HASLEMERE 1, REIGATE PRIORY 2

HASLEMERE, after last week’s solid win over Sunbury, lost a hard-fought game at home to Reigate Priory on Saturday and drop to fifth in the high-grade Hants/Surrey Regional 1.

Reigate pressed the Blues hard in the first 15 minutes and created chances by winning the ball high up the pitch and double and triple teaming key players.

Haslemere, though, held strong and managed to grow into the game through solid defensive play.

The home team began to make openings of their own, but the goalless stalemate continued until half-time.

Haslemere were apparently instructed to focus on execution and calmness in the second half. But the Blues came out slightly too calm and their back line, partly caught out by the height of a cross, failed to react as James Chesterton tucked the ball away to put Priory in front.

This woke Haslemere up and with quicker passing and harder running, they won a short corner. The impressive Reigate keeper pulled of a good save, but Charlie Milsom managed to tuck away the rebound to breathe new life into the game.

Haslemere continued to push hard in search of a winner, but came unstuck as Reigate put together a slick move and Jamie Oyebode grabbed the winning goal.

Haslemere will hopefully have learned a lot from this fixture and will hopefully take the lessons on board this Saturday when they meet Havant II away.

Haslemere Masters failed to give Phil Oxley a victory in his last game as captain and lost 3-1 to Trojans in the Wessex Masters League 1. Adam Eaton takes over the leader’s baton.

Masters 2nd XI managed to beat Salisbury 3-2 (Wessex Masters League 2). Haslemere’s three goals – scored by Ali Wheeler, Richard North and Mark Blakemore – all came in the first 15 minutes. Salisbury pulled two back before half-time, but Haslemere closed ranks and held onto their slender advantage.

Haslemere Veterans maintained fourth place in the Wessex Supervets Alliance with an emphatic 4-0 win against Windsor. Goals from Paul Saunders and Jonathan Roy gave Haslemere a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Peter Lindars was called on to make a couple of decent saves in the second half. Haslemere then started to play some smart hockey, allowing Peter Lawrence to join the attack and score twice in quick succession to seal a good win for the Vets.