ALDERSHOT & FARNHAM 3, WINCHESTER III 1

ALDERSHOT & Farnham maintained their winning streak, although not reaching quite the same heights of last week when they demolished Isle of Wight 9-0.

This time, they had to be satisfied with a mere three goals against Winchester 3rd XI at Heath End.

It was the city side’s last chance to close the gap on unbeaten A&F who are well on the way to turning Hampshire 2 into a two- horse race with leaders Bournemouth II.

Aware of this, the home side worked hard from the first whistle to snuff out Winchester’s chances.

A&F quickly moved ahead with a brace of Ian Jennings goals, both trademark strikes from short-corner routines – the first buried top left, the second nutmegging a stranded keeper.

Jamie Strachan was making good ground up the left flank and a skilful one-two with Alan Coote set up a clear shooting chance, only for the ball to deflect high and wide off the keeper’s pad and then post.

The home side’s dominance was total in this half, with the work-rate of the forwards ensuring that Winchester could not get a foothold in the game.

By the interval, Aldershot & Farnham had moved beyond 300 minutes without conceding a goal, but the second half would see that run come to an end.

Winchester rallied and a breakaway through their midfield led to a strong challenge in the D and a penalty corner. The resulting strike was heading wide, but an onrushing forward added a deflection that sent the ball against the backboard.

A&F immediately took the game back to Winchester and after shots from Ian Metcalfe and Aaron Buchanan, captain Phil Rushmere found himself unmarked in the D and calmly slotted past the keeper to restore the two-goal cushion.

There were several more chances for both sides in the closing stages. Aaron Straker and Max Heaphy both denied Winchester with last-ditch tackles, while Stafford Brown and Felix Evans were foiled by the valiant city keeper at the other end.

This Saturday, A&F travel to Chichester 3rd XI, hoping to continue their winning form and extend their goal-difference advantage over top side Bournemouth.