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Brewers serve up a double to end Liphook's cup challenge - Henry Ascoli (7th Dec 2013 - 20:35:35) Hampshire Intermediate Cup Third Round Liphook United 0-2 Alton Town Reserves AN assertive away display from the Brewers brought an abrupt end to Liphook’s cup challenge, as confidence and composure in front of goal proved pivotal, writes Henry Ascoli. United failed to convert a string of clear-cut chances in this open and energetic cup clash, as Alton hassled and harried from the first to the final whistle to secure an impressive away victory. The visitors edged the early exchanges, commanding play in the centre of the field and seeking to break forward down the channels at every opportunity. The Brewers broke the deadlock 20 minutes into the match, Henry Fox finding a pocket of space 25 yards out and rifling a powerful strike - with the aid of a slight deflection - beyond the diving keeper Chris Martin and into the top right corner. Stunned by conceding but determined to respond, United burst forward on the attack, Kevin Adair clattering the crossbar with a cross-come-shot from the edge of the box. Then, a close-range strike from Steve Harding forced keeper Danny Leeds into a finger-tip save to turn the ball wide. Yet the hosts were dealt a crushing blow eight minutes before the break, when a rambling run down the right led to a pin-point cross for Luke Perkins, whose powerful header flew past Martin and into the back of the net. United spurned three fine opportunities to reduce the deficit before the break, as a rasping shot from Ryan Angear grazed the left post and Adam Pierson missed the target from point-blank range twice in two minutes. Liphook never let their heads drop and forced their way forward in the second half, desperate to break down the resolute and well-organised Brewers back line. A patient passing move found Harry Tremlett free on the edge of the box, and he pulled the ball back for Richard Covey, who fired high over the bar. Next, a route one ball from Martin reached Angear 25 yards out, but his shot on the turn failed to find the target. United pressed and probed during the closing stages, and Adair missed a golden chance to pull one back, racing on to a precise pass only to fire over the bar from 12 yards. Even an injection of energy from late substitutes Mark Straffon and Harry Munt could not help the hosts find the back of the net, with the latter denied twice from close range in the dying minutes as the visitors held on to claim victory. Liphook United assistant manager Pete Oliver commented: “We dominated play during the first half, but two mistakes cost us dear and we ended up chasing the game after the break.” United will aim to hunt down Headley United at the top of the Hampshire Premier League and return to form by beating Overton United next Saturday (December 14).

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