OVERTON will play their first ever game under their new floodlights tonight (7.30pm), when Winchester Castle are the visitors in the Andover Open Cup.
Last Saturday, Overton travelled to Stockbridge and returned with a point in this Hampshire Premier League encounter.
From the off Stockbridge started to look like a team on a survival hunt and got stuck into this game with gritted teeth.
A good header from Billy Drever went just wide of the far post on 12 minutes.
A moment later a good cross from Drever was caught by Overton’s goalkeeper.
A shot from Overton’s centre forward Johnie Gurney flashed across the front of goal and trickled wide of the near post on 16 minutes.
A good shot from Liam Duffel went just wide moments later.
Overton went close on several occasions from Gurney and Nathan Rae but were thwarted by some great goalkeeping by Stockbridge’s Pete Roberts A corner for Stockbridge on 60 minutes was knocked on into the penalty area where Mike Barker was unlucky heading just over the bar.
A free kick just outside 18 yard box for Stocks new boy Billy Lawrence was saved by the Overton keeper on 65 minutes.
Moments later Dave Barker did well to clear another attempt from the visitors.
Overton’s Rae netted on 73 minutes, but the ref had spotted a linesman flagging for offside and the goal was disallowed.
Overton continued to press for a goal which brought out some more good saves from Roberts.
The pick of them was a point blank stop to deny Laith Aldoori and then right at the end Sean O'Brien came off his line to produce an excellent save All in all an encouraging performance from the Robins in this match who may have just kick-started a much needed change of fortune and start to get themselves on for the battle towards safety.
After the game Overton manager Greg Restell said: "Fair play to Stockbridge they are a young side and played well. We had our chances and I have no problem with the disallowed goal. The point blank stop to deny Laith Aldoori has to be the save of the season."
On Saturday, Overton entertain Hampshire Premier League leaders Bush Hill.
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