Kingsclere hosted Netley Central Sports at the Winklebury Football Complex in Basingstoke as the recent poor weather rendered the Fieldgate Centre unusable.

The 3G surface provided a great setting for the first meeting between the two sides this season on a fresh winters morning. The sun was shining and both teams looked for a lively start. It was clear from the beginning that both sides wanted to get the ball down on the deck and play football with Kingsclere starting the better side. Manager Lee Hamilton made a couple of changes to the previous week most notably the shift in formation to 3-5-2. Chris Miller started in his full debut and Steve Hanney returned to the back line following his absence the previous game.

The first chance of the game came within 5 minutes as a delightful chipped pass from Seth Fowler set L.Hamilton through only for him to be denied by the Netley keeper when well placed. From there, Kingsclere kept the ball really well and liked to build from the back with every opportunity. Netley were working hard and patience was the key. Following a well worked move, Kingsclere got a corner kick taken by Josh Stockwell who found James O'Doherty who held the ball up well, laid it back to J.Stockwell who found S.Fowler on the edge of the box. Fowler worked it across to Sam Hamilton who then set the ball to C.Miller who hit it first time across the keeper from 16 yards and it flew in to the top corner to put Clere 1-0 up inside ten minutes.

Clere then had a couple of half chances to go 2 up when S.Hamilton and S.Fowler both skimming the woodwork with chips from distance. Then with 15-20 minutes on the clock, Clere got the second goal as S.Hanney clipped a ball to L.Hamilton, this time taking it round the keeper and slotting in to the empty net to give Clere that breathing space. Further chances came when another corner caused a goal mouth scramble with both C.Miller and J.O'Doherty having shots blocked on the line. Then S.Fowler just missed at the far post from a shot on the angle. It was almost 3 when the ball broke down the right, L.Hamilton cut inside but was unable to find Dean Stockwell and the ball hit the post and fell away to safety.

Clere's last opportunity of the half came when a cross from deep found Jack Hibberd but he headed the ball well over from 8 yards when he should have done better.

Netley had the last action of the first half with a deflected strike from range earning them a corner which came to nothing as Clere saw out the rest of the half with little worry.

HT 2-0

Kingsclere started the second half where they left off, knocking the ball around with confidence and trying to find an opening to create a scoring opportunity. 3 minutes in to the second half they got that opportunity when Ben Beasley in the Clere goal clipped a ball to L.Hamilton who flicked on to the impressive S.Fowler. Fowler then beat his man and whipped in a delightful cross for D.Stockwell to volley home. Within ten minutes of the second half starting Clere found the fourth goal and finished the tie when a Seb Challen clearance was chased after by L.Hamilton who slotted past the onrushing keeper to make the score 4-0.

3 substitutions followed bringing on Will Fowler for D.Stockwell, Jordan Forbes for S.Hamilton and Mike Abbott for Jack Hibberd. All 3 subs coming on and making a good impact as Clere continued to dominate. There were spells of pressure from Netley from B.Beasley was relatively untested until late on.

Clere had further chances to increase their lead as L.Hamilton blazed over when W.Fowler rounded the keeper, W.Fowler then forced a couple of good saves as did L.Hamilton, J.Stockwell and S.Fowler. The impressive Netley keeper keeping the score down. In last ten minutes with the game started to peeter out and Netley looked lively. A corner flicked on at the near post caused a great acrobatic save from Beasley and a deflected strike was also well saved. Then in injury time a cross field ball found the winger who cut inside and scored with a tame shot to give Netley a bit of pride.

Clere's response was emphatic as a long ball down the wing found J.Forbes, he then found W.Fowler and his good play set up J.Stockwell to rifle home and make it 5 for the Clere. That was the last action of the game as Clere secured a very good 3 points against a hard working and spirited Netley side.

Kingsclere Football Club

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