Palmer and Lewis net all-important second-half goals

LITTLE OAKLEY 2

Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division

SECOND-HALF goals from Mark Palmer and Trevor Lewis secured the points at Alresford.

The visitors ran out worthy winners to consolidate fourth place.

They went close in the first few minutes, when Liam Duly’s free-kick led to a header for Shaun Kioussis.

However, his effort crashed against the bar.

A deep corner from Duly saw Thomson clear, with Lewis Wood bearing down on him.

From Duly’s next corner, Wood then headed wide of the mark.

Slack defending by Oakley nearly gifted Alresford a goal but good tracking back by Adam Bloss stopped them in their tracks.

A one-two between Mark Palmer and Trevor Lewis ended with a poor shot from Palmer trickling back to home keeper Spencer.

Oakley ended the half on the attack and, from an acute angle, Lewis rifled over.

The Acorns burst into life at the start of the second half, with a goal after just three minutes.

Rob Pratt picked up a loose ball just inside the area and his shot struck the post.

It rebounded to Mark Palmer, who scored via the inside of the far post.

Another free-kick from Duly saw a free header by Sam Eldridge go wide and then Pratt headed straight at Spencer.

Oakley should have doubled their lead when Lewis put a great chance over the bar.

Just past the hour-mark, Oakley did indeed double their advantage thanks to a contentious goal.

Lewis latched on to Adam Eldridge’s header, with Alresford up in arms demanding a linesman’s flag, and Lewis slid his shot past a distraught Spencer.

With Oakley’s defence standing firm and Bloss commanding in midfield, Oakley attacked at regular intervals.

A deep cross from Mark Palmer saw a glancing header by Matt Geen go wide.

Bloss and Duly combined well but Eldridge, in space in the area, took a heavy touch.

With time running out, Rory Harman and Nicky Palmer combined for the latter to square to Eldridge, who turned but sent his shot straight at Spencer.

The final chance fell to McConnell, with a header that was saved by Good.