AFC Stoneham narrowly lost 4-2 away to Laverstock and Ford in a intense affair that saw two red cards.

The nine men of AFC Stoneham showed grit and determination to battle hard but were just edged out in a game that could have gone either way.

Both teams were looking to go long in the opening minutes, but it was AFC Stoneham who were dictating the play and had the majority of possession.

The Laverstock defence dealt well with crosses from Hills and Martins but the best chance early on fell to Bulpitt, who’s storming run through the midfield ended in a long-range effort that just went wide of the post.

However, Laverstock took the lead in the 16th minute when the ball fell kindly to their player following a scramble in the box.

Stoneham quickly regained control and almost drew level shortly after, when Bulpitt’s deflected shot nearly creeped its way in following a short free-kick.

Surging runs from Callaghan were also causing problems for theLaverstock defence, forcing them into challenges to stop him from carving his way through their team.

Just before the 35th minute, the home side doubled their lead after ping-pong in the box and despite blocking a few efforts, the ball found its way out to the right-hand side where it was smashed into the net.

However, it only took three minutes for Stoneham to respond and grab a goal back after Cade Dyer’s deflected free kick ended up in the back of the net and gave the away side something to take into half time.

Half Time: Laverstock& Ford 2-1 AFC Stoneham.

The Purps had a perfect start to the second half when they levelled the scoring one minute in after Martins off-target shot was tapped in by the lively Callaghan.

But the feisty affair finally boiled over in the 50th minute when Ovington saw red following an incident that sparked an outburst of emotion between the two teams.

The next 12 minutes saw Laverstock score two more after exploiting the space and taking advantage of the extra man.

Goalkeeper Tom Parker-Trott then denied them another after a brilliant save from point-blank range, stopping an almost certain goal.

Stoneham then went down to nine men after top goal scorer Martins received a second yellow.

However, the remaining nine showed fantastic attitude and worked tirelessly as a team, defending as a unit and seeing the final 18 minutes through.

Laverstock& Ford Starting XI: Taylor, Fletcher, Wakeford, Bourner (C), Brockway, Matthews, Ward, Lovegrove, Sykes, Roach, Jones

Subs: Roberts, Edgar, Campbell-Smith, Jackson, Roberts.

AFC Stoneham Starting XI:Parker-Trott, Barnes, Dyer, Bulpitt, Ovington, Clarke, Callaghan, Thomson, Martins, Bainbridge (C), Hills.

Subs: Orvis, Ockwell, Cleary, Clements.

By Freddie Dorman