Alresford Town 1, Paulsgrove 1

ALRESFORD did well to take a point away from third-placed Paulsgrove in a stern encounter at Arlebury Park on Saturday.

This was not a game for the squeamish. It was tough physical play throughout, with both sides putting in some tough challenges.

The match began in lively style, with end-to-end action for the sizeable crowd that had gathered on the clubhouse balcony.

The opening chance for Town came when Marcus Coles and Mark O'Rourke combined, and the latter's shot whizzed past the far post.

The crowd were brought to full voice when Grant Young performed a small piece of magic with the ball as he dribbed it into the corner of the pitch, then hit a fine high cross into the penalty area. Coming in at pace, Coles volleyed the ball into the roof of the net to give Alresford the lead.

This brought a series of raids by the Town strike-force, and on one of those, Brett Young broke through the offside trap only to see his neat chip sail just over the bar.

With five minutes to the break, Paulsgrove got back into the game with a close-range chip for the equaliser.

The second half was scrappy. Both keepers made some good saves, with neither strike force seemingly able to finish off their moves with a shot.

For the Town, it was a good all round solid team performance, but it wasn't a pretty game because of the dominance of both defences.

Danny Couchman came close with a lob over the bar, while Mark Buttress in the Town goal had to make some near-post saves.