Premier Division - Alresford Town 0 Shaftesbury 1 (05/02/22)
Alresford now have two points from their last ten league matches writes Paul Harris. They had also conceded six in their last two home games, but, with the benefit of four new signings in the last 24 hours, worked their socks off here to frustrate opponents who, with games in hand, must be a fair bet for a top 5 place; here, despite having the upper hand for most of the game, could only win with a single 74th minute goal. Too many draws have prevented them challenging at the very top this season.
Early on the visitors got some joy with ball out to wingers Delaney and Aiden Shepherd. The former, on the left, tried a curler but home keeper Bowman saved pretty easily. On the other side the latter then got through but his cross-shot was just wide. The Rockies' two central forwards looked strong too, and Bowman had to be out well to block Beard, who then got free on the right to put a cross-shot wide. Aiden Shepherd was then denied by Bowman as he got in a header at the near post.
The visitors then got frustrated with refereeing decisions and lost some momentum, and the home side came into the game a bit. Good skill by Sutcha Shepherd on the right led to a good cross, but nobody was following up. As the ball was returned in, Mahon was completely unmarked, but headed over. At the other end, a header by Davidson from a corner produced a good save. The Magpies' Channell then showed good skill, and a curling shot, just wide. But the visitors put on the pressure as we approached the break, and Aiden Shepherd came close twice to breaking the deadlock, the second one was actually a good save by Bowman. HT 0-0
The visitors were sent out early, and continued where they left off, an early free-kick caused all sorts of problems for the hosts, but was eventually cleared, and a Hill shot was wide. Home sub Phillips produced a useful outlet up front, and his clever ball nearly set up Channell, but keeper Brooks came out well to deny him. At the other end, Bowman also had to come out well to deny Beard, who was clean through on a one-on-one. A Rockies corner then saw a Bowles header blocked on the line, with prolonged shouts for handball.
A defensive slip saw Delaney through, but he shot over as Bowman rushed out. Bowman then superbly tipped a Peel effort over the bar. But the long-overdue opening goal came on 74 minutes, as a corner on the right wasn't cleared and eventually captain BOWLES, who formed a solid defensive partnership with Davidson, headed over two defenders into the net. Peel nearly extended the lead, but his looping header was saved, and his instant volley was then superbly tipped over by Bowman, the clear man-of-the-match. He then tipped over a curler by Delaney, as Shaftesbury looked comfortable. But their plan was nearly destroyed on 90 minutes as Parker-Trott ran clear, but Brooks produced a good save to deny him. FT 0-1
A good effort by the home side to keep the game close and nearly pinch a point at the end, but the visitors ground out the result in the end. They looked a good side but do need to tone down their criticism of the officials on this showing.
