HASLEMERE 3

WEYMOUTH 5

WEYMOUTH survived another scare away at Haslemere to remain at the top of Hampshire Division One.

The Seasiders recovered from 3-1 down against the newly-promoted Surrey side, scoring four goals in the last 40 minutes.

Weymouth were first on the scoresheet following a period of early pressure.

The home side were camped in their own half and, as the visitors’ defensive line stepped up, centre-back Giles Broadhead intercepted an aerial pass out of defence and then picked out forward Andrew Robinson in the circle. Robinson showed composure to round the advancing goalkeeper and fire home.

The Seasiders then let their feet off the gas defensively and were on the receiving end of a number of counter-attacks.

Weymouth keeper Jack McDonald, standing in for first-choice David Civil, had a 10-minute spell to forget as two consecutive shots on target found the gap between his legs.

Haslemere continued to build a lead, scoring from a penalty corner with a drag flick.

Weymouth then received a slice of fortune themselves. Right-back Simon Harvey, under pressure in defence, fired the ball up the pitch.

A slight deflection from Matthew Underhill’s outstretched stick guided the ball to Robin- son.

He beat his marker and entered the circle but before he could get a shot away was brought down by the defender and a penalty flick was awarded.

Skipper Steven Membury stepped up and dispatched the flick into the goal.

At the break, Weymouth recognised that the scoreline was not a reflection of their first-half performance and Membury reinforced confidence in his side and assured them that the goals would come.

True to form, the visitors were fastest out of the blocks at the restart.

The first goal of the second half again came from a long ball out of defence from Harvey who picked out Robinson in the attacking quarter.

This time, Robinson drew defenders and passed across the face of goal. Underhill noticed May in space and allowed the ball to pass him for May to then flick it past the keeper to level the score.

Weymouth’s early lead was then restored, Robinson picking up his second of the game, midfielder Daniel Bowles with the assist.

Bowles found the run of Robinson into the circle and the Lancastrian hit a reverse strike over the advancing keeper.

Haslemere had a good opportunity to recover when Weymouth were temporarily reduced to nine men.

Teddy Ruxpin was sin-binned for five minutes for a rash challenge and full-back Michael Westlake sat out for two minutes for a similar offence.

The Seasiders’ game management during this period, however, was excellent.

Dave Beaudro notably put in a brave tackle at the expense of his chin, which was split by the attacker’s stick, and the veteran centre-back was forced to leave the field for treatment.

Westlake shored up the central defence in Beaudro’s absence without further incident.

Once back to full strength, Weymouth scored the final goal of the game and sealed a fourth successive win.

The goal came from a well-planned penalty corner routine. Harvey’s injected pass to May was bounced back allowing the former to turn it in at the left post with ease.

Today, Weymouth host struggling Southampton at Redlands and hope to maintain their unbeaten streak.

Man of the Match: Robinson