Romsey Town 0 Fleet Spurs 3

Once again it was a case for Romsey’s first team of playing well but not picking up the result as they hosted Fleet Spurs at the weekend.

Romsey started off brightly dominating possession but without really creating any clear cut chances in the opening stages of the game. The first real effort of note was when Ollie Adams struck long range effort which stung the visitors’ keepers’ palms. Within minutes Adams hit another long range effort which this time rattled the bar from fully 25 yards.

Although Town were on top and playing well, Fleet's first attack of the game saw them take an undeserved lead as they broke the deadlock with a tidy finish from inside the penalty area. This setback was tough on Town who suffered again when with just a minute left of the opening period the visitors doubled their lead when they scored from a corner punishing some poor set piece defending.

The second half started off in the same manner as the first, with Romsey again dominating the ball but without seriously testing the Fleet Spurs keeper. There was no doubt that Towns’ dominance deserved far greater reward as they tried in vain to pull a goal back but against the run of play and with Fleet’s only serious attack on the home side’s goal, the away team scored a third to finish off Romsey’s persistence.

Afterwards, Town’s head coach James Phillips said: “Once again we’ve played well and dominated for large parts of the game, but ultimately if we don’t put the ball in the net when we’re on top, we’ll be punished. It’s a lesson we must learn quickly.

“It’s hugely frustrating at the moment when the opposition praise how well we’ve played and admit we deserved better from the game but walk off into the distance with the points. I know we’re almost there and that the results will come but tonight I’ll not be sleeping well.”

It was a rather different story for Romsey Town’s Development side as they thrashed East Cowes Vics 7-1 on the IOW. A hatrick from Josh Graham and a goal each for Skipper Rob Blandford, Dale Hanson, Indrit Elizi and Ryan Merrick saw Town secure a comprehensive victory.

Development boss Jean Snelgrove said “It was a terrific performance from the lads today. They showed real quality throughout but what really impressed me was how they remained fully focused and committed long after the game was won. It’s always good to put in a performance like that but to do it away from home is really pleasing.”

Romsey Town First team travel to Amsbury Town on Saturday with a 3.00pm KO whilst the Development side host Laverstock and Ford at the Bypass Ground, also with a 3.00pm KO.