Aldershot & Farnham men’s 1st team allayed any relegation fears with three points against league strugglers Southampton University who now themselves have a major task to stay up themselves.

A&F ran riot in the first half, sweeping the students aside and into a 4-0 lead.

A&F bucked their trend of being slow starters with a goal in the fourth minute. Jamie Findlayson fed a neat ball down the right line to Stu Morhall who drove to the baseline and towards the ‘D before cutting back for an eager Ian Metcalfe to sweep into the net.

Four minutes later and it was 2-0, with Harry Johnson from the left-hand side firing a ball across goal where Metcalfe bunted in.

Charlie Dews was close to making it three but couldn’t quite apply a finish at the far post, but the home side didn’t have to wait too long to extend their lead with Charlie Johnson weaving his way at the top of the circle and finishing cutely on the reverse past the onrushing goalkeeper.

A&F had ten minutes where they then sat back too deeply which invited the Uni side on, but A&F’s defence were on fine form. Since a reshuffle of personnel and positions it’s taken a little while to gel, but they now look far more dynamic. Youngster Nathan Stanley was comfortable at centre back whilst James Huggins and Findlayson were two of the standout performers.

Moving forward again it was another drive from Morhall into the right of the ‘D that saw A&F score their fourth with his cross deflected into the goal off a defender.

A&F realised at half time that they must continue to take the game to the opposition, but the Uni came out hard as well and a well contested period ensued. A&F’s best chance during this time came with Aaron Buchanan through one on one with the keeper, but his lifted attempt was well saved.

When Harry Johnson had his stick taken away when in a goalscoring position, a penalty was awarded which Metcalfe tucked away to complete a hat-trick.

Despite the dominant performance A&F only had two short corners in the game. Huggins scored with the second with a hard low drag to complete the 6-0 win.

A&F who had only six points from their first thirteen games have turned those figures around with an uplift in performance seeing them pick up thirteen points from their last six matches.