across the face of goal for the speedy Jules Bernays to calmly strike home.

It remained 1-0 at half-time and with Donna Read raiding down the right and Ashley Davies and Hannah Enticknap combining well, Haslemere looked likely to turn pressure into further goals.

However, Alton hit back with some impressive build-up play and scored a well-worked goal five minutes into the half, Gayle Moir converting a cross in fine style at the far post.

Haslemere quickly regained the initiative and a superb baseline cross from Claire Powell was put away by Alex Hardy; 2-1 to the home side.

Alton should have pulled level again when they were awarded a penalty flick, but in-form keeper Eleanor Abrahams was not required to touch the ball as it flew over the top.

Defenders Jessica Edwards, Rebecca Mitchell, Izzy Breen and Mel Knight denied Alton further chances in a hard-fought, sometimes physical encounter.

Haslemere put the game to bed when another shot from Bernays was helped in by a skilful Powell deflection.

Jules Bernays was Haslemere’s outstanding player for her creative and inspiring work up front.