Fielder's fumbles best to forget.

Mottisfont 1, Hayling United Reserves 2.

Mottisfont were finally able to go ahead with their delayed third round tie after the awful weather of the previous two weeks with a tough tie against Hayling United Reserves who are currently sitting on top of the Wessex Combination League.

The 'Font started brightly, pressing hard down the left hand side with Colin Morris making some good darting runs. Morris almost took the lead when the keeper was fortunate to get a hand to a shot that threaded through a crowded defence and went for a corner. 'Font continued to attack and had four more corners in the early stages.

However, the game levelled out with the visitors gaining more of the play, but generally the game had a lack of real chances with both sides competing fiercely for the ball.

Hayling had a great chance to go in front when one of their front men was sent clean through but Paul Fielder made a great block to save the 'Font as the game neared half-time.

With the game still goalless the 'Font were dealt a blow when Alan Bundy suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced by Guy Bewick who had a good chance to score just before the break.

In the second half the 'Font struggled to get their game going as both sides locked horns in a centre of midfield stalemate. Suddenly, out of the blue, a cracking drive by Nigel Cutler from 30 yards gave the keeper no chance and put the 'Font in front. The visitors then lost their keeper after he bravely blocked a shot and injuring his leg in the process. Five minutes later, Hayling equalised with a bizarre goal as a hopeful long shot somehow went past keeper Fielder who claimed to be completely blinded by the sun.

Both sides then went all out for the winner with Hayling looking the more effective side. There was a great chance for Mark Green to put the Font in front, but he headed over from close in.

After so much midfield drudgery there was still a twist in this game and, with four minutes to go, Hayling went on the attack and Fielder came out to catch the ball but it completely bounced over his head, enabling the Hayling forward to run the ball into the net for the winner.

This Saturday (Dec 9) Mottisfont are at home to Otterbourne in the third round of the Southampton Senior Cup (kick-off 1.45pm).