London Edwardians 0, Aldershot & Farnham 2

ALDERSHOT & Farnham maintained their 100 per cent record with a 2-0 win over London Edwardians at Honor Oak Park last Saturday.

In doing so they extended their lead at the top of Hampshire/Surrey 2 to 12 points as second-placed Portsmouth drew 2-2 with third-placed Old Cranleighans.

London Edwardians enjoyed a good amount of territorial advantage in the first half but, except for a chance at a short corner where the injector swept into the side of the goal, they never really seriously threatened A&F goalkeeper Andrew MacDonald.

A&F themselves created some good chances and scored with one of their first. Chris Boot, coming up with the ball just inside his own half, picked out Ian Metcalfe outside the 22. A pick-and-roll from the A&F forward was followed by a pass into Scott Perry cutting in from the right to the top of the circle. Perry went past his man and found Jonny Groves at the far post who calmly rounded the Edwardians goalkeeper and smartly finished.

Stu Morhall missed an excellent chance to increase Aldershot & Farnham’s lead in the first half, as did Phil Rushmere, both being created by the effervescent Perry.

A&F needed to continue their work rate in the second half. Jamie Weston had a fine game at the centre of defence and alongside Boot changed the shape of the backline to keep the opposition guessing when the visitors had the ball.

Perry did finally double A&F’s lead by sending a short corner drag flick high into the net after Andrew Simmons’ mazy run from the left drew a foul inside the circle, while another ferocious drag flick from Perry slammed into the left upright as A&F looked to put the game out of reach.

In the dying minutes A&F, who pride themselves on their discipline, lost their way and they finished the game with just seven men, as Groves (deliberate push), Simmons (intentional foot), Morhall (hitting ball away) and Perry (dissent) were all shown yellow cards. Edwardians managed their first effort on target with the final action of the game, a short corner that was expertly saved by MacDonald.

Aldershot & Farnham: MacDonald, Hammond, Weston, R Edwards, Boot, Jennings, Perry, P Rushmere, Simmons, Metcalfe, Groves, Morhall, Bockett-Pugh.