HASLEMERE II 5, ISLE OF WIGHT 4

UNBEATEN Haslemere II were pushed hard by Isle of Wight in another testing top-of-the-table clash in Hampshire 2.

The spirited Islanders were repelled – just – and Haslemere, five points clear, ensured they would go into the half-season break top of the table.

But Haslemere’s undefeated record seemed under serious threat as Isle of Wight scored twice from short corners in the first ten minutes.

The visitors were winning all the 50-50 tackles, pressing high up the pitch and forcing Haslemere into mistakes.

Captain Charlie Millsom demanded more of his men and they reacted.

Knowing the next goal would be massive, Haslemere forced their opponents into an error and Millsom set the ball up for Matt Hemming to blast into the bottom corner.

Ollie Head, playing his final game for the club, and Jason Moore then created space for newcomer James Evans who squared the ball for Will Hams to crack home the equaliser.

As half-time approached, Millsom beat two players and scored on his reverse to put his side in front.

Haslemere started the second half with a series of short corners. Tom Gee injected to Moore whose clever disguised pass enabled Alastair Gloak to fire home the fourth. And when Gloak got his second, Haslemere looked home and dry at 5-2.

But there was still a long way to go and Haslemere switched off, allowing the Islanders to come back at them.

Moore served time in the sin-bin, the Isle promptly scored from a short corner and, with Haslemere back to full strength, only a diving goal-line clearance by Gee kept his side’s two-goal lead intact.

With eight minutes to go, Isle of White got it back to 4-5, but Haslemere regained their shape and composure and saw out the game.

At the final whistle, a somewhat relieved Haslemere applauded their opponents after one of the best games seen at Woolmer Hill this season.