Manor Farm slipped to defeat on Saturday away to Bemerton Heath despite leading at half time, writes Jack Davies.
Farm were on a very positive away run and they started the brighter here. Jayden Nielsen forced a smart low save by Patrick Crease in the hosts goal inside the first five minutes. Evander Grubb and the returning Owen Brain also had a couple of early efforts each but neither found the target. Farm would take a deserved lead from a corner. Nielsen’s delivery was ill-judged by Crease and Ollie Woodhouse powered in the opener. Bermerton had barely threatened before the goal but equalised five minutes later with their first meaningful attack. Another corner as Danny Young got across the near post and found the net via a Farm deflection to restore parity. Bemmy came forward in drives as the momentum swung but it would be Farm who took a lead into the break. Another excellent header by Woodhouse as he flicked forward and Ben Bament showed all his attacking instinct to react and guide his header in the corner.
Farm knew they’d be up against it in the second half and made the worse possible start. Ryan Griffiths took an audacious shot at goal, and thanks to a wicked deflection, the home side pegged Farm back again. It went from bad to worse for Farm as the turnaround was complete before the hour. Brendan Holmes with good work down the flank for the hosts and Griffiths was there to finish his cut back. A wide open second half saw plenty of chances for both sides. Griffiths was denied the match ball by the feet of Locke before Nielsen’s effort was saved and eventually held by Crease. Despite Farm’s best efforts, the away side’s comeback hopes were dashed as Holmes turned provider into scorer, skimming past Locke from range.