Somerset kicked off and the opening minutes saw both counties testing each other with ball control being difficult on a bumpy surface. Hampshire were the first to threaten when after 5 minutes Ryan Ferguson cut in from the left only to shoot wide. Somerset responded also by shooting wide and forcing Hampshire to make a couple of hurried clearances out of their penalty area.
On 13 minutes Somerset took the lead when Jack Page sent in a shot from 30 yards which bounced in front of Keiron Burgess in the Hampshire goal. The ball changed direction upon hitting the ground, deceiving Burgess who initially appeared to have had the shot covered only for the ball to end up in the back of the net.
This seemed to spur Hampshire on with Luke Ginger and Ryan Ferguson going close with some long range efforts. On 18 minutes Ryan Ferguson equalised for Hampshire; the ball had been played into the Somerset box, was missed by the Somerset defence and found Ferguson unmarked who steered the ball home from an acute angle inside the right hand post.
Hampshire were looking the more polished side and during the next period of play restricted Somerset to one opportunity which was sent high and wide. On 31 minutes Ferguson latched on to a through ball only to send his shot wide of the target from 20 yards out.
On 35 minutes Somerset regained the lead when a bouncing ball was not cleared from the goal area and Somerset’s Aaron Stewart pounced to score from 6 yards out. Hampshire tried to rally before half time but were not direct enough in their approach play.
Hampshire started the second half in a determined mood and on 49 minutes debutant Jordan Chandler advanced from his defensive position to take possession of a loose ball just outside the Somerset penalty area to fire a shot into the back of the Somerset net. Somerset came back strongly but Hampshire continued to apply the pressure either shooting wide or bringing saves from the Somerset keeper.
Hampshire had a chance to take the lead on 51 minutes when the Somerset keeper fumbled the ball. As the game entered its final period Harry Rudge had an opportunity to put Hampshire ahead but delayed, allowing the Somerset defence to recover. Somerset then sent in a shot which Hampshire’s goalkeeper deflected for a corner. In the final minutes both counties had good appeals for a penalty turned down.
Report by Alan Rosekilly