Southampton League Senior Invitation Trophy - Semi-final TROPHY holders Nursling produced a nightmare defensive display to go out of the competition against their old rivals at Claypits Lane, Hythe.

It took only seven minutes for Botley to go in front. Nursling keeper Danny Gettings made a good save, but confusion followed and their opponents were able to score from the rebound.

The second goal came five minutes later when the ball was cleared by Nursling only to be volleyed back into the roof of the net from 30 yards out. It was reminiscent of Uruguay's recent goal against England!

Shaken by the bad start, Nursling started to get their game together. But their offside trap failed to work effectively after 27 minutes and a Botley forward gratefully ran through to knock a third goal past the stranded Gettings.

Nursling were missing midfield dynamos Jake Wilson and Andy Kemp, but replaced midfielder Greg Coke with striker Lee Brown.

He hit the bar and Darren Colvin smacked a shot against the post before the pair combined for Colvin to pull back a goal just before the interval.

The same player added a second early in the second half and then hit the post again as Nursling threatened to take control of the match. But a misunderstanding between defenders Matt Hambidge and Alex Totten gifted a crucial fourth goal to their opponents for them to take a 4-2 lead. Nursling hit the woodwork twice more but were unable to retrieve the situation.

"It was our poorest performance for a very long time," said co-manager Mike Lyel.

"We had already beaten Botley twice in the league, but they deserved to win this one.

"You can't carry a handful of players in any match. Some of our lads just didn't seem to turn up mentally."

Nursling are scheduled to return to league action tomorrow (Sat Mar 11) with a visit to Hythe Aztecs (weather permitting)