AFC Stoneham continued their league campaign under the lights on Tuesday night at Stoneham Lane with a 3-1 win against Blackfield and Langley.
Two goals from Duarte Martins and one from Dan Millar secured the win.
Stoneham started the brighter of the two sides with a flurry of chances in the opening period, most notably off Owen Fee who cut inside from the right hand side and had an effort that was turned behind for a corner by the goalkeeper.
Josh Williams had a strike from the resulting corner which was blocked well on the line.
Stoneham’s next chance came twenty minutes into the match as Tyrell Sampson received the ball and cut inside with a curling effort that was palmed away by the goalkeeper before an onrushing Duarte Martins was able to latch onto the end of it.
Josh Williams was the next to try his luck after an unsuccessful give and go between Owen Fee and Duarte Martins, Martins turned the ball back for Josh Williams who struck inches over the bar from the edge of the area.
Duarte Martins was able to break the deadlock just before half time with a flicked on header from a cross by Tyrell Sampson.
Minutes later, Duarte turned provider as he slipped the ball in behind for Owen Fee with a dinked finish however it was offside.
There was also time for Tyrell Sampson to hit the bar with a speculative effort from a crossing position before the half time whistle.
The away side struck back from a corner courtesy of a Josh Rose header from point blank range.
The combination of Tyrell Sampson and Duarte Martins almost paid dividends in response, however a header from the number nine dipped agonisingly over the bar.
Duarte Martins was then able to score once again for the home side
Good work from Tyrell Sampson released Jim Orvis who squared the ball for Duarte to turn home.
The third followed from a corner as Dan Millar rose highest to head home from point blank range.
Oli Jenkins should have added a fourth just before half time to seal the win as he followed in his first header which hit the bar to head over with the goal beckoning.
The purps were then able to hold out for victory.
Stoneham manager James Phillips was pleased with the win, however he was reluctant to praise his side’s display.
“I am obviously pleased with the three points, but i am not pleased with the performance to be honest.”
“I thought that we dropped our standards a little bit to be honest, probably thinking it would be an easier game than it turned out to be.”
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