Bemerton HH 2 Wimborne Town 2

Bemerton HH 2 Wimborne Town 2

Sydenhams Wessex League – Premier Division

Bemerton team: Kent Kauppenin, Lucas, Eves, Metcalfe, Roberts, Cox, Mankin, O’Keefe (Hughes), Eastham (Kane Kauppenin), Slade, A. Jones.

Scorers: Slade, Mankin.

Att: 115.

A CONTROVERSIAL late penalty denied Bemerton Heath Harlequins a superb win over Wimborne Town at Western Way on Saturday.

The ‘Quins opened brilliantly in a determined performance and Jack Slade headed them in front after only nine minutes.

Graham Mankin rose to head in their second from a Slade cross after 26 minutes, and the visitors were all at sea as Bemerton attacked until the interval, with Mankin firing just over.

Wimborne came out strongly for the second half, bombarding the home defence. Nathan Walker pulled a goal back on 50 minutes, stabbing in after his brother Michael’s header rebounded off the crossbar.

Nick Hutchings saved from Mankin and Matt Cox, and Heath were made to rue those misses when they were harshly adjudged to have handled in the box. Tom Clarke stepped up to secure a point for the visitors.

“The assessor agreed that we were robbed by a referee who bowed to pressure,” said manager Ian Chalk.

“Their two centre backs are very imposing and very much in your face, and I don’t think he dealt with it.

“I have to be delighted with how we played though, because the first half was as good as I have seen Bemerton play, against a side who won 3-0 at Poole Town in the week.

“To break into the top four we have to beat the top four, so we are pleased with our progress.”

*The reserves are at home to Fawley in the Combination Cup first round this Saturday.