HASLEMERE II 2, ALTON 0

HASLEMERE 2nd XI continued their perfect record at the top of Hampshire 2 with victory against a spirited Alton side at Woolmer Hill.

A typically strong start by the leaders brought them a goal inside ten minutes as Matt Hemming, latching onto a defence-splitting pass from Alastair Gloak, tucked the ball past keeper Lawrence Jones.

As the half progressed, Alton pressurised Haslemere’s midfield trio and only vital interceptions by Ali McGregor and Ed Easton in defence denied the visitors a goal.

Martin Kercher came closest for Alton who failed to make the most of a string of short corners.

Haslemere maintained their slender lead at the interval and the closely-contested battle continued in the second half.

Darting runs by Alton again put Haslemere under pressure and their advantage was only preserved by McGregor’s goal-saving swipe on the line as Kercher and fellow striker Stuart Gagen strove to equalise.

Then Haslemere came strong again and Zach Thomas hit the post as they pushed for a second goal.

It came when Jason Moore rifled the ball into the D and skipper Charlie Millsom made a scything run across the defence to get a deflection into the bottom corner.

The play that followed was fast, but disjointed. A messy period full of confrontation and no little skill from both sides, and it remained 2-0 to Haslemere who have now reeled off eight straight wins and conceded just four goals.