Stoneham consign Fareham to artificial thrashing
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM TOWN succumbed to their third league defeat of this season as they travelled the short journey to play AFC Stoneham on Tuesday evening (November 26); eventually falling by a three-nil margin versus their “in-form” opponents after a close-fought encounter watched by a large crowd despite the heavy rain at the Hampshire FA Football Complex.
Both teams made a frenetic start on the artificial surface with Stoneham creating an opening chance on seven minutes; Duarte Martins dragging an angled shot wide of the post. But the early momentum was halted moments later as Keiron Clark picked up an injury and was ultimately substituted with Ash Tattersall; forcing slight tactical tweaks for the visitors.
Stan Bridgman lashed a fierce attempt over the crossbar on twenty minutes for Fareham and Jamie Truckel could only nod straight at Stoneham keeper Ross Casey seconds later in a brief spell of away pressure. The hosts then began to reassert control with Jamie Johnston cutting inside and flashed a shot across goal from an angle on the half hour mark.
Stoneham were the controlling side and they took a lead after 33 minutes through Martins, who latched onto a fine ball and converted a lovely dinked finish over Declan McCarthy inside the corner for 1-0. This lead was doubled just before half time as the ball was given away to Martins and this striker didn’t take a second thought before lashing in a second.
The Creeksiders tried to rely immediately in the second period and Alfie Bridgman forced a good diving save by Casey down low on 48 minutes, whilst Ashley Tattersall nodded over from the resulting corner. Substitutions soon followed for the away side as they attempted a route back into the game, but they were stopped by a well-organised defensive unit.
Downpours further added to their struggles despite Bridgman being brilliantly stopped by Casey on 61 minutes after he ran through the defence; Stoneham controlling the ball and seeming calmer in possession. They saw Jim Orvis just fire harmlessly wide and Oliver Jenkins go close in quick succession, before a shot by Matt Pates clipped the far right post.
A killer moment arrived with 9 minutes left as Stoneham won a corner and played a pass to the back post to find centre defender Ben Clarke, who simply powered a lovey header into the left corner for three-nil. This concluded any ‘realistic’ hopes of a result for Fareham although they never did give up and saw Bridgeman miss a great opening in added time.
This loss means that Fareham sit third in the Wessex Premier and trail leaders Portchester by 10 points, although they did have games in hand on their rivals. Their next match will see them host Andover New Street on Saturday afternoon (November 30), before a “double header” against Downton in the FA Vase and League over two successive weekends.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN MEDIA: Alfie Bridgman attempts to create big opening for away side down the right.
