Romsey Town (2) 4 v Clanfield (3) 3

Archie Greenough emerged as Romsey Town’s hero when he bagged all four goals as the Bypass Boys triumphed by the odd goal in seven over Clanfield in a see-saw encounter at The AEC Protection Ground last Saturday. Despite twice going behind, Town demonstrated skill and determination to snatch what had initially looked like an unlikely victory, writes Tony Galsworthy.

Town boss Andy made just one crucial change to his side, which had lost to an added time goal just four days previously, bringing in Greenough to lead the line. Romsey made a disastrous start to the game conceding two goals in the first seven minutes. Both goals resulted from right-wing crosses after Town gave away possession to concede a goal from the visitors’ first attack, and then despite Sam White making a fine save he was powerless to prevent the rebound being netted for the second goal. 

Despite this setback, Romsey came roaring back into the game and Clanfield’s ‘keeper Pullin had to make a diving save to deny Josh Gibson, before Ross Lamb’s effort hit the crossbar and then Greenough controlled a long ball out of defence and turned his marker to fire an arrowed shot beyond a static Pullin in the 34th minute.

Just four minutes later Lamb set free Harry Prisk on a jinking run into the penalty which was only halted when he was brought down by Swatton. The referee pointed straight to the spot and despite Pullin guessing the right side Greenough despatched the penalty kick beyond him into the corner of the net to put Romsey on level terms.

With half-time in sight, Town undid their good work when they conceded another avoidable goal. A free kick from within the visitors’ half was head down tamely into Fred Penfold’s path and he stroked the ball past White to restore his side’s advantage at the interval.

Undaunted Romsey were back in the game within ten minutes of the restart as Greenough completed a hat-trick. Dunn’s corner was only partially cleared to Alex Wilson whose cross was punched by Pullin but a sweet half volley off the underside of the bar from fifteen yards restored parity. Midway through the half, Romsey’s neat passing and dominance of possession paid off when an exquisite cross from deep by Geoff Dunn was met by Greenough’s soaring glanced header into the corner of the net to complete the comeback.

Town suffered a mild scare when in a rare Clanfield attack a header from a speculative cross rebounded off the bar to White’s relief, but it was Romsey who looked more likely to add to their tally. Robbie Stapleton’s long-range shot required another fine save from Pullin before in added time Charlie Hewson’s curled effort was tipped over the bar by Clanfield’s overworked custodian. The victory lifts Romsey to 13th with six points from five matches.

On Tuesday evening Romsey bowed out of the League Cup when they lost by 2-3 at home to Verwood Town. Despite leading by 2-1 at half time, with goals from Charlie Hewson and an Archie Greenough penalty, Town were unable to survive a late rally by their visitors and conceded the decisive goal in added time.

Cove FC are the visitors to The AEC Protection Ground in a Division One encounter tomorrow (ko 3.00pm)