Same old story for Paulsgrove boss as missed chances prove crucial in Hampshire Premier League home defeat

John Cripps fires Paulsgrove ahead from the penalty spot against Colden Common. Picture: Keith Woodland.

Grove would have moved to within three points of Hampshire Premier League leaders Infinity - albeit having played four more games - if they had inflicted a first league loss on Common since September.

But despite taking the lead through a John Cripps penalty, Grove slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Marsden Road in the only HPL top flight game to survive the latest bout of wet weather.

‘It was a bad performance from us,’ said Grant. ‘We had so many chances but couldn’t put the game to bed.

Paulsgrove keeper Luke Shields makes a great save. Picture: Keith Woodland

‘We just can’t put the ball in the back of the net. We’ve lacked an out-and-out goalscorer all season.’

The stats back that up. While four Infinity players have bagged 17 or more goals in 2019/20, Grove’s top scorer is eight-goal Moulay Ousman.

Colden Common, meanwhile, can boast 32-goal Sam Adams and 19-goal David Paskins.

Adams didn’t play at the weekend, though, as Common hit back from falling behind to win through a Tom Richards spot-kick leveller and two second half strikes from sub Brett Stanley.

Aaron Fennemore fires in a shot for Paulsgrove against Colden Common. Picture: Keith Woodland

The success continued Common’s fine record of having not lost in any competition on a Saturday since August 10.

They will jump into the top six if they avoid defeat for a 13th successive league and cup game at Liss on Tuesday night.

Grant is looking forward to welcoming Alex Miroy back into his squad soon.

The former Moneyfields, Horndean and Portchester striker netted four early-season goals for Grove before a long suspension sidelined him.

Paulsgrove's Craig Ralph commits a foul during the home loss to Colden Common. Picture: Keith Woodland

Grant also signed the previously prolific Danny Lane before Christmas, but he has yet to feature since his Marsden Road return due to work commitments.

Grove are back in action on Wednesday at Baffins Milton Rovers in the quarter finals of the Portsmouth Senior Cup.

Though drawn at home, Grove had to switch the tie - which has to be played midweek - due to a lack of floodlights.

John Cripps is brought down by the Colden Common keeper for a Paulsgrove penalty. Picture: Keith Woodland

Hayling United stage a reunion with last season’s nemesis Mark Barker on Tuesday night.

The Humbugs go in search of a fourth straight HPL win against a Bush Hill side who will reclaim second spot with victory.

If the game goes ahead, it will be Bush’s first league outing since November 30.

Last season Hayling played Bush three times, losing all three and conceding 20 goals. Of those, Barker scored FOURTEEN of them.

He belted seven in a 9-0 HPL Cup romp and added four more in a 6-1 league win on the Island. In the return league game, Barker struck a hat-trick in Bush’s 5-2 success.

Bush have already drubbed Hayling 4-0 this season, but Barker - probably to the Humbugs’ great relief - wasn’t playing.

Paulsgrove's Moulay Ousman, left, in action against Colden Common. Picture: Keith Woodland

Those 14 goals against United formed part of Barker’s 62-goal haul in only 32 appearances last term for the champions.

This season he has 23 goals from 16 outings, including three hat-tricks in his last six games - v Priory in Southampton Senior Cup, v Stockbridge in the league and v Liss in the HPL Cup quarter finals.