VERWOOD 1, ALRESFORD TOWN 5

ALRESFORD entered the top five of the Premier Division after recording their fifth win in six games and third on the trot in the Sydenhams Premier League.

Bottom side Verwood were not the strongest opponents Alresford have faced this season, but the Dorset outfit defended valiantly in the first half and the Magpies had only a Tom Sands goal to take into the interval.

Alresford drew on their strong bench in the second half and two substitutes shared three out of four further goals as Verwood wilted under pressure.

First, Chris Mason controlled a long ball skilfully and finished clinically to double the lead.

Replacement Geoff Dunn got the third goal before Fletcher Maxwell pulled one back for Verwood, rather against the run of play.

Steve Hall, another substitute, made it 4-1 and Dunn converted a penalty for his second goal as Alresford finished with a flourish.

ALRESFORD 0, SHOLING 1. Alresford's excellent run was ended by Sholing on Wednesday. A hard-fought game between two high-riding sides was decided in the 75th minute when Lee Wort scored the only goal of the night.Alresford are home to Whitchurch this Saturday. On Tuesday, they visit Bashley.

Alresford: Kempson, McCartney, Doswell, Flooks, Nellor, Blaxall, Davies, Mason, Munro, Sands, Harding. Subs: Dunn, Everett, Hall.