SHOTTERMILL & HASLEMERE 2, TONGHAM 1

TONGHAM went into this early-season local derby missing several first-teamers and were unable to prevent Shottermill & Haslemere notching up a second consecutive victory.

Haslemere made the perfect start as Chris Sturt latched onto a brilliant flick from strike partner Ben Traviss to score inside ten minutes.

But they failed to add to the lead during a period of intense pressure and paid the price when Tongham won a corner. Dan Bailey produced a superb delivery and the unmarked Martin White controlled and scored with a neat finish. Tongham were back in it.

Haslemere captain Chris Hooker was carried off on the half-hour after a heavy challenge in the middle of the park.

Tongham started to gain the upper hand and should have scored when a through-ball fell to Bailey, who cut inside before lofting his shot high and wide.

In the second half, Shottermill regained control of the midfield and had a great chance to double their lead when Tongham conceded a penalty for a foul by White on Ollie Ellis. However, Sturt’s spot kick was expertly saved by Max Thurgar.

Finally, with 20 minutes to go, Haslemere pulled back in front. Sturt made amends for his penalty miss by latching on to a misunderstanding between keeper Thurgar and centre-back Dan Thody to score his second goal.

Tongham pressed for the equaliser and came close when Bailey supplied another fine cross and the incoming Nathan Tull just failed to apply the final touch.

Otherwise, Haslemere showed excellent game management to run the clock down and continue their positive start to the season.