Overton Utd 2 Paulsgrove 1.

Two goals from Alex Jupp sent Overton back to the top of the Hampshire Premier League on Saturday.

After last week’s cup defeat Overton needed to bounce back but Paulgrove was another tough encounter although Overton had the advantage of playing at home on a perfect day for football.

Paulsgrove made all the early running playing neat and concise football on a very good playing surface but Overton weathered the early storm as Paulsgrove peppered Sean O'Brien's goal and stretched Overton to near breaking point.

Four minutes from the break the Paulsgrove keeper tried to play a back pass out of his area only to be closed down by Jupp who won the battle and rolled the ball in to the empty net for the first goal.

The half started much the same with Paulsgrove looking to play open attacking football and just short of the hour O'Brien's mistimed challenge gave away a penalty and Kev Pottage levelled.

From the restart Overton took the game to Paulsgrove and following some excellent work Laith Aldoori created an opening for man of the match Jupp who stood strong in the tackle and drilled the ball home three minutes later.

Paulgrove upped the tempo and hit the post and bar and Aldoori had to clear the ball off the line as a very tough encounter became more physical and the referee took action with several bookings before the game settled down again.

Manager James Fewtrell said after: “Overton did ride their luck at times today but some times you have to win by not play good football and good teams can do that.”