Hartley's the hero as Reds resdiscover winning form

Bosham rediscovered their winning ways with a 3-2 success over Pease Pottage at Walton Lane - putting recent losses behind them after their season had threatened to implode in recent weeks.

Kieran Hartley was the headline grabber with a winner in injury time to seal the points against a rugged Blues side who did their best to heap more misery on the Reds with a determined display at Walton Lane.

Bosham managers Tony Hancock and Tom Evans had a full squad to choose from, even having the luxury of putting Dan Rehill on the bench, along with new keeper Simon Keene.

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The match got under way at a fierce pace set by both sides but it was around the half-hour mark that the game really sprang into life.

James Francis put the visitors in front, heading in from a corner and leaving keeper Lee Arnell to rue his luck – and his defence.

A short time later the Reds were back in it when Bradley Miles was on hand to nudge the hosts back on level terms. Graeme Dowden drove a free kick low into the danger zone from the right and, somehow, the ball evaded all – until Miles popped up with a deft touch to wrongfoot keeper Martin Francis.

The Reds’ celebrations didn’t last long, however, as Pease Pottage restored their advantage when Tom Tolfery headed home after Jamie Ashley was given too much time from a cross from the right.

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A moment’s madness from a Blues defender handed Bosham another lifeline.

Dowden was tripped in the area leaving referee Wayne Webb no choice but to point to the spot.

Miles applied the finish to bring the scores level again.

Through the rest of the game, the visitors had the better chances to take the points, with Ben Stewart, Francis and Tolfery all going close.

Bosham had a lot of possession but their class up front wasn’t as sharp as it could have been.

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Late on, Arnell was penalised for a foul on Stewart and a penalty was awarded.

However, Arnell saved well from the spot-kick, taken by Ashley.

The Reds took the plaudits when, in injury time, Hartley found space down the right and tried to cross into the danger zone.

Instead, the ball swerved in the air and ballooned over the outstretched hand of Francis and in.

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Pease Pottage’s players sank to their knees and Bosham held firm.

Bosham captain Miles said: “We needed a bit of luck and this week we finally got it!

“This result was a must for us and, hopefully, will boost the side for challenges to come.”

BOSHAM: Arnell, Probee, Carrigher, Blanshard, Grantham, Miles, Hounsome, Dowden, Hancock, Sheen, Phillips. Subs: Rehill, Bracher, Hancock, Keene.

ALAN PRICE