BEMERTON Heath Harlequins lost their second successive game in a typically high-scoring affair on Saturday.

The 5-3 defeat at Alresford Town means that their league games boast nearly five goals on average. It all started so well, Graham Mankin sidefooting home after just two minutes, and seven minutes later Kane O’Keefe won a penalty which Tom Roberts converted.

Dan Strange reduced the arrears in the 11th minute, and Zach Glasspool levelled just past the half-hour mark.

The turnaround was complete before the break, Warren Bentley making it 3-2, and there was even time for a fourth Magpies goal before the whistle. Dan Metcalfe was adjudged to have handballed in the box, and Bentley finished from the spot.

Bemerton were given some hope on the stroke of half time when Stuart Green was dismissed for a wild tackle, but Glasspool put the game out of reach with a 20-yard free kick three minutes after the restart. Mankin's looping header in the 55th minute was the last goal of the game.

Bemerton have another tough test on Saturday when they welcome Winchester City to Western Way. The reserves lost 4-3 to New Milton Town in the Wyvern Shield on Saturday, Russell Jones, Thomas Moseley and Lyndon Taylor netting.