PROMOTION-CHASING Finchampstead suffered a blow after a 1-0 defeat at Holyport on Saturday.

It was Finch’s third loss of the season in Hellenic Division One East leaving them second in the table and two points behind leaders Penn & Tylers Green.

Finch started the match the stronger side and Adam Barnard went close to scoring with a long-range free kick.

But Port responded and a swift breakaway saw Norbut Green sent clean through on goal only for Sam Green to arrive from nowhere to make a crucial tackle.

The visitors threatened again when a Greg Alexander effort from a corner whistled just wide of the target.

Jon Laugharne’s men remained on the front foot and were dominant in midfield, but they were wasteful in front of goal.

The hosts, though, grew into the match with Avery firing wide from a direct free kick.

Barnard replied for Finch though once again he missed the target from a good position.

The visitors were soon made to pay as Port broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Rob Boyd’s angled shot flew past Tom Bryant from an Adam Wyatt assist.

Finch hit back after the break but Port keeper Kyle Bradley made a vital save to tip a Danny Wing effort over the bar.

Then Barnard stung Bradley’s hands from a free kick before substitute Gavin Rolls went close as Finch pushed for an equaliser.

But Port remained a danger and almost added a second goal with a shot that hit the crossbar.

Nevertheless, Finch continued to create the more clear cut chances as Dan Blatchford, Freddie Barron and Luke Axton-Hall all threatened.

However, it wasn’t to be Finch’s day and their frustrations were summed up when Alexander missed from point-blank range in the closing stages.

Finch host mid-table Chalfont Wasps at Memorial Ground this Saturday (3pm).

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA

MATT Griffiths snatched an extra-time goal to earn Eversley & California a tremendous 3-2 win over Walton Casuals in the Southern Combination Cup.

It sealed a spirited fight-back as the Boars had trailed 2-0 inside the opening 15 minutes.

They then lost keeper Louis Hoptroff with a thigh injury, leaving Adrian Giles to take over.

But the Eversley side showed their character by hitting back in determined fashion in the second half.

After 55 minutes Brad Smith turned in a cross from Matt Stamp and six minutes later Stamp headed home from Cameron Blackie free- kick.

Boars were now in top and looked the more likely side to win in normal time. Smith did get the ball into the Casuals net, but it was ruled out for offside.

Eversley dominated the first period of extra time, but it needed a great save from Giles to deny Casuals a third goal.

The winner came just before half-time when Matt Griffiths raced through to coolly place the ball into the back of the net.

Eversley had to withstand late Walton pressure with William Neville making a vital tackle to deny Walton a late equaliser.

Manager Neville Roach described it as a “massive team performance against a very good side” and added: “Myself and the management team (are) so proud of the players.”

Boars played Frimley Green in the Aldershot Senior Cup last night and meet them again in the league at Fox Lane on Saturday when they will be looking to make it six wins from six home games.

Sandhurst Town defeated struggling Sheerwater 4-2 at Bottom Meadow in Division 1 of the Combined Counties League, leaving them seventh in the table.

They led 3-1 at half-time in another solid team performance.

Both sides had to provide a linesmen for the game after the the league had switched the scheduled assistants to a Premier Division fixture.

The Fizzers will be looking for three more points this Saturday when they travel to play eighth-placed Cobham at the Leg of Mutton Field.