Hampshire League.

Fair Oak 1, Michelmersh & Tims. 2.

Times are busy lately in the Hampshire League with sides working furiously in a bid to resolve their fixtures backlog. On Monday night, Michelmersh won a close game full of chances 2-1 away to lowly Fair Oak.

After some good recent wins the hosts started strongly and should have taken the lead when an unmarked striker blazed wide when well-placed.

Michelmersh began to create some good moves and two quick goals put them in control. Adam Needs headed home from close range on 16 minutes and four minutes later striker Alex Hoyle was put clear to score past the advancing keeper.

The second half saw play swing from end to end. Michelmersh had chances to put the game beyond reach as Shane Lewis and Ian Clarke both went close.

Fair Oak refused to give in and went close several times including a well struck shot that rattled the cross-bar. After forcing a fine save from stand-in keeper Paul McMullen, Fair Oak pulled one back on 80 minutes with a low strike after the Mersh defence failed to clear.

Fair Oak pressed hard for an equaliser but, despite an anxious finale, Michelmersh defended well to hold on for the three points.

Durley 1, Michelmersh & Tims. 1.

Last Saturday afternoon Michelmersh fought out another close and scrappy affair at midtable Durley.

It was the hosts who made the brighter start as they created some good early chances. Michelmersh had stand-in keeper Andrew Costello to thank for saving well from a one-on-one situation.

Once Michelmersh settled they came more into the play and they went ahead when a well-placed free-kick found Ian Clarke who fired home (off the cross-bar) from six yards.

Early in the second half Michelmersh had chances to extend their advantage but were guilty of missing the target, most notably when Shane Lewis blazed over when well-placed.

Durley refused to give in and searched hard for an equaliser and, after going close several times - including hitting the post - they grabbed an 87th minute equaliser when a free kick was headed home.

Sporting BTC 1, Michelmersh & Tims. 0.

After an impressive performance against title favourites Mottisfont the previous Saturday, Michelmersh were well below par for the midweek fixture (March 28) away to high-flying Sporting BTC in Stoneham.

Sporting BTC dealt better with the difficult conditions than Mersh and with their aerial superiority dominated play from the start.

However Michelmersh defended well as they restricted Sporting BTC to long range efforts and set pieces and rarely threatened the M&T goal in the first half.

As the game wore on Michelmersh did improve as they managed a handful of breakaways using the pace of Alex Hoyle.

The second half followed a similar pattern with the ball being played aerial by both sides for long periods of the game. Michelmersh their only real chance of the game from Mike Hayward with his shot cutting in from the right rebounding of the foot of the post.

The deadlock was finally broken midway through the second half when a corner was headed home and this proved enough to earn victory for the hosts.