ROMSEY Town emerged with a hard earned 1-1 draw from an evenly contested encounter with Division One leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins at The AEC Protection Ground last Saturday.

Livewire winger Charlie Rattley gave Town the lead with a thunderous strike on the stroke of half time, but the hosts were pegged back when the Division’s leading marksman, Justin Bennet, restored parity midway through the second half, writes Tony Galsworthy.

Head coach Curtis Osborne made just one enforced change to the lineup that had won its last two games, with Kieran Hancock taking over from suspended midfielder Brad Strickland. An early clash of heads at a corner resulted in a lengthy delay and Town defender Ant Croucher was only able to continue after being heavily bandaged. Bemerton constantly looked dangerous from set pieces, while Romsey were using Rattley and Jack Odam on the wings to good effect.

The Bypass Boys spurned the opportunity to take the lead in the 24th minute when Rattley cleverly beat his man and rolled the ball into the path of the unmarked Hancock who blazed the ball over the bar from 12 yards. Liam Magee then set up Rattley but his weak shot was easily saved, before the visitors’ Bennett skied his shot over the bar after good work by Perrett. In a frantic end to end battle, next it was Harry Prisk who set up Oliver Jenkins but his effort was cleared off the line.

Despite both sides creating chances, the first half looked likely to end scoreless until a brilliant team move by Town which started in defence and saw Prisk play a sublime through ball to Rattley, who hammered it into the corner to give his side a deserved half time lead.

Bemerton started the second half on the front foot with waves of attacking pressure and from a corner Sweeney’s near post header was pawed away by Valero. From the resulting corner, the visitors had a shot blocked on the line. Eventually the breakthrough came when Rayfield crossed from the right flank and the onrushing Bennet headed past Valero.

Town were now only making rare forays into opposition territory, but still carried a goal threat as Jenkins beat two men to set up a rocket of a shot from Odam that was deflected behind. Prisk the combined with Odam but his final effort was straight at the ‘keeper.

Town defended resolutely, and Croucher was the star turn, as Bemerton pressed in vain for a winner. Romsey can be well satisfied with a terrific all-round performance, which demonstrated that on their day they are the equal of the best in the Division. Romsey are at home again on December 27 (ko 3.00pm) when Folland Sports are the visitors.