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Liphook battle back in physical encounter to secure share of the spoils - Henry Ascoli (30th Nov 2013 - 20:47:46) Hampshire Premier League match report Liphook United 3-3 Hedge End Rangers LIPHOOK United showed fighting spirit to battle back and secure a share of the spoils from a gripping physical encounter, writes Henry Ascoli. This rugged clash featured incidents aplenty on and off the pitch, and the momentum of the match swung like a pendulum between the two sides. United controlled the early exchanges, pressing forward immediately to create several clear-cut opportunities inside the first five minutes. Firstly, an incisive cross from Ryan Angear found Steve Harding free inside the box, but the striker fired straight at keeper Oliver Hurst. Moments later, a curling free kick from Dan Harding was nodded wide by Rick Williams lurking at the back post. Hedge End soon demonstrated their threat on the break, cutting the home defence to shreds with a piercing attack down the left channel, and Gavin Cross cut inside, then rattled the left post with a powerful effort, before Parris Virgin blasted the follow-up attempt over the bar. The hosts failed to heed this early warning, and poor communication at the back allowed Cross to nip in, round the onrushing keeper Chris Martin and tuck the ball home with 10 minutes played. Hedge End doubled their advantage seven minutes later when, with the home defence all at sea, Virgin bundled the ball over the goal line to a chorus of protestations over a handball in the build-up. United struggled to settle into their rhythm, and looked unlikely to reduce the deficit before the break, until a missed challenge allowed Angear to pull the ball back for Steve Harding, who eventually bundled the ball over the line from five yards. Liphook surged forward once more straight from the re-start, and a clumsy handball inside the box led the referee to point straight to the penalty spot; Steve Harding coolly converted to level on the stroke of half-time. United maintained their momentum after the break, and a crunching challenge 25 yards out provided the perfect chance for Dan Harding to fire a free kick into the box. His curling effort was met by Jonny Pryce, who beat his marker and rose high to confidently head the ball home. The hosts enjoyed a spell of pressure and possession, pinning the visitors back into their own box, and Adrian Moger came within inches of making the points safe, unleashing a fierce strike which whistled agonisingly wide of the right post. However, against the run of play, Hedge End hit back with half an hour remaining, when a lunging challenge from Pryce prompted a penalty, and Cross sent Martin the wrong way to put the visitors back in contention. A frenzied final quarter ensued, with both sides desperate to grab a late goal. While Liphook enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, they lacked composure in the final third and the visitors came closest to snatching a late winner when Steven Bauck broke free on the right and fired across the face of goal. A point apiece reflected the ebb and flow of an action-packed match, yet both sides will rue missed opportunities at key times. Liphook assistant manager Pete Oliver said: “It was very hard to get into any kind of rhythm when the game was stopped so often. “When we scored our third, it looked like there was only going to be one winner, but the penalty proved a turning point. “Having said that, the three goals we conceded were disappointing and something we must address to keep the pace with the top teams in this league.”

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