Paulsgrove v Liphook – the game to watch if you want to see some goals this weekend!

Anyone wanting to see some goals this weekend should head to Paulsgrove’s Hampshire Premier League fixture with Liphook.
Danny Lane, right,  has scored 10 HPL goals in five matches for Paulsgrove this season. Picture: Neil MarshallDanny Lane, right,  has scored 10 HPL goals in five matches for Paulsgrove this season. Picture: Neil Marshall
Danny Lane, right, has scored 10 HPL goals in five matches for Paulsgrove this season. Picture: Neil Marshall

Already 64 have been scored in the 11 Senior Division games Grove and Liphook have played between them.

Both teams were in action on Wednesday - Grove, the division’s highest scorers with 24, drawing 3-3 at Locks Heath and Liphook crashing 5-1 at Overton.

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In addition, Liphook’s two visits to Marsden Road last season resulted in a staggering 18 goals - but no-one winning after 90 minutes!

A remarkable 5-5 draw in the league was followed by Liphook winning a penalty shoot-out after a 4-4 draw in the Hampshire Premier League Cup.

Paulsgrove will be hoping for better weather conditions this weekend.

Grove lost their 100 per cent HPL record at Locks. On a truly filthy night, in driving rain and swirling wind, they let slip a 2-0 lead to trail 3-2 before recovering to draw 3-3.

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‘The conditions were a bit of a leveller,’ said Grove boss Wayne Grant.

Grove were unhappy with referee Patrick McGonical for a series of decisions, including the failure to award a late penalty for a foul on the pacy Zak Willett.

They were also annoyed at having to stand outside in the rain at half-time while Locks players took refuge in their clubhouse.

Grove were given the groundsman’s shed to change in both before and after the game, but found it locked during the interval.

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‘That got my back up,’ said Grant. ‘I know it’s not easy not being allowed to use the changing rooms, but I thought it was a bit naughty.’

That could have contributed to Grove’s slow start to the second half, conceding two goals in as many minutes after Locks had reduced the arrears before half-time.

‘Their energy levels went up after getting a goal back,’ said Grant.

‘In the end we did well to get ourselves back in it.

‘We had players out but we should have had enough to beat them - but at least we’re still unbeaten.’

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Skipper Aaron Fennemore, centre half Jay Eames and Gary Jeffrey were all unavailable in midweek, as was Alex Miroy as his son Josh remains in hospital after collapsing playing Sunday football recently.

Another centre half, Michael Essai, could be struggling for Liphook’s visit after going off with a knock at Locks.

Up front, Grove have few worries as both Danny Lane and Zak Willett netted on Wednesday - the pair now have 15 league goals between them already.

Willett has been recruited from Sunday League football and his pace will cause problems for most teams at HPL level.

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