ALRESFORD TN 1, HAMWORTHY 2

LUCK tends to go against a side struggling at the foot of the table. It was certainly the case with Alresford last Saturday.

Hamworthy’s winner came in the eighth minute of added time and there were sharply contrasting fortunes for the two goalkeepers.

Jason Collins, returning to his former club, made a string of good saves for Hamworthy. Magpies stopper Mike Weatherall had less to do, but his dismissal for handball outside the box led to the last-gasp winner.

Possession was fairly even throughout, but the home defence was in good form, with Ben Dexter a commanding presence in the air.

Alresford carved out more clear-cut chances. Sam Carter had an early shot blocked after a good run down the left by Ben Stanbrook. Carter again came close, directing an excellent free-kick towards the top corner, only for Collins to pull off an acrobatic save.

Collins then dived to foil John Howard in a one-on-one, while at the other end Ben Satterley came closest for the Hammers, shooting wide when well placed.

Despite the loss of Harry Draycott to a recurrence of his knee trouble, Alresford continued in positive vein after the break and Hamworthy needed a headed clearance off the line to maintain parity.

But on 74 minutes came the crucial moment that changed the game. An Alresford attack was halted by an accidental interception by the referee that presented the visitors with a run on goal. The Magpies managed to repel the first attacking wave, but never regained possession and held their heads in disbelief as Matt Kemble, with Hamworthy’s first serious effort on target, saw his shot take a big deflection and loop over Weatherall into the net.

Alresford threw caution to the wind as they searched for an equaliser, leaving gaps at the back which the Hammers tried to exploit.

There were chances at both ends. Jamie Bentley cleared his lines after Weatherall had parried a Paddy Hester shot, while Collins could only watch as Carter’s shot was deflected wide.

The Magpies thought they had saved the game when they equalised in the third minute of added time. With Collins now nursing an injury, star man Carter produced another gem of a free-kick that curled in at the near post.

But Alresford still managed to lose the game. A long punt downfield led to a mix-up between Bentley and Weatherall and the keeper was forced to handle the centre-back’s header to avert an open goal. He was duly sent off, and although he had a capable deputy in Howard, Alresford’s second keeper could not keep out Kane Daysh’s curling free-kick.

So Alresford remain bottom of the table. They didn’t play badly in this match, but need just a little bit of luck to start putting points on the board.