Gosport Borough 3

Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1

Bemerton team: Domm, Nash, Renyard, Copping, (Chainey) Boswell, Jones, Ahmet, Finlay, Waters, Daubney, (P Gulliver) Harding. Sub (not used) Newman.

THERE were a number of new faces in the Bemerton line-up in the first game of the new season - with its new league sponsor, Sydenhams.

Pre-season injuries to Gary Burden, Neil Cole and Ian Chalk and with new signing Darren Turner on holiday, the Harlequins were forced into a much changed line-up to last season.

Travelling to Gosport for the first fixture was always going to be a daunting task with the home side one of the favourites for the championship.

Bemerton started very well with new boy Stuart Finlay setting up Nathan Renyard in the fifth minute but the latter fired wide. In the next minute, Gosport broke clear down the left and the Quins defence was nowhere to be seen as Neil Scammel controlled the cross and shot past new keeper, James Domm.

They were again caught napping when a right wing cross was deflected by Darren Harding past his own keeper for the second goal. It was an uphill struggle now but the Quins pulled up their socks and forced the home side to defend stubbornly as Bemerton took their game forward.

When Finlay was fouled just outside the penalty area, goalkeeper Mark Brown brought off a superb save from Nash's free kick.

Domm then saved the Quins when two super reflex saves kept the score at 2-0 right on half time.

The second half produced another quick goal for Gosport.

Graham Linsay scored from close range for a simple goal as Bemerton's defence appeared mesmerised by simple passing done very quickly.

Andrew Waters did manage a goal for the visitors with a neat piece of trickery which got him through the defence to skip the ball under the advancing keeper in the 65th minute.

Waters should have made it 3-2 as a move down the right involving Jason Ahmet and Carl Jones who crossed low to Waters but his shot flew over the bar. Both sides made substitutions but there was no further scoring.

Bemerton Reserves came from two down to beat newcomers, Cowes Sports Reserves, 3-2. Goals from Danny Aplin, Matty Alford and Ray Hughes led the recovery.

On Saturday, the Quins play Bournemouth at home, kickoff 3pm, and are due to play Alton Town away, kickoff 11am, on Monday.