Will Richardson scored twice in the second half to earn Southampton a 2-2 draw against Hampshire/Surrey Regional Division 1 neighbours Hamble – and almost won it with a reverse stick shot which hit the inside of the visitors’ post and bounced out.

It didn’t look as though it was going to be Southampton’s day when Matt Cross and Nick Williams scored to give Hamble a 2-0 half-time lead.

But Southampton, who had a first half penalty stroke saved by Steve Chalcraft, hit back during an untidy second period fragmented by yellow cards.

Southampton gradually exerted more control and clawed a goal back when Richardson ran on to a pass by James Nurse.

With ten minutes left Richardson converted a penalty corner – a Hamble defender being sin-binned in the process – but the win points in the balance, the Southampton striker was denied a match winning hat-trick when his late shot hit the upright and bounced clear of the incoming players.

Tom Axton notched a hat-trick in Bournemouth’s 7-0 win over Yateley, while Fareham II crashed 6-0 at Woking.

Newly promoted Basingstoke got off the mark with a 1-1 draw against Wanderers, David Stones scoring.