CITY OF PORTSMOUTH 1, HASLEMERE II 2

ON a day when most other club fixtures were ‘frosted off’, Haslemere 2nd XI saw action in Portsmouth and recorded a valuable win that raised them above the City side into eighth place in Hampshire 1.

Although Haslemere were on top at first, Portsmouth were dangerous on the break. Zac Thomas then got a green card and with the visitors down to ten, Portsmouth ramped up the pressure and deservedly took the lead.

Tom Gee made a series of fine stops to keep Portsmouth at bay and, with only one goal in it as half-time approached, Haslemere struck back.

Jamie Cashman’s shot was stopped by the keeper’s pads, but the ball rebounded kindly and Cashman squeezed it against the backboard.

The second half was tense and even. Portsmouth, with no little pace and skill in their side, refused to let Haslemere dominate.

The action hotted up as Cashman had a goal disallowed and then Matt Hemming received a yellow card for a wild challenge.

With time running out, Haslemere were desperate for a goal. Draws would not do at this stage of the season.

A short corner gave them their last chance. Alasdair McGregor whipped the ball across the D and after a deflection off a Portsmouth player, Matt Putnam hooked in the very welcome winner.

* Haslemere 1st XI’s home game against Wanderers was amongst the many postponed fixtures.

* Aldershot & Farnham’s Hampshire 2 match against title rivals Bournemouth fell victim to the freezing weather. The fixture has been pushed back until the end of the season.