Mottisfont 4, Broughton 3 - Hampshire League Div 2

Near neighbours Mottisfont and Broughton shared seven goals, the leaders shading it by the odd goal. Font started strongly, and when Broughton contributed to the first goal - scored by Michael Jackson - with some slack defending, it appeared that the hosts might run riot. But the visitors strung together some neat football and spurned a good opportunity to level. Shortly after that, a misdirected clearance after good work by Lee Cogan and Steve Morgan gave Broughton another bite of the cherry, and Wayne Palmer duly obliged with the equaliser. This seemed to unsettle Font, and the pacy Cogan put Broughton 2-1 up, getting clear of the defence to smash keeper Paul Fielder's punch into the net. Thankfully for Font, Jackson was again on target soon afterwards to send the teams in level at the break. With the slope in their favour the hosts had the better of the exchanges in the second half. They met strong resistance, however, from a Broughton side who belied their lowly position with good football. Twenty minutes into the half, Jackson rose to head home a Mike Burgess corner, completing his hat-trick and putting Font ahead again. Further pressure brought about a fourth home goal when Ian Bradwell seized on Robbie Abbott's through ball to beat the advancing Richard Blake. With the result seemingly decided, the hosts relaxed and Broughton were rewarded for their industry when Cogan again used his pace to drag it back to 4-3. That meant a nervy finale, but Mottisfont clung on to claim all three points in a match refereed in excellent fashion by Geoff Bray. For Broughton, Dan Palmer did well at sweeper, while Font striker Al Bundy - although not on the scoresheet for a change - impressed with his movement and speed. l Broughton face another local derby tomorrow at M&T Awbridge. They'll be without Cogan, who started a 112-day suspension this week, plus veteran defender Paul Collis, who has a 35-day ban. But they're hoping striker Gary Lane will be fit to return.