HASLEMERE II 4, SOUTHAMPTON II 2

AFTER six defeats on the bounce, Haslemere could not afford to lose this Hampshire 1 bottom-of-the-table clash to their fellow 2nd XI from Southampton.

Skipper Charlie Millson had a stronger side at his disposal and Haslemere made the brighter start, working well for each other off the ball and maintaining a high pace to evade the Southampton press.

The first goal was a cracker. Matt Tite, after winning possession in his own half, released Ali Gloak who played a great ball to the edge of the D where Millsom turned inside his man to smash a low shot on his reverse into the bottom corner.

Haslemere continued to pile on the pressure and some silky play by Alfie Dennis and Zac Thomas won a short corner. The decision was simple – give the ball to Elliott Hall at the top of the circle and the midfielder duly beat the diving keeper.

Southampton beat Matt Short from a short corner of their own and, thereafter, the game opened up.

And it was Haslemere who increased their lead. Former keeper Jamie Cashman won the ball back for his team and slipped in Millsom who again found the bottom corner.

In the second half, Millsom was unlucky to miss his hat-trick with a deflection that glanced off the post. Southampton then pulled it back to 3-2 and it was anyone’s game.

Cashman made sure of the points. Young forward Dennis drilled the ball into the D where it was met by Cashman’s stick and flew into the net. The Blues had dug deep and ground out a vital victory.

Haslemere II squad: Short, Gloak, Stote, Tite, Gregory, McGregor, Fry, Hall, Bamber, Appan, Thomas, Dennis, Millsom, Cashman.

* Haslemere 1st XI tightened up their defence after their frenetic 5-4 win against Barnes last week, but forgot how to score goals on Saturday and lost 1-0 at Epsom. Haslemere, who drop to ninth in the Hants/Surrey Regional 1, are home to Reigate Priory this Saturday.