HASLEMERE 2, REIGATE PRIORY 3

HASLEMERE face the prospect of a relegation battle in the second half of the season after losing at home to fellow strugglers Reigate Priory on Saturday.

The Blues desperately need three points away to second-placed Havant II this Saturday in their last Hants/Surrey Regional 1 game before a much- needed Christmas break.

Promoted Haslemere began the season with every expectation of continuing their rise through the leagues, but it hasn’t quite worked out like that and they are just two points off the bottom after ten matches.

Despite the absence of top scorer Nic Cope, they fielded a strong team against Reigate and got the start they wanted at Woolmer Hill.

After ten minutes of Haslemere pressure, Andy Powell fired in a cross which Elliott Hall converted with a sharp deflection for the first goal.

Reigate responded well and a breakaway attack drew Barney Green into a strong stick challenge and a penalty flick. Nick Bull had no chance as the flick was coolly dispatched into the bottom corner.

But Haslemere were quickly back on the attack and regained the advantage when, after a powerful shot from Campbell Hancock, the ball fell to newcomer Hugo Chandler who slotted home.

Then came the pivotal moment in the match. Andy Powell scored into an open net after a defender had failed to trap the ball, only for the umpire to call the game back, ruling that the ball had gone off the end of the pitch – a decision that puzzled both teams.

Haslemere needed to shake off their frustration at half-time and regain their composure. However, after a tightly contested first 15 minutes of the second half, Reigate won a short corner and a powerful drag-flick hit the post-man. The umpire could only give a penalty flick and again the visitors converted; 2-2, game on.

As the final whistle loomed, Reigate had their tails up, while Haslemere lost their individual and team discipline. The widening gaps in the home midfield and defence were exploited by the visitors and eventually, after a great initial save from Bull, Reigate followed up to convert and snatch three precious points.