ROMSEY’S Hampshire/Surrey Regional 2 campaign began with the disappointing 3-1 home defeat by Addiscombe, who exploited errors by the hosts to take all three points.

Both sides looked to make themselves hard to break down when out of possession by adopting half pitch defensive press formations.

Romsey had an early opportunity as striker Neil Strong was found in space in the area by a clever pass, but his neat deflection lacked a runner at the back post to put it in.

Addiscombe, who narrowly missed promotion last season, took the lead when two fluffed penalty corner routines resulted in further set pieces being awarded and John Bourne executed the third with a drag-flick launched high into the net.

Romsey improved as the first half progressed, retaining the ball better to build their attacks more effectively and eventually they were duly rewarded with an equaliser.

A quickly taken 23-metre restart ended with Joe Welch fizzing a slap pass into the D where Chris Mason’s, pictured, well timed run deflected the ball up into the goal. After half-time the hosts came close from a penalty corner of their own as Jack Forrest-Charde fired a second phase shot narrowly wide after his first effort was charged down.

Addiscombe restored their lead after Romsey gave the ball cheaply on the half-way line and compounded the error by conceding a silly penalty corner with a rash tackle – Bourne making it 2-1 with another drag-flick.

The Surrey visitors made sure of the points by capitalising on another error as goalkeeper Loz Scott looked to prevent a 23-metre restart by kicking the ball to his centre-back, but instead found Will Johnson, who converted a two-on-one opportunity.