Moore the merrier as Portsmouth head into lockdown with back-to-back Hampshire/Surrey League wins

Fresh from a 3-0 success at Wanderers 2nds, Portsmouth defeated a Haslemere side who had started the game in third place thanks to a well-worked short corner routine in the final two minutes.

Previous games over the last few seasons involving the two clubs had always been tight affairs, and this was no different.

The first half produced little clear cut chances for either team with the midfielders and defenders coming out on top at both ends.

A series of green and yellow cards were shown to both sides in the battle to gain the upper hand.

With the weather improving for the second half, Portsmouth looked to control more of the game.

As well as attacking with more aggression, their defending short corner routine was put to the test many times and the reliable, tall figure of Chris Bollom was on fine form as number one runner.

Some heroic defending by the impressive Adam Payne allowed Freddie Rainbow to keep his second clean sheet in as many games.

Man of the match Chris Butler was a great workhorse in the midfield before Haslemere were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes left.

One of the visiting players was shown a straight red card after an off-the-ball incident with Portsmouth’s Niall Gray, who was shown a yellow card.

The numerical advantage allowed Portsmouth to control the game and gain momentum, resulting in a series of short corners.

With two minutes left, a switch left from Pete Hayward allowed Payne to fire the ball towards the back post where Moore deflected it into the net.

After four successive defeats, Portsmouth 2nds claimed their first Hampshire Division 3 victory of the season.

They travelled to Trojans - who also entered the game searching for their first win - and recorded a 2-1 success to move up to third from bottom.

From the start Portsmouth quickly put pressure on their hosts, looking strong in their defensive movement and holding firm in the middle of the park.

Owen Barnes was a danger going forward and Portsmouth’s constant pressure paid off when Terry Exton opened the scoring.

Following the half-time break Trojans piled the pressure on with Portsmouth soaking up waves of attack.

The equaliser came via a penalty flick which keeper David Potter, whilst getting his stick to the ball, was unable to keep out.

Portsmouth were back in front when Jeremy Bulled fired the ball into the D for Exton to deflect in with the lightest of touches.

Portsmouth 3rds conceded three first-half goals en route to a 4-0 drubbing by Southampton University 4ths in Hampshire Division 5.

The students took the lead following a short corner and doubled their lead when keeper Ed Smyth was beaten in a 1 v 1.

Now disheartened, Portsmouth struggled to get back into the game and conceded again before the interval.

Portsmouth improved in the second half but their passing still lacked quality, which kept them struggling to get beyond their own half.

Southampton stretched their lead still further with Portsmouth, despite some rapid counters by William Duffy and Alfie Hall and a baseline hit by Harry Hellyer whistling across the face of the goal, unable to grab a consolation.

Huan Xie and Hall were voted joint men of the match

Portsmouth 4ths included a handful of juniors for their friendly with Hampshire Division 7 rivals United Services 2nds.

Jack Hargreaves, Dylan Houghton, Matty Hayward and Sam Hargreaves all impressed during the 5-2 loss.

In the first half Portsmouth absorbed lots of pressure before man of the match Sam Hargreaves put them ahead.

US hit back quickly to lead at half-time, adding a third early in the second half.

John Arnell fired Portsmouth back into contention, but US netted twice more.