Sydenhams Football League (Wessex)

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Match Reports 2011-12

 

MONDAY 7TH MAY

Christchurch 3-1 Brockenhurst (League Cup Final)

By MATT RICHBELL at Western Way

CHRISTCHURCH were victorious in a hard-fought League Cup Final, when they overcame BROCKENHURST 3-1 at Western Way on Bank Holiday Monday. A Sam Griffin strike in the first-half along with a Ben Osborne second-half brace earned the Priory victory but they didn't have it all their own way. Christchurch started the game brightly with Mark Smith causing problems. The midfielder sent a dangerous delivery into the box that Sam Griffin couldn't quite reach and then minutes later he had an effort from the edge of the box that clipped the top of the crossbar. Callum Burt and Ben Osborne both also had opportunities early on but were unable to hit the target. Brockenhurst then ventured forward after a quarter of an hour and Warren Kenna came close with an effort that dipped just past the post. Ashley Booker also came close for the Foresters shortly afterwards. The deadlock was broken midway through the first-half when Sam Griffin drilled a low effort into the bottom corner, past Scott O'Rourke in the Brockenhurst goal. Brockenhurst responded well to going a goal behind, and Ben Sullivan had an effort saved by Joe Prodomo. Shortly afterwards, Brockenhurst sent a dangerous free kick into the penalty box. The kick evaded everybody including Prodomo and struck the post before being eventually cleared off the line. Warren Kenna was the next to come close for Brock with a header that went over the crossbar and Christchurch preserved their lead going into half-time.
Three minutes after the restart and it was all-square when Warren Kenna scored a contender for goal of the season. Kenna saw Christchurch goalkeeper, Joe Prodomo, off his line, and he launched an ambitious effort towards goal from fully 35 yards, which went over the stranded goalkeepers' head and into the goal. Christchurch then went back into the ascendency once again and Callum Burt had an effort just over the crossbar. Brockenhurst responded once again and Richard Morse and Carlo Tate both came close. Fifteen minutes from time, there was a mix-up in defence with Scott O'Rourke and a Brockenhurst defender and Christchurch striker Ben Osborne capitalised by firing the ball into the empty net. Christchurch pushed to further their advantage and Mark Smith volleyed wide from an Osborne cross. Russell Cook then twice came close when firstly, he was denied by O'Rourke from close range and he then rounded the keeper only to have an effort cleared off the line. Richard Morse went down the other end in a bid to find a late equaliser for Brockenhurst, but he shot just wide. Then Christchurch ventured forward and Paul Roberts was tripped inside the penalty box. Ben Osborne smashed home the spot kick, sending O'Rourke the wrong way and sending the Christchurch supporters into raptures.

Click on the link to see the moment that Osborne scored from the penalty spot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJH6WUNS0So&feature=youtube_gdata_player

WEDNESDAY 2ND MAY

Christchurch 2-0 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Hurn Bridge

This match, the last league game of the season for both teams, was held over from the previous Saturday due to flooding at Christchurch's "drought-hit" Hurn Bridge ground.  Both sides started at a high tempo with the hosts well aware that a win would earn them third place in the final table.  But the Magpies matched Christchurch in the early stages; Adie de la Nougerede's effort was tipped over the home bar by Jason Collins, and from the rebound Dan Strange's drive was saved. Christchurch quickly responded, with Sam Griffin sending James Burden through the middle of the visitors' defence, but Chris Waller was out quickly to smother the danger with one of several superb saves. Ash Ledger's error let Marc Fairbrother in for a run on the Alresford goal, but he shot wide as the hosts sought to dominate.  But Magpies left-winger Danilio Cadete was giving his marker a tough time as the two sides traded blow for blow in a good quality encounter. Christchurch broke the deadlock on 30 minutes with a simple goal.  Alresford were left cursing their inattentiveness as Griffin, unmarked, headed home a left-wing corner from the six-yard line. Suhael Odeh, who happily completed 90 minutes on his return from injury, then set up Mike McEnery for a run on the home goal, but Collins was out quickly to deny him while Strange fired over from another piece of Odeh link-up play. After the break the quality dropped just a little.  Griffin was lucky to play an inadvertent one-two with an Alresford defender, Waller pulling off another brilliant save.  But Griffin was not to be denied, and on 51 minutes he broke through on the right.  With the visitors appealing in vain for an offside flag, he rifled a diagonal shot past Waller and in at the far post to make it 2-0. Midway through the half Alresford introduced young subs Jamie Bentley and Jamie Ovens, both regulars in the reserve team that has won the Wyvern Division 1 East Championship, for a taste of Sydenhams Wessex football.  Alresford's main attacking threat still came from Cadete and the buzzing Carl Saunders, while at the other end Priory subs Harry Cornick and Russell Cook both had chances to extend their side's lead. At the final whistle the hosts were delighted with the three points that gives them that coveted third spot, while Alresford can look back on a good performance which might on another day have brought them some reward.  The visitors can now pack their bags for a well-earned break, while Christchurch still have the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup final - against Brockenhurst - to contest.

TUESDAY 1ST MAY

Fleet Spurs 2-0 Team Solent (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Kennels Lane

Spurs finished the season on a high with an excellent victory on Tuesday night against Team Solent, who had mounted a serious challenge for the Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1 title and have earned a creditable top four place in their first season in the league. The game started brightly with both sides playing enterprising football.  The first real chance fell to the visitors, who were unlucky to hit the post after a slick move down the left.  This was the closest they were to come to scoring.  Although they established territorial superiority, helped by Fleet's tendency to concede possession too easily, they created few clear-cut openings.  On the other hand, Spurs' first incursion into Solent's half for many minutes brought its reward when a right-wing cross from Sam Cobbett found Tom Chillery, who unselfishly set up his brother James to find the bottom corner of the net from 12 yards.  Fleet began to see more of the ball, and squandered a couple of decent chances, but half-time came with the home side one goal to the good. The second half started with Solent dominating possession, but again lacking any cutting edge and failing to outwit the customary resolute Spurs defending.  As the half developed, Fleet came more into the game, and Tom Chillery was brought down in the box after a typically elusive run.  He took the spot-kick himself, leaving keeper Barry Squires helpless.  Solent continued to have the bulk of the possession, but could not trouble the Spurs defence too much, and the game ended with the home side victorious. Spurs are now comfortably in the top half of the table, and will finish either 7th or 8th depending on results elsewhere.  This represents a most encouraging start to manager Andy Hunt's managerial career at Fleet.  Since Christmas, the side has gained 32 points from 17 games, which represents top four form.  The club can look forward to next season with justified optimism, particularly now the team is settled in shape and personnel.

 

SATURDAY 21ST APRIL

Ringwood Town 0-1 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at the Canotec Stadium

Spurs managed to hold on to a one-goal lead at the Canotec Stadium to gain a hard-fought three points.

The game started untidily with both teams hampered by a gusty wind and a bouncy end-of season pitch, and chances were few and far between.  What there were fell mostly to Fleet, but occurred more as a result of careless Ringwood play than their own creative play.  Sam Knowles and Tom Chillery both had half-chances, which they were unable to put away, whilst Town only mustered a couple of shots, which sailed harmlessly over the bar or went wide.  Five minutes before half-time, Spurs defender James Wills probably came closest to opening the account, though at the wrong end, but his strong header was fortunately straight at the startled Ryan Bone.

The second half started much the same, but seven minutes after the break, home skipper Charlie Pierson attempted to clear an Adam Aimable cross, but only succeeded in heading it powerfully into his own net.  This setback appeared to wake Ringwood up, and for the rest of the game they besieged the Fleet goal, with the visitors only threatening sporadically on the break.  Striker Martin Edwards was particularly unlucky or profligate, either missing narrowly or finding Bone equal to his shots on target. When Bone was beaten, the post and resolute defence from Spurs - including a spectacular goal-line clearance from sub James Powell - kept their goal intact.  In one of Fleet's rare breaks, Sam Knowles beat keeper Josh Daley with a powerful drive, but the ball rebounded from the underside of the crossbar.  A 2-0 scoreline really would have been unjust.

Fleet manager Andy Hunt graciously accepted his side's good fortune, but added "We made our own luck thanks to one of our customary never-say-die performances."

SATURDAY 14TH APRIL

AFC Portchester 2-0 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at the Wicor Receation Ground

Spurs were well beaten by a very impressive Portchester side who, barring an improbable mathematical freak, are now assured of Wessex Premier Division football next season.

From the kick-off, Portchester took the initiative, which they were never going to lose.  Indeed they might have scored in the second minute but fluffed a straightforward chance.  As the game developed Spurs made sporadic breaks, but never really threatened the home goal and Portchester made a series of chances, all of which they squandered.  Just before half-time, Jack Chambers turned awkwardly and had to be stretchered off with what turned out to be torn knee ligaments.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Portchester piling on the pressure but unable to score because of poor finishing, determined defence by Fleet - including a last-ditch goal-line clearance by Sam Cobbett - and some fine saves from Ryan Bone.  However ten minutes into the half, the league's top scorer Simon Woods rounded Bone and although he scuffed his shot, it wrong-footed the Spurs defence and trickled over the line off the far post.  Spurs continued to battle, but without causing the home defence any serious problems, and Portchester continued to press.  Two minutes from the end of normal time Woods slid home a left-wing cross to notch his 37th goal of the season, and make the score line a fairer reflection of the game.

Fleet manager Andy Hunt was generous in defeat, saying "We had a few regulars missing and weren't at our best, but take nothing away from Portchester who thoroughly deserve their promotion.  They're probably the best side we've played this season."

Hayling United 2-1 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Hayling College

Hayling picked up three vital points in their attempt to stave off finishing in the bottom two places after a well-contested tussle with Alresford on a bumpy pitch at Hayling College.

Lee Wood, recovered from injury, played in harness with Graham Bird as the Magpies tried out a new central defensive pairing, while Jamil Saleh returned in the Alresford engine room.

The match was largely contested in midfield to begin with as both sides tried to come to terms with the erratic bounce.  For the visitors Mike McEnery sidefooted wide from a corner, and Dean Cole volleyed over the home bar after Carl Saunders had accidentally nodded the ball to him while trying for goal himself.  But it was Hayling who took the lead on 25 minutes, Alex Easton netting at the second attempt after Chris Waller's legs kept out his first shot.

The latter part of the first half was characterized by a flurry of yellow cards for some innocuous-looking offences, and two penalties.  Alresford equalized from the spot, Cole the man on target after home keeper Lloyd Patilla floored Saleh.  But Hayling spurned the chance to go ahead again when Wood's off-the-ball collision with Lenny Burney led to a penalty at the other end. Easton's spot-kick hit the base of the post and ran to safety.

In the second half Alresford, anxious not to upset the referee further, were not at their best even though Saunders, Cole and Adie de la Nougerede all came close to putting them ahead.  Hayling gradually took control, and Burney was able to pick his spot for the eventual winner on 73 minutes after Easton did the spadework and reached the bye-line on the left.

Alresford tried to get back into it, but by and large their efforts lacked conviction.  The hosts, who survived a frantic 88th-minute goalmouth scramble, were delighted to bank three points in their bid to beat the drop.

MONDAY 9TH APRIL

Alresford Town 2-0 Fawley AFC (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Alrebury Park

Alresford assured themselves of a highest-ever points total in the Wessex Premier with this relatively comfortable Easter Monday victory over goal-shy Fawley.

The game got off to a slow start in unaccustomed wet conditions.  Neither side had a great deal of incentive, but after the initial exchanges both played attractive attacking football.  The only worthy effort in the first ten minutes stemmed from Pete Keating's free-kick for Fawley, but Danny Edwards did well to block the ensuing shot from Darren Morris.

At the other end Adam Tong beat out Mike McEnery's shot on the turn, with McEnery unable to direct his follow-up effort on target.

The game was interrupted on 28 minutes by a serious injury to Alresford's latest signing, striker Suhael Odeh.  He was desperately unlucky to slide into a stanchion supporting the pitch-side crash barriers, taking the full weight of the impact on his left shin.  The game was suspended for 25 minutes while an ambulance was summoned.  However, the good news later on was that an X-ray had revealed no break, and after internal and external stitches Odeh was sent home to recuperate.  Alresford Town FC would like to place on record their thanks to physio Sally Carey, the highly professional medical staff who attended and all those who helped in the aftermath of this nasty accident.

As Odeh left the field on a stretcher, applauded by both sets of players, the game got underway once more but both sides took a little while to settle down again and neither goal was seriously threatened before half-time.

The Magpies almost broke the deadlock just after the break when Dean Cole's shot hit the underside of the crossbar, and with Danilio Cadete making some scorching runs on the left and Carl Saunders supporting the attack with some driving runs through the middle, the home side looked the more likely to score.

The breakthrough came on 69 minutes when Cole accepted a diagonal pass and rounded Tong in the Fawley goal.  He was forced wide, but took a touch to control the ball on the bye-line before hammering his shot through the retreating keeper's legs from what appeared a miraculously tight angle.

The visitors fought back, and Ben Murphy broke through three tackles to set up Matt Vining, but he shot wide.  Then, Murphy's deflected shot almost fell perfectly for Luke Morley, but Alresford keeper Chris Waller was out quickly to smother the ball and avert the danger.

Fawley were finding McEnery tough to handle, and after some close shaves at both ends it was his contribution that proved decisive.  After a meandering run that left several defenders, and even himself, on their backsides the loose ball ran to Saunders, who smashed it home confidently from the edge of the box.  With 90 minutes now just about up, the contest was over.

Tadley Calleva 2-3 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Barlows Park

Spurs achieved a 100% success from their Easter games, but they would be the first to admit that this victory owed more to smash-and-grab than to a well crafted and merited success.

The game started brightly as both sides attacked at every opportunity with Tadley particularly lively.  After 20 minutes, and somewhat against the run of the play, James Wills brilliantly made space for himself on the left despite the attention of several Tadley players and sent an inch-perfect through ball to Sam Knowles who slipped the ball beyond the advancing Darren Maunder to give Spurs the lead.  Quarter of an hour later, the Fleet defence could only half-clear a corner and Peter White hammered home an unstoppable volley with his left foot - judging by his splendid post-goal mime, the foot he normally uses only to stand on - to equalise.

After the break, Calleva began to get on top, and soon Jason Graham outpaced the Spurs defence before slotting the ball past Ryan Bone to make the score 2-1 for a deserved lead.  But this was not to last long as Fleet fought back and after 60 minutes, Knowles rose above the Tadley defence to head in a right-wing corner to bring the scores level again.  After this, Calleva took control of the game, and only desperate defence  by Fleet and some good saves by Bone kept the score-sheet equal.  As the game moved into stoppage time, there came the sucker punch.  A loose ball on the edge of the Tadley box fell to Knowles, and he swivelled faster than the QE2 to put the ball beyond Maunder's reach into the corner to complete his hat-trick and gain Spurs a scarcely deserved three points.

TUESDAY 4TH APRIL

Christchurch 1-1 Winchester City (Premier Division)

By STEVE WOODGATE at Hurn Bridge

Winchester City will have to put the champagne on ice until Saturday after Dan Thompson's second half equalizer. 
Striker Dom Allen gave the away side a deserved lead at the break, but Christchurch's youthful team came out fighting and was good value for the point. Manager Guy Butters was pleased to see his side get to their fluent best despite not getting the result he wanted. "It's a shame we didn't win, but we have the chance to win the title at home and that's good," said the ex-Pompey man. Overall I was pleased. The first half we were back to our best, playing some wonderful stuff. Loads of one-twos and dummies. Really pleasing on the eye. The second half we went a little more direct but Christchurch stepped up and were very good. They have some youngsters coming through and next year they will be very good. We looking forward to the game against GE Hamble on Saturday now. They are a good team and know us well. But if we play like we did in the first half tonight, it shouldn't be too much trouble." Winchester started the game brightly knowing that any sort of victory will secure promotion back to the Southern League. After a few half-chances, a routine win looked on the cards. However, Russell Cook threatened to ruin the plot when he turned inside and struck the post. This seemed to spur City on. Charlie Smeeton, back to his busy self, set up Dom Allen who cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable left foot drive to give City the lead at the break. Prolific striker Jamie White almost doubled the lead, but his toe poke effort went narrowly wide before Christchurch started to dominate proceedings. Thompson managed to find the back of net. The defender finally got on the end of ex-Winchester midfielder Mikey Smith's corner to square things. Ex-Saint White, quiet for his standards, then brought a brave save by James Collins, diving at his feet to stop a certain goal and giving City the lead. Both side had chances to win the game. Charlie Smeeton's goal bound effort was hooked off the line and Sam Griffin saw a volley well saved by Rory Anderson. Winchester City take on GE Hamble at Denplan City Ground on Saturday needing two points to secure promotion.

SATURDAY 24TH MARCH

Whitchurch United 1-0 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Longmeadow

Whitchurch grabbed the only goal to gain a narrow victory in a game of few chances.

From the start it was clear that both sides would have difficulty in controlling the ball properly on a very hard end-of-season pitch.  For the first twenty minutes, the ball spent most of the time in the air and neither side could retain possession for more than a couple of passes, so it was no surprise that the game was sterile with neither team creating anything worthwhile.  However, midway through the half, impressive home striker Paul Coventry picked up a through ball, held off the Fleet defence and coolly lofted the ball over Ryan Bone and into the net.

After the break, the game continued in a similar vein, though the quality of the play improved somewhat as both sides had more success keeping the ball.  However neither keeper had a difficult save to make until the last few minutes as both defences coped competently with everything that was thrown at them.  As the end of the game approached, Spurs began to exert real pressure on the home defence, forcing a number of corners.  The visitors' clearest chance came at the end of normal time when James Wills had a looping header well turned over by keeper Tom Hindmarsh.  At the other end, Alex Dockree somehow worked himself into a clear scoring position, but Bone saved well with his legs, and the game finished with no further score.

TUESDAY 20TH MARCH

Bournemouth Poppies 3-1 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Victoria Park

Alresford put up a brave showing, but an unbeaten away run that stretched back to mid-January was finally ended by a determined Poppies side who, on the night, had a bit more in the tank than their visitors.

With Lee Wood and Joe Wright joining Jamil Saleh on the treatment table, the Magpies were forced into a defensive reorganisation.  Their plight worsened when skipper Simon Everett was forced off injured with just 5 minutes gone.  But his replacement, Carl Steadman, slotted in well at right back and can look back on 85 minutes of valuable Wessex Premier experience with plenty of pride.

Bournemouth held the ascendancy throughout the first half, but made few good chances.  Max Cream found the Magpies' side netting at the end of a patient passing move, while Jack Swann turned and shot wide at the far post from an acute angle.  It was Alresford, though, who took the lead in first-half injury time when Mike McEnery sent Dean Cole racing away down the left.  Cole's return pass found McEnery in space, the big striker finding the net emphatically for the sixth time in eight games.

Max Frampton had to conjure up a good save early in the second half to prevent McEnery from doubling his tally, but Poppies were still on top.  They finally made their quality pay on 67 minutes when Jonathon Watt was left unmarked from a right-wing corner and he guided his header home.

Four minutes later Cream capitalised on a rare Danny Edwards miskick to smash the ball past Chris Waller in the Alresford goal.  And on 77 minutes Watt extended Poppies' lead by charging down Waller's attempted clearance and powering the loose ball home from outside the area.

Alresford were disappointed to lose, but can reflect that they have already done enough to ensure their Premier survival for another season.

Whitchurch United 5-2 Broughton (Andover Open Cup)

By KERRY MILLER at Longmeadow

A PAUL Coventry hat-trick eventually sent Whitchurch United through to the Andover League Open Cup Final on Tuesday night, but not before they had been given a major fright by Hampshire 2004 leaguers Broughton.

It took the mother of all tongue lashings from boss Jim Macey at half-time to rouse his team as they trailed 1-0 at the break and it got worse straight from the restart when Sam Deery made it 2-0 but once ‘Church found the forward gears the result was inevitable.

Macey gave the competition respect by fielding a strong side but Broughton played some fine football with Gary Lane dictating in the middle and after Luke Walker had blasted over from a good position Lane's long range effort was just wide. Lane then watched another effort deflected past the post but from Deery's corner the ball somehow dropped into the goal via two defenders on the near post with what was the last touch of the half.

Louis Macey was introduced at half-time and within ten seconds Coventry had lashed a shot wide but Broughton stormed back and Lane threaded a fine pass to Deery who finished well from 18 yards to make it 2-0. Whitchurch finally woke up and had a slice of luck themselves when Alex Dockree's cross sailed over Marcus Green and into the corner and on the hour Coventry's fierce free-kick from just on the edge of the box flew in to level things up.

As fitness began to tell the visitors' back line were stretched and substitute James Evans lobbed his own keeper from all of 30 yards three minutes later for an unfortunate own goal which knocked the stuffing out of them. Green then made the save of the night when tipping a Chris Smalley free-kick onto the bar and to their credit Broughton came back at the home side and a free-kick from Sam Flack was just wide.

They were still in with a shout until ten minutes from time then Coventry's pace and power brought two superb finishes to complete the treble and give the score a flattering look. It brings a final place against either Stockbridge or Michelmersh and Timsbury, who try again to play their semi-final on Tuesday, at the same time as ‘Church take on New Inn in the semi-final of the Basingstoke Senior Cup in what is becoming a fine season of cup football at Longmeadow.

SATURDAY 10TH MARCH

Brockenhurst 1-1 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Grigg Lane

This was a fair result to a lively game, though Spurs must be rueing the chances that they squandered, notably a missed second-half penalty.

Brockenhurst started off like a train and took the lead in the first minute when dozy defending by Spurs enabled striker Richard Morse to head in a left-wing cross.  For the next ten minutes, the New Forest side threatened to score every time they attacked, and only a fine save by Ryan Bone kept the deficit to one goal.  After that, Fleet gradually pulled themselves back into the game and began to create half-chances.  Midway through the half, Neil Selby restored equality with a close-range header after a game of head tennis in the box following a Tom Chillery corner.  Selby then might have given Spurs the lead, but he shot over after good work by Chillery.  The first half had been a breathless affair with both sides willing to attack and going near on a number of occasions.

After the break, Brock came out strongly just as in the first half, but this time Spurs' defence held out.  As the half developed, the pace of the game inevitably slowed, but both sides continued to create chances.  After an hour, Ben Sullivan barged Rinaldo Kumbakisaka unnecessarily in the area and the referee awarded a penalty.  However, Chillery changed his mind as he shot and Scott O'Rourke was able to dive to his left and smother the kick.  As the game drew to a close, Brockenhurst could see their promotion challenge beginning to fade if they dropped points and threw everything into attack for the last few minutes.  However, the Spurs defenders put their bodies on the line to prevent any further score, and when the home side finally beat Bone, the ball rebounded off the post and was safely cleared for a corner by James Wills.

Manager Andy Hunt said "We've deservedly held one of the strongest sides in the league, and with a bit more luck might even have taken all three points.  Tribute to the lads whose spirit was magnificent throughout."

TUESDAY 6TH MARCH

Alresford Town 1-0 Brading Town (Premier Division)

By KEITH CURTIS at Alrebury Park

In what can only be described as a poor home performance against opposition from the Isle of Wight, Alresford somehow secured a vital three points that elevated them to the lofty heights of 14th in the Wessex Premier table..
The highlight of the game was produced by Mike McEnery in the 40th minute. He was hemmed into the corner flag area by two Brading defenders, but somehow managed to extricate himself, and the ball, and proceeded into the box.  He finished at the near post past the visiting keeper for the game's only goal.
Other than that there was very little else to comment on - unless you mention misplaced passes by the home side and poor finishing by the visitors.  At the end of the game, however, Alresford had recorded a clean sheet and three points.
Brading returned to the Island wondering how they failed to get something out of the game, as they were the better team on the night.

Whitchurch United 0-1 Ringwood Town (Division One)

By KERRY MILLER at Longmeadow

A CATALOGUE of first half misses put paid to any chance of Whitchurch beating bogey side Ringwood on Tuesday as the New Forest side escaped with all three points.
Again the match was spoiled by niggle and dissent and deteriorated in the second half with both sides fortunate to end with 11 on the pitch. Whitchurch were again missing key players and when Paul Coventry limped off with a hamstring problem inside five minutes it already looked as if it was not to be their night. Dave Asker and Luke Walker both missed clear chances before Martin Edwards put Ringwood ahead on 12 minutes with what proved to be the winner.
Visiting keeper Josh Daley struggled and when he fumbled the ball straight to Walker's feet the chance was again spurned. Ali Brown was booked for a wild lunge on the half hour before Tom Hindmarsh parried a Dan Morrell drive then watched a Tom Yeats header go just over. Ringwood were playing some nice football on a bumpy pitch and both defences had difficulty and when Daley again dropped a Walker free-kick it was hooked in by Nick Jupp but the whistle had gone for a foul.
Just before the break Tom Pemberton's slide rule pass found Walker but he rolled the ball wide of the far post.
After the break Whitchurch were more positive and Jupp and substitute Andy Charsley went close but Ringwood regrouped and the game was broken up by a series of bookings for dissent and chances dried up for Whitchurch.
Jim Macey will hope to get back on track on Saturday at home to Warminster and at US Portsmouth on Monday night.

TUESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY

Alresford Town 1-2 Hayling United (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Alrebury Park

Alresford were left cursing themselves for their carelessness after this defeat against bottom-of-the-table Hayling left them with work still to do to ensure their Premier Division membership for next season.

The hosts had beaten Hayling 6-0 back in October, but had fielded an ineligible player, so the match had to be replayed.  And Hayling made them pay, snatching a lifeline in their own bid to stave off the drop.

The first half was full on misplaced passes and scrappy play.  Hayling had marginally the better of it against an Alresford team unchanged from Saturday's win at Romsey, but neither keeper had a great deal to do.  The visitors had a great chance when Chris Waller parried Lee Tigwell's shot, but Jack Salter-Vaile shot wide.

The second half was much more eventful.  Alresford should really have taken the lead when Lloyd Patilla could only divert Stuart Mott's hopeful shot straight to Mike McEnery.  But he unaccountably fired wide of an open goal.  That didn't seem to matter, though,  when, on 56 minutes, the hosts took the lead.  Danilio Cadete made a good run on the left and his cross found its way to Simon Everett just outside the box.  The Alresford skipper scored with a well-directed low shot, the bounce deceiving Patilla.

Two minutes later Mott almost added an identical goal, but Hayling were becoming more of a threat themselves.  They equalized on the hour mark after Darren Watts had forced a fingertip save from home keeper Chris Waller; from the resulting corner Alex Easton fired home through a ruck of players from the edge of the area.

The visitors continued to press, and on 77 minutes went 2-1 up through Tigwell after they had worked the ball down the right and it was knocked on for the burly midfielder to finish off.

Alresford sought to drag themselves back on terms again, but couldn't hit the proverbial barn door.  Cadete managed to find the inside of the post with one shot, and with Patilla on the ground the ball fell invitingly at the feet of Dan Strange just three yards out.  But a defender somehow threw himself in the way of Strange's shot and a colleague completed the clearance.

Alresford had strong penalty shouts on 84 minutes when the ref adjudged Scott Thornton's foul on Everett to have taken place outside the box.  The free-kick came to nothing.

The home side's last chance of snatching a point came on 89 minutes when sub Dean Cole's bright run through the middle ended with a neat pass to Cadete, free on the left.  But the wide man hooked his shot into the side netting, and Hayling were able to return home with three points and renewed hope of pulling away from the foot of the table.

Whitchurch United 7-0 Ludgershall Sports (Andover Open Cup)

By KERRY MILLER at Longmeadow

WHITCHURCH United cruised into the semi-final of the Andover League Open Cup on Tuesday with an emphatic victory over an ill-disciplined Ludgershall Sports side who finished the game with nine men.
Sports competed well enough for 15 minutes with Andy McGlashan going close with a header but once Nick Jupp had rolled the ball into an empty net following a defensive mistake and Luke Walker had chipped
Phil Antrobus from distance the result was never in doubt. Walker made it three from the penalty spot after Antrobus had brought down Paul Coventry to earn a booking and Sports heads were down,
despite Dave King's volleyed effort over. After the break Coventry made it 4-0 with another superb finish before at the other end Damien Spanswick fired a fierce shot which Tom Hindmarsh stopped at the second attempt. Walker completed his hat-trick with another tap-in then substitute Dan Shaughnessy made it 6-0. Spanswick, Mark Butcher and Nathan Strong were all then booked for dissent as Sports lost their discipline before Spanswick's fly hack brought a second yellow, Strong following seconds later with a straight red for comments to the linesman. Shaughnessy completed the scoring on the final whistle.

SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARY

Alton Town 2-0 Brading Town (Premier Division)

By JIM MCKELL at The Bass Sports Ground

Two goals from Steve Brown ensured a well deserved victory for the Brewers against an energetic Brading side who had gained a narrow and late victory when the sides met earlier in the season on the Island.

Brown's first was ten minutes before the break when he outjumped the keeper to meet a deep cross from the left. Midway through the second half Simba Mlambo's persistence in getting between two (or was it three?) defenders close to the byeline and getting in his low cross allowed Brown to prod home his second before retiring with a foot injury with ten minutes remaining.

Manager Kevin Smith appeared to be going with a 3 - 2 - 3 - 2 formation with Jason Grenham and Tom Walsh protecting the back three of Mack Phillips (retaining his place after a powerful performance against Brockenhurst in midweek) , Nearly new boy Nick Tayler and old hand Lee McGavin and allowing Scot Sanderson to spearhead the midfield with Ian Dyer and Simba Mlambo on the flanks and needing to defend as well as attack. Certainly it produced a number of chances that weren't taken or well defended but, as is so often the case, it took a superb left hand save from Brewers' keeper Craig Atkinson to divert a close range shot early in the second half which would have brought the Islanders back into the game.

Brown's second goal sealed the game with keeper Atkinson not being again seriously troubled as Alton reverted to a back four to seal the points with the introduction of Rob Haig and Alex Lowley.

Blackfield & Langley 3-0 New Milton Town (Premier Division)

By MATT RICHBELL at the Gang Warily Stadium

Glenn Burnett and John McFarland's return to BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY with NEW MILTON TOWN ended in disappointment as the Watersiders ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. Blackfield & Langley were the better side throughout the first half and eventually took the lead shortly before half-time when Tom Settle blasted into the back of the net from close range. New Milton started the second half brightly and Alex Baldacchino could have equalised just before the hour mark after good play from Callum Tanner, but his effort went just past the post. Warren Hunt made the game safe with 17 minutes remaining and substitute Matt Stear made it 3-0 when he arrived unmarked in the penalty box and volleyed home from close range. Before then, New Milton had come close to a consolation goal, but Ian Proctor fired over inside the penalty box after some quick footwork had earned him the opportunity.

Fleet Spurs 2-1 Cowes Sports (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Kennels Lane

Cowes started off much the stronger and took the lead after five minutes when their top scorer Dominic Burbidge fired home from close range after hesitancy in the Fleet defence.  Although both teams had their moments, the visitors remained overall on top until the break, closing Spurs down quickly and looking dangerous whenever they attacked.

The start of the second half started quarter of an hour late after assistant referee Chris Williams had been taken ill.  The Isle of Wight team soon had a penalty, Dave Richards bringing down visiting skipper Gareth Bricknell in the box, but Ryan Bone made a brilliant save, diving to his left to block Burbidge's spot kick.  Fleet came more into the game, and twenty minutes from the end, keeper Christopher Norris could only block Tom Chillery's free kick and brother James scrambled the ball home.  The game looked over with both sides seeming ready to settle for a point, until Tom Chillery's persistence gained Fleet a penalty as Norris brought him down in the box.  He made no mistake from the spot with what turned out to be the last kick of the game.

Romsey Town 0-1 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at the Bypass Ground

Mike McEnery's goal eight minutes from time brought Alresford a third consecutive league win - a feat that had several committee members scratching their heads to try and remember the last time they had achieved such a feat.
A bumpy Bypass Ground pitch made it difficult to play quality football, and a scrappy game developed.  From the early stages it seemed that a single goal might be enough to settle the issue, and that proved to be the case.  On 82 minutes McEnery latched on to a long ball forward, outpacing his marker, and did superbly to lob the awkwardly bouncing ball over Matt Brown in the home goal and into the net.
Alresford managers Tim Cole and Danny Robinson had been forced into two changes from the eleven who had beaten Blackfield & Langley; Danny Edwards returned in place of the injured Chris Manning at centre-back, while striker Dean Cole was away, Stuart Mott taking his place up front.
Alresford had the better of the first half thanks to the industry of Simon Everett and Jamil Saleh in central midfield, but neither keeper was seriously tested. 
After the break it was Romsey who held the upper hand, with Ben White working hard to make himself openings up front.  But Chris Waller made a couple of crucial saves for the visitors while the back four of Edwards, Lee Wood, Adie de la Nougerede and Joe Wright all performed with commitment and quality to give their keeper a relatively easy afternoon.
Midway through the second half the Magpies gave a debut to striker Brett Denham, recently signed from Whitchurch United.  He showed a few glimpses of what he can do as Alresford played mainly on the break; with plenty of pace up front that suited them well. 
Once Alresford got in front they were content to run the clock down, and were delighted to pick up a win against an outfit that looks set to finish in the top six.

TUESDAY 21ST FEBRUARY

Alresford Town 2-1 Blackfield & Langley (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Alrebury Park

Alresford won for the second time in four days to ease their relegation fears courtesy of a couple of flashes of brilliance from striker Mike McEnery.

Blackfield didn't seem to be in any danger when, on 16 minutes, home keeper Chris Waller launched a long punt forward.  The ball bounced to Danilio Cadete wide on the left, and he made ground before crossing low to McEnery inside the box.  "Dookie", with his back to goal, turned on a sixpence and was hauled down by his marker; the referee awarded the penalty.  Dean Cole tucked the ball away from the spot to give the Magpies the lead.

Up until that point Blackfield had, if anything, appeared slightly the brighter of two sides who worked hard but were producing little in the way of quality.  But Alresford, now ahead, grew in confidence and Ash Ledger's shot was blocked as they searched for a second goal.

That nearly arrived on 42 minutes, when McEnery produced a fine dribble into the box.  But his shot lacked conviction and Luke Hutchings was able to save easily.

The second half continued much in the same vein as the first had finished.  Blackfield launched long balls forward for their speedy forwards to chase.  But the Magpies succeeded in shackling the dangerous Warren Hunt, and apart from a couple of goalmouth scrambles Waller had little to do.

The second goal came on 64 minutes from a superb counter-attack.  Jamil Saleh accepted Ledger's short pass before setting McEnery free on the right.  The big striker burst through two tackles on route to the bye-line, where he had time to look up and find Saleh.  The Magpies midfielder, running into space, was able to pick his spot and slot the ball into the bottom corner of Hutchings' net.

Cadete and Dean Cole took a break in the latter stages, subs Cellyn Crook and Dean Smith replacing them.  With just one now up front Alresford came under heavy pressure, but withstood the bombardment well as the defence, marshalled by the excellent Lee Wood, mopped up everything.  This was Wood's first appearance at Arlebury Park following his recent acquisition, and the Magpies have now banked six points from the two games which he has played.

After a number of stoppages there was always going to be plenty of added time at the end.  Alresford gave their long-suffering supporters a dose of their customary anxiety when, on 91 minutes, a shot looped up off of Wood's shoulder and over Waller to bounce into the net.  Blackfield redoubled their efforts, but the home defence held firm and the three points enabled them to leapfrog their visitors in the table.

SATURDAY 18TH FEBRUARY

Horndean 0-2 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Fiveheads Park

A wet, windy and cold Five Heads Park didn't seem very inviting for this vital basement clash, but the visitors came away the victors thanks to a goal in each half from Ashley Ledger.

Horndean have suffered recently from being unable to finish their chances, and their fortunes didn't change for this game.  But the visitors returned from their enforced weather break with a gutsy performance.

The opener came in th 18yth minute following good work down the left by Danilio Cadete and Mike McEnery, and Ledger finished from the edge of the box aided by a deflection off a defender which wrong-footed the home keeper. For the home side Jamal Fenelon was proving to be a handful for the visitors' defence, but fortunately his finishing did not match up to his stature or reputation.

Ledger increased Alresford's lead on 64 minutes when good work down the left by Joe Wright enabled Cadete to get a strike on goal. Simon Howard in the home goal parried the shot, but Ledger buried the rebound from close range.

Horndean came close to reducing the deficit on a couple of occasions, but were unsuccessful and the home side left for home with three vital points.

Warminster Town 2-2 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Weymouth Street

Warminster Town 2 Fleet Spurs 2 (Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Division 1)
Spurs are becoming draw specialists with their third in successive games.  This time they got out of jail with two late goals after all appeared lost.

The first half was remarkably dull.  There's nothing more worth saying about it.

Fortunately, the game was much brighter after the break with both sides playing better.  Ryan Bone soon had to make a good save at his near post from a goalbound drive from Oliver Worts.  Ten minutes into the half, James Vincent found himself unmarked on the left following a good Town move down the right and made no mistake with a powerful drive that gave Bone no chance.  Following the goal, Warminster's confidence visibly grew, though five minutes later Adam Aimable was unable to take advantage of a clear sight of goal, rolling the ball past the post.  After seventy minutes there was an action replay of the first goal as Louis Sparey received the ball in an unmarked position to the left of the goal.  He hammered the ball home and that was two nil.

Ten minutes before the end of normal time, Dave Richards, who had moved from central defence into attack, hit a well-placed shot just inside the far post with keeper Adam Collington helpless.  Game on, said I optimistically.  Five minutes afterwards, this optimism looked misplaced as Sparey rounded Bone but the home striker was unable to beat the Spurs defenders on the line.  Then in the last minute of normal time, James Wills was brought down in the box and prodigal son Tom Chillery equalised coolly from the spot.  There was still time for chances at either end, but the game finished with no further score, leaving Fleet delighted and relieved and Warminster crestfallen.

FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY

Totton & Eling 4-0 Alton Town (Premier Division)

By MATT RICHBELL at Little Testwood Farm

Totton & Eling produced a fine display to beat Alton Town 4-0 at Little Testwood Farm on Friday night. The Millers were in devastating form in front of goal, scoring four times and even missing a penalty. The hosts started brightly and the visitors were given their first warning after less than a minute when Craig Atkinson was forced into a save. Just two minutes after that the deadlock was already broken when some poor defending from the Brewers gifted Steve Jenkin an opportunity which he fired in the bottom corner to put the hosts ahead. After quarter of an hour, Totton & Eling doubled their advantage. A deep cross was sent into the Alton Town penalty box and Callum Oliver looped his header into the path on the onrushing Terry Cox who smashed his effort past Atkinson and into the roof of the net. The visitors finally began to get into the game and they forced Webb into a save in the Totton and Eling goal after 20 minutes. However, just when it appeared that the Brewers were applying some pressure, Totton and Eling were awarded a penalty, which resulted in Steve Brown getting booked. Steve Marwood took the spot kick, but his penalty was saved superbly by Atkinson who dived low to his left to beat the effort away. Alton used this save as a springboard and came to life with Steve Brown coming close. However, any hopes of a comeback were put to bed five minutes before half-time when a long ball from the Totton & Eling defence caused chaos amongst the Alton back line and Craig Feeney finished superbly from well outside the box, lobbing the stranded Craig Atkinson. Both sides had shots saved just before half-time but the visitors went in 3-0 up. Marwood and Oliver both came close to making it four early in the second half and it was four after 65 minutes when Steve Marwood had a volley from a well-worked corner, cleared off the line, and when the ball came back into the box, Terry Feasey's header gave Atkinson no chance. Steve Brown squandered a glorious opportunity for the hosts late on when he rounded the goalkeeper, only to see his effort cleared off the line. Substitute Dan Steer had an opportunity to make it five when he rose unmarked, but he headed Jon Brock's cross just past the post. Alton substitute Simba Mlambo came close twice late on and caused problems for the Millers defence, but they held firm to keep a clean sheet and secure an impressive 4-0 home win.

TUESDAY 14TH FEBRUARY

Bournemouth Poppies 1-3 Winchester City (Premier Division)

By ANDY MITCHELL at Victoria Park

BOURNEMOUTH Poppies suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of league leaders Winchester City on Tuesday - but not before they had come close to staging an unlikely comeback at Victoria Park.
The visitors had a two-goal lead at the break and looked firmly in control before Jack Swann's strike 15 minutes from time handed Poppies a lifeline. And it took a last-gasp effort from substitute Mark Lilley to seal City's win.
City took the lead with their first attack of note on 12 minutes when Adam Roberts threaded a ball through for leading marksman Jamie White to prod home.
Chances were few and far between but Max Cream wasted a presentable opening after Luke Ingram's through ball and City soon made Poppies pay when Andrew White finished Charlie Smeeton's precision pass two minutes before the break.
The match appeared to be petering out until Swann rounded off a slick passing move for Poppies by drilling a low shot to Anderson's left and the contest picked up pace in the closing stages.
Poppies went close to a leveller through Kane Daysh but were caught cold in stoppage time with Lilley bursting down the right and applying a simple finish.
 

SATURDAY 4TH FEBRUARY

Team Solent 3-0 Warminster Town (Division One)

By GARY DAY at Test Park

With the freezing conditions bringing postponements at all points of the Wessex area it was heartening to know that it would be ‘game on' at Test Park.  The question was - would the match be played on grass or on the adjacent 3G surface?  Referee André Linford arrived and it was ‘thumbs up' - the game was on and took place on the main arena.  There was no doubt that this was the right decision as the grass surface played perfectly well throughout.

Promotion-hunting Team Solent took a second minute lead when Luke Williams charged through two Warminster defenders to face the keeper and bury the ball into the net.  This did prove to be the only goal of an entertaining first half where chances were created at both ends.  Williams forced visiting keeper Scott Lewis to a good save and Will Tickle knocked the ball one side of a Town defender and went round the other and drew a further good save from Lewis.  Solent had been dictating the game but Warminster had a good spell late in the half.   A fine move saw them put the ball in the Solent net but James Vincent was just offside and a 20 yard shot from Lee Davidson just cleared the home bar.  Half-time: 1-0.

Into the ‘chillier' second half and Warminster tried hard to level as a firm shot by Tom Clifford was met by a smart save from home keeper Tom Taylor.  Davidson was desperately unlucky when he got his head to a free-kick and watched the ball float agonisingly past the far post of the Solent goal.  Clifford then had a good chance for Warminster but he could only head straight at Taylor.  Within a minute of that opportunity, and the 70th of the game, Leo Churms added to the Solent lead when Williams passed the ball inside from the right, Tom Hoskins allowed it to run on and the Solent ‘goal machine' calmly took the ball to the keeper, and slotted home for a fine goal.  Churms got a further goal when he latched onto a Mike Wheeler header and sublimely lobbed the ball over Lewis and into the net and it was 3-0 to Solent on 78 minutes.

By this point the weather was getting decidedly colder but the Solent lads entertained the crowd with an exhibition of attacking football in the latter stages as Churms twice and Hoskins had chances to extend the lead but, in the end the 3-0 scoreline was about right.  The brave souls that witnessed the game may have been cold but could feel as though they had watched a good quality match which was sportingly played by both teams.  They'll have to wait for another day if they want to see a Sydenhams League match on anything other than a grass surface though!!

TUESDAY 31ST JANUARY

Fleet Spurs 1-0 Tadley Calleva (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Kennels Lane

Experts say that at the highest level, there's a magic about evening games that transcends anything seen in daylight.  Experience shows that this axiom doesn't apply at Wessex League level, and tonight's game was no exception.  After a promising start, the game got worse as the evening got colder, and both sets of supporters were glad to get back to the warmth of home.  Spurs' fans were the happier as they had gained the three points that they deserved on the day.

From the outset, Adam Aimable's long throws were a threat to the Tadley defence, and after 10 minutes Chris Musgrove gave Fleet the lead with a flicked header on the near post from an Aimable bomb.  Five minutes later, 16-year-old Matt Cooper should really have doubled the lead after a fine run and unselfish pass from Musgrove, but somehow the youngster hit the bar.  Midway through the half, Peter White deflected a Tadley shot into the Fleet net, but the 'goal' was ruled out for handball.

That was just about as good as it got, as for the rest of the game both teams cancelled each other out.  Fleet had more of the possession, but were unable to turn it into goals.  The second half was devoid of much real incident, though Cooper just failed to reach a flick-on by Musgrove when any touch should have led to a goal. 

Manager Andy Hunt is pleased that while not playing at their best, Spurs are undefeated since Christmas. 

SATURDAY 28TH JANUARY

Alresford Town 1-2 Romsey Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Arlebury Park

Two first half goals proved decisive as Alresford slumped to a second successive defeat against a buoyant Romsey side who lived up to their high league placing with a well-deserved three points.  Alresford gave striker Stuart Mott his first start since early October, while Romsey fielded ex-Magpie Chris Morris in central midfield.

The visitors were quickest out of the blocks, and took the lead on 15 minutes when Chris Hall broke past the home defence through the inside right channel.  His precision pass gave the lively Ryan Long the chance to side-foot home from around the penalty spot, and he made no mistake.

Romsey doubled their lead on 22 minutes when Danny Edwards uncharacteristically missed the chance to clear a bouncing left-wing cross, and Hall hooked the ball into the top left corner of the net with his back to goal.

Alresford belatedly woke up after that, with Chris Manning and Simon Everett prompting and probing from midfield.  But Chris Waller in the home goal was by far the busier of the two keepers, and kept his side alive with several good stops, particularly with his feet.

The Magpies played better in the second half, but by and large their finishing was wayward, and Romsey keeper Matt Brown was rarely tested.  The exception came on 56 minutes when Dean Cole's pass found Mott on the corner of the penalty area, and he fired in a perfect dipping shot first-time that cleared Brown and went into the top left corner of the Romsey net.

Encouraged, Alresford redoubled their efforts, but were unable to make a second breakthrough.  In fact Romsey looked the more likely to score again, but Graham Bird thwarted sub Macs Sampays by clearing off the line when Waller was beaten, and the game finished with no further addition.

Pewsey Vale 1-1 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at the Recreation Ground

This was the second consecutive draw for Spurs.  The game was disappointing, with both sides guilty of giving the ball away too frequently.  Overall, the result was fair, as neither team was capable of doing enough to deserve victory on the day.

At the start of the game, Spurs had more of the possession, and Vale's opening goal came from out of the blue after quarter of an hour when Jack Hopper shot from more 35 yards and keeper Ryan Bone could only watch as the ball dipped just under the bar.  Neither side created many other chances before half term, though ten minutes before half-time home keeper Louie La Touche had to be alert to turn a goal-bound Sam Cobbett drive over the bar.

There was little change after the break, though Pewsey had more of the possession.  Just before the hour mark, Spurs' equalised with a goal that - like their hosts' - was somewhat against the run of the play.  After a slick passing movement down the left, Chris Musgrove hit a left-footed drive from just outside the box which beat La Touche at the near post.  Pewsey put the Spurs defence under pressure towards the end.  However, they defence held firm, though they have to thank Bone, who made a fine save from a free kick from Ricky Franklin that looked destined for the top corner of the net.  The game ended with no addition to the score and with both camps feeling a grudging satisfaction with the result.

TUESDAY 24TH JANUARY

Team Solent 1-0 Cowes Sports (Division One)

By GARY DAY at Test Park

Both sides are very much in the hunt for promotion but the Yachtsmen, with games in hand on the leading group, were defeated by a late goal to return to the Island feeling disappointed not to have got at least a point.

Cowes won a free-kick in the opening minute and home keeper Tom Taylor did well to push Dominic Burbidge's effort over the bar.  Play was competitive but neither side quite found that vital ingredient and failed to create any decent chances.  Cowes were the better of the sides and looked the more likely to score.  Their best opportunities came when Josh Appell was off balance and shot wide from a Gareth Bricknell corner and Burbidge latched onto a through ball but Taylor saved his angled effort.  Team Solent's best chance of the first half came late on but Will Tickle's effort from a wide position was comfortably tipped over by Chris Norris.

Chances proved harder to create in the second half although a low 35 yard Mike Wheeler effort went narrowly wide and a Scott Kinge header was also wide, both for the students.  With the game now in the latter stages, a Tickle shot was headed off the line by Cowes defender Max Draper and the same player then headed another dangerous ball clear from the next attack to keep the score at 0-0.  However, a goal did come, as in the 87th minute, a needless corner was given away by the visitors.  The flag-kick was half-cleared but Tickle got the ball wide on the left and crossed to the back post where Harry Jeffries, who had stayed up in the penalty box, headed home.  The goal produced a sudden injection of urgency into the game but Solent held on to perhaps pick up a win that might have been a shade fortuitous on overall play but one that takes them into second place in the Division 1 table.

SATURDAY 21ST JANUARY

Andover New Street 0-0 US Portsmouth (Division One)

By MATT RICHBELL at Foxcotte Park

ANDOVER NEW STREET drew 0-0 at home to US PORTSMOUTH. An impeccably preserved minute's silence at Foxcotte Park in memory of Jason Goddard was preceded by a cagey start to this top-half clash. Both sides traded strong challenges and fluent spells of passing without either creating an end product. On the half hour mark, the forces' side came close when they had an effort tipped over the crossbar. Not long afterwards and it was US Portsmouth who again came close when their full back fired his effort beyond the far post.  Half-time 0-0.
New Street started the second half brightly and Nic Oliver had a effort caught. The visitors were next threaten when New Street keeper Craig Sams also made a save. On the hour New Street had an ideal opportunity to take the leader. George Dallarda was brought down, the referee signalled advantage and the ball was squared by Isaac Sedu for Danny Sullivan, but he blazed open with the goal at his mercy from only a few yards out. Five minutes later and once again it was the Dallarda and Sedu combination causing problems for the visitors with this time Sedu having an effort saved by the visiting keeper. From the resulting corner, Stuart Anderson rose above the visitors defence, but his glancing header went wide. Moments later and again New Street had an opportunity when a long ball found Dallarda one-on-one with Peter Houkes, but he cleared both the keeper and the crossbar. With 15 minutes left, George Dallarda once again retained possession and drew in the visitors' defence before squaring it for Danny Sullivan, whose effort was well saved by Houkes in the visitors' goal. Late in the game, the visitors made a foray forward and what appeared to be a cross almost looped into the goal, but it dropped just wide of the hosts' goal.
Both sides pushed for a winner late on but the defences stood strong and the game finished 0-0. THANKS TO ROBERT HAYNES FOR THE IMAGES.

   

Fleet Spurs 0-0 East Cowes Vics (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Kennels Lane

This was a frustrating game with defences on top throughout and the quality of play marred by a blustery wind.  Overall a draw was a fair result, though Spurs had the clearer chances.
The first chance of the game came from an Adam Aimable long throws which Fleet skipper Chris Musgrove headed against the inside of the post, the ball rebounding to safety.  The first half was very competitive, with each side closing the other down well and preventing and neither side having the spark to create clear-cut scoring opportunities. 
The game continued in the same vein after the break, with play becoming more ragged as the ever-increasing inevitability of a goalless outcome frustrated both sets of players.  Both sides were reduced to speculative long shots, none of which threatened the goal.  Both keepers had little to do, though Musgrove got the ball into the net but goal was chalked off as the referee awarded a foul for a push, and towards the end Spurs' skipper had a goalbound header turned smartly round the post by Jordan Brownrigg.

Lymington Town 1-0 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at the Recreation Ground

Alresford's unbeaten run of four matches in league and cup came to an end in an untidy game at a windy Lymington Sports Ground.  There was little quality football in this clash of two struggling sides, and even the only goal of the game had an element of farce about it.
Ex-Magpie James Davis started at centre-back for Lymington, while Alresford's new signing Danny Barker spent the afternoon on the subs' bench.  Alresford missed Mike McEnery, Carl Saunders and Steve Llewellyn - all injured - and although the defence of de la Nougerede, Wright, Edwards and Bird all performed well the lack of firepower going forward meant that all their efforts were in vain.
There seemed little danger on 29 minutes when the Magpies conceded a free-kick just outside the corner of the penalty area, and Danny Cox's flighted kick seemed to be going well wide.  But the ball swerved in the strong wind to bounce in at the far post with keeper Chris Waller and his defenders bewildered as to how the ball had crept in.
Neither side created much in front of goal.  Alresford's goal threat stemmed mainly from winger Danilio Cadete, but home right-back Adam Tomasso did well to keep the Magpies' danger-man in check. The tempo of the game increased as time wore on, and as the Magpies left gaps at the back pushing forward, the home side might have snatched a second goal.

TUESDAY 17TH JANUARY

Eastleigh 3-2 Romsey Town (Hampshire Senior Cup)

By MATT RICHBELL at the Silverlake Stadium

In the Hampshire Senior Cup Quarter-Finals on Tuesday night, a Ryan Long brace wasn't enough for ROMSEY TOWN who put up a valiant effort but went down 3-2 away at Blue Square Bet South side, Eastleigh. The score was 0-0 at half-time at the Silverlake Stadium, despite Eastleigh fielding a strong side including Mitchell Nelson, Chris Flood, Mike Green, Andy Forbes, Jamie Brown, Damien Scannell, Richard Gillespie, Danny Smith, etc... However, the Spitfires took the lead just two minutes after half-time when Chris Flood opened the scoring. Ryan Long levelled proceedings with a good finish only for Eastleigh to regain the lead through former Winchester City player, Jamie Brown, on 74 minutes. At this point Eastleigh had made all three subs and Jordace Holder Spooner then got injured to leave them with ten men. Mitchell Nelson then scored following an indirect free kick to make it 3-1. Ryan Long reduced the arrears late on and even thought he'd levelled only for that goal to be ruled out for offside and that disallowed goal was followed by the final whistle, sealing Eastleigh's place in the semi-finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup.

Tadley Calleva 1-2 Alresford Town (North Hants Senior Cup Semi-Final)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Barlows Park

Dean Cole's double strike - the second of which came in extra-time - edged Alresford through to the North Hants Senior Cup final after a tense match at a bitterly cold Barlows Park. Although Tadley are currently languishing in the lower reaches of the Wessex 1 table they showed passion and commitment to match their Premier Division visitors throughout the 90 minutes. It was a scrappy game, and although Alresford enjoyed plenty of possession Calleva had the sharper cutting edge and the Magpies were indebted to keeper Chris Waller for some alert saves. Alresford thought they'd won it when, on 85 minutes, Jamil Saleh's cross found Cole, who volleyed home emphatically from the six-yard line.  But Tadley piled on the pressure, and Daniel Vickers nodded in the equaliser in the third minute of injury time after James Winfield had unselfishly returned a cross to the far post. Cole's second, when Saleh's shot was deflected to him in the fourth minute of extra time, probed to be the winner.  Tadley piled on the pressure, and Alresford were reduced to ten men when Danny Edwards was shown a second yellow, but the visitors somehow held on to book their third appearance in the North Hants Senior Cup in three years. 

MONDAY 16TH JANUARY

Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1-2 Totton & Eling (Premier Division)

By KERRY MILLER at Western Way

A Callum Oliver goal just before the hour gave Totton and Eling victory at Western Way on Monday night and put a dent in Bemerton's championship aspirations.
It was no more than the visitors deserved as they took the game to Ian Chalk's side from the start and led on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot, skipper Steve Marwood converting. Both sides contributed to an entertaining first half where Totton and Eling were the hungrier for opening 20 minutes and Matt Harriman and Craig Feeney both went close either side of the half hour mark before Feeney escapped and netted only to be brought back by the offside flag. Jack Slade had a long range effort dealt with by Steve Mowthorpe but Totton and Eling were given a break when Dan Metcalfe was adjudged to have fouled Marwood who scored from the spot despite slipping over inthe process. Graham Mankin succumbed to injury at the break and it took just three minutes for below strength Bemmy to find the equaliser as a corner was not
cleared and as it bounced around the six yard area Kane O'Keefe got the last touch. However, Totton were not to be denied and just before the hour the home defence failed to deal with a bouncing ball and Oliver nipped in to bury a right foot shot past young keeper Oliver Bachelor. Substitute Seb Dawes went close twice in the same attack late on but the Southampton side held on comfortably in the end.

SATURDAY 14TH JANUARY

Blackfield & Langley 0-0 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Gang Warily

Resolute defence and wayward finishing both played a part as Alresford extended their unbeaten run to three matches with a creditable draw at chilly Gang Warily.
The game got off to a scrappy start, with a couple of stoppages due to injuries.  The first good chance came along on 8 minutes when Jamil Saleh's pump forward was missed by a Blackfield defender and his keeper John Howard, leaving Danilio Cadete in the clear.  But the Magpies wingman shot into the side netting.
Simon Everett then threaded a pass through to Ash Ledger, but he fired high and wide, while at the other end Warren Hunt blazed his shot over the Alresford bar from a Nathan Lynch long throw.
Blackfield, with a considerable height advantage, looked dangerous at dead-ball situations but Alresford looked to take control of the midfield and an entertaining tussle developed.  There were alarm bells for the Magpies, though, on 40 minutes, when centre-back Steve Llewellyn - injured back at the start of the match - limped off.  Fortunately for the visitors, replacement Chris Manning, nominally a midfielder, did admirably alongside the reliable Danny Edwrads to ensure that Chris Waller was not overworked.
After the break Ledger hit the bar with a shot from an acute angle that beat Howard hands down, but with chances at both ends it was still anyone's game.
Probably the best chance of the whole match came on 75 minutes when Alresford broke from defence, the speedy Cadete in possession on the left.  His scorching run took him to the edge of the home penalty area, but with two team-mates unmarked to his right Cadete elected to shoot and Howard got his side out of trouble with a fine save.
Blackfield still threatened, with Waller finger-tipping Martin Harris's drive to safety and Shaun Newman seeing a shot deflected wide after good work by Lynch on the right.  But the final whistle was blown with the game still goal-less, the first time this season that Alresford have been involved in a 0-0 draw.

 

Downton 0-2 Winchester City (Premier Division)

By STEVE WOODGATE at Wick Lane

Winchester City manager Guy Butters praised his squad's versatility as his injury-hit side defeated Downton thanks to two poacher goals from talisman Jamie White.By Steven Woodgate
City moved three points clear at the top of Wessex Premier Division, but had to play the game without star midfielder Tom Dunford, who fractured his wrist in the midweek victory over Horndean and is expected to be out for several weeks. White himself is suffering from a slight groin strain and missing long-term absentees Dan Reeve, Mike Byrne and Alek Przespolewski didn't stop City's squad adapting to stretch their unbeaten run to 17 games - including 15 wins. Butters seemed happy how his side is coping despite the injuries and thought Dom Allen played well in an unfamiliar centre midfielder role.  "Downton's a difficult place to come and they aren't a bad side. We had to be on guard to make sure we didn't slip up here," said the ex-Pompey man.  "Today we showed how good our squad can be. Players are getting back to where we want to be, Taz (Adam Roberts) is getting fitter and fitter and others are staking claims for starting positions. "Dunford out is a big miss, but Allen came in today and did well. Again it shows how important it is to have a good squad. "The attitude and hard work is faultless." The Citizens started to make inroads into Downton's defence after only five minutes when Graham Lindsey set up Charlie Smeeton who fired across goal, narrowly missing the upright.  Captain Leigh Mills was left unmarked but couldn't direct his header on target and shortly after, White saw his header cleared off the line as City turned up the heat late in the first half.  The second half was much the same story with Islander Smeeton wasting a great opportunity when he headed tamely at Charlie Aldridge when he had the whole goal to aim for.  It did not matter though as City finally found their breakthrough. White, with a quick turn, was brought down by ex-Winchester City man Josh Thomas in the 18 yard area and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. The striker brushed himself off and banished the memories of his penalty miss against Horndean in the previous game, to slot home comfortably. Ex-Saint White doubled his side's lead with his 27th league strike in 16 games, taking over Romsey Town's Simon De'Ath as the league's top goalscorer in the process. A long ball by the impressive Danny King was not cut out and White held off three challenges to blast past Aldridge.  Substitute Mark Lilley went close but saw his effort go narrowly wide and Lindsey, low on confidence, saw his strike brilliantly saved by Aldridge.  There was even time for a debut for Joe Maxwell, who has been training with  City since leaving Bashley.  Owner Paul McCarthy labelled White the ‘perfect professional' and ‘unplayable' as he saw his team go three points clear at the top. "Jamie attitude is just fantastic, he's been receiving lots of interest, and based on today's game it's hardly surprising "People have came down from a host of league clubs, including some very big Championship clubs and I certainly hope he continues his goal scoring form. "Jamie's still has a slight groin strain and is nowhere near his best, so we have plenty to look forward to."

Fleet Spurs 5-2 Hythe & Dibden (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Kennels Lane

Spurs continued their successful 2012 with a comfortable victory against Hythe & Dibden.  This was particularly pleasing, as they had already suffered two heavy defeats this season at their visitors' Solent-side ground.
Fleet started off like a train, with skipper Chris Musgrove making inroads down the left into the Hythe defence.  They had also threatened with Adam Aimable's Rory Delap-like long throws, and the opening goal came after seven minutes when a mis-timed header a Hythe defender from a more looping Aimable throw by deceived keeper Steve Moss and lobbed gently into the far corner.  Five minutes later, Musgrove again broke down the left and was unlucky to see his powerful cross-shot rebound to safety off the inside of the far post.  Two minutes later, the same post soon kinder to Spurs, as James Wills was allowed an unobstructed run from well inside his own half to the edge of the Hythe box, and this time the rebound sent his low shot into the back of the net.  At this stage, Fleet were threatening to score with every attack and only brave defence by Hythe, poor finishing and some good luck kept the score down.  However, Hythe came back in to the game and after half an hour, Sean Stone reduced the arrears after home keeper Ryan Bone was caught off his line, the visitors' skipper scoring low into an empty net with a cool shot.  Half time came with Spurs feeling that a one-goal lead was inadequate reward for their first-half performance.
After the interval, the game continued in the same vein, with Fleet creating and missing numerous chances and keeper Moss saving the visitors with a number of saves, notably when he tipped a goal-bound Musgrove drive over the bar.  At the same time, Hythe's threats on the break prevented any feeling of complacency by Spurs.  Eventually after 75 minutes, Musgrove met a Wills corner with a far-post header to score the goal his performance justified.  Two minutes later, Aimable turned on the edge of the box and rifled a drive past the helpless Moss into the top of the net.  Five minutes from the end, Alex Pickering volleyed home a clever ball from sub Neil Selby, and there was just time for Stone to claim a consolation goal as Spurs' defence appeared to doze off, believing the game to be well won.

TUESDAY 10TH JANUARY

Romsey Town 1-0 New Milton Town (League Cup 3rd Round)

By MATT RICHBELL at the Bypass Ground

Tonight at The Bypass Ground it finished ROMSEY TOWN 1-0 NEW MILTON TOWN, however, the scoreline does not reflect the game. New Milton Town produced an excellent display away from home and created numerous chances but were unable to convert any of these. The visitors started brightly with make-shift full-back Tom Donaldson coming close from fully 25 yards. Donaldson, a former Romsey Town, Winchester City, Alresford Town and Blackfield and Langley winger/forward is currently occupying the full-back berth due to New Milton's new dual-registration signings Alex Moth and Harrison Gilkes from AFC Bournemouth playing higher up the pitch. Donaldson's early effort spearheaded New Milton's impressive start and Paul Preston was the next to come close for the visitors when he cut inside his man and dragged his effort wide of the near post. Romsey then forrayed forward and won a free kick. Simon De'Ath took aim from the set piece, but his effort was straight at David Rowe in the Linnets goal. Several minutes later and it was New Milton back in the ascendency when Alex Moth twice came close. Midway through the first half and the deadlock was broken. Gareth Batchelor attacked New Milton from the left and his delivery was converted by Romsey Town's new dual-registration signing, Liam Robinson. Robinson has signed from Blue Square Bet South side, Eastleigh, to cover for Ben White whilst he goes abroad and White was a spectator amongst the crowd at the Bypass and looked on as his replacement opened the scoring. Moments later and Romsey had a glorious opportunity to double their lead, but Simon De'Ath was denied by a smart stop from Rowe. On the half-hour, Alex Baldacchino, a thorne in Romsey's side throughout, robbed the defence and fired over the bar from the corner of the box. Alex Moth had another effort late in the first-half but the Romsey keeper saved well. Late in the first half there was a moment of controversy when Ross Gregory's arm appeared to catch Alex Baldacchino in the face, and the Town skipper was yellow-carded for the offence. New Milton started the second half well and Alex Moth had a free kick saved. Paul preston crossed just before the hour and found Alex Moth unmarked, but the AFC Bournemouth youngster headed inches over for the visitors. Alex Baldacchino again came close with 20 minutes remaining when his effort went just past the far post. With thirteen minutes remaining, the Romsey Town keeper made a point blank save and with five minutes later, Darren Curtis' goalbound flick was headed straight at the Romsey keeper by Baldacchino. Romsey's man-of-the-match goalkeeper made one final save at the end when Alex Moth had an effort from distance saved and Romsey Town blew a huge sigh of relief on the referees final whistle and celebrated a win which sees them book a quarter-final tie with Christchurch at Hurn Bridge.

TUESDAY 27TH DECEMBER

Bournemouth Poppies 0-0 Christchurch (Premier Division)

By MATT RICHBELL at Victoria Park

On Tuesday night, both sides earned a share of the spoils at Victoria Park as BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES drew 0-0 at home to CHRISTCHURCH. Graham Kemp's visiting side came very close early after when Sam Griffin went on a mazy run and his effort came back off the crossbar. Poppies then had much of the opening period with Martin Warren and Jon Blake both having efforts saved by Stewart Kearn in the Christchurch goal. Matt Blake also fired over as Poppies took early control but Mark Fairbrother also came close for Christchurch just before half-time. Sam Griffin went close for Christchurch with 15 minutes remaining when his effort went past the post. However just moments later, Poppies had the perfect opportunity to win the game when Jake Rowley was brought down by Legg, who was cautioned. Dave Ewen stepped up to take the spot kick, but his penalty went comfortably over the crossbar. Both sides traded substitutes and corners late on but the score remained 0-0 at full-time.

 

SATURDAY 17TH DECEMBER

Andover New Street 3-3 Team Solent (Division One)

By GARY DAY at Foxcotte Park

THIS was a clash between teams standing at seventh and second in the Division 1 table respectively.  The students left the field at the end in disbelief as they allowed a certain looking victory to slip away.  They dominated possession throughout most of this game but were pegged back by a late Street rally that brought them two penalties, thus enabling them to take a share of the spoils.

Solent took a 12th minute lead when Mike Wheeler's corner was headed out into the path of LEO CHURMS, who was lurking ominously on the edge of the box to drive the ball firmly home.  Solent added a second within a minute when LEWIS GUNDRY netted an effort that took a deflection but just had enough power to trickle home.  Solent were playing with confidence and it looked like a matter of time when they would score again.  An excellent move, involving several players, split the home defence completely as Declan Edwards took a return pass from both Churms and Tom Hoskins and then hit a crisp shot but Street keeper Tasker made an excellent save; it was perhaps to be a pivotal moment in the game.  Half-time: 0-2.

The students continued to pass the ball assertively in the second half and they looked likely to add to their lead.  Wheeler hit a 25 yard effort that was equalled by Tasker's low save but it came as no surprise when CHURMS received a pass and finished well from 20 yards to notch his second goal and put Solent 3-0 ahead on 59 minutes.  Street skipper Bobby Swayne saw his headed effort nodded off the line by Solent defender Craig Martin shortly afterwards.  Street's ISAAC SEDU was in on Solent keeper Scott Kinge and his shot just squeezed its way into the corner to pull the score back to 1-3 in the 76th minute, perhaps a shade too early to consider it to be a mere consolation?!  An excellent advantage was played by referee Mr Knight, who allowed a handling offence in midfield to continue; from there, Sedu was fouled in the box and this brought Street a penalty and a red card for the visitor for preventing a goalscoring opportunity.  SWAYNE stepped up to score the 87th minute spot-kick.  When Kinge saved low to deny George Dallarda it looked like Street's final opportunity to grab an unlikely point had gone.  However, with the game in stoppage time, Mr Knight spotted a holding offence as a free-kick was aimed into the box and SWAYNE drove his second spot-kick firm and straight to secure a 3-3 draw from what had appeared to be a seemingly hopeless position.

TUESDAY 13TH DECEMBER

Horndean 2-1 University of Portsmouth (Portsmouth Senior Cup)

By MATT RICHBELL at Fiveheads Park

HORNDEAN were 2-1 winner at home against the University of Portsmouth in the Portsmouth Senior Cup. The visitors began the game brightly and came close after having a long range effort tipped over the crossbar. The resulting corner came back off the post and moments after that, the Students did take the lead when a looping header went over the goalkeeper's head and into the back of the net. Ten minutes later and the hosts were level after Horndean won a penalty for a push in the back and Alex Milroy converted the spot kick. Ten minutes later and the comeback was complete when Milroy ghosted past several visiting defenders before coolly finishing in the bottom corner. Horndean's dominance continued early in the second half and they had an effort cleared off the line whilst substitute Louis Bell also had an effort straight at the keeper. The students had one glorious opportunity late on but it was blazed over the crossbar from inside the box.

SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER

Cowes Sports 5-1 Petersfield Town (Division One)

By GLYNN SKINNER at Westwood Park

For the first time in a month, since a draw at Verwood, the Yachtsmen played a League match and welcomed Petersfield Town to Westwood Park. Manager Steve Taylor made two changes from the side that had lost on penalties to Premier Div side Bemerton HH in mid week with cup tied Josh Appell and Patrick Wilson coming in for Jason Ince and Lee Davies both of whom dropped to the bench. A change also to the formation 3-5-2 preferred to 4-4-2. Petersfield made one change from the side that beat Andover Neqw Street 5 - 1 the previous Saturday, Nick Darke in for Mluleki Sibanda. Cowes started in confident mood and tested the visiting defence early on and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 14th minute as Dom Burbidge's corner hit Petersfield defender Greg PARKER and went into the goal. A second goal was added just three minutes later when the impressive Josh Appell free kick from the right found Darren WILLIAMS who acrobatically blasted the ball back across keeper John Burnett and in off the righthand post as Cowes threatened to run up a big score. Petersfield were struggling to mount any decent attacks and went further behind on 33 mins when Josh Appell again was the provider, his run down the right and a lobbed cross was headed home by skipper Gareth BRICKNELL from close range. The second half was always going to struggle to live up to what had preceded and sure enough Cowes' level dropped allowing the visitors a lot more of the ball and slowly they were gaining in confidence and starting to press for a way back into the match. However the fire in them was extinguished in the 65th minute when a free kick was awarded about five yards outside and too the left corner of the area. Top scorer Dom BURBIDGE fired over the wall and inside the right post leaving keeper John Burnett rooted to the ground to give Cowes a four goal lead. A quick break in the 90th minute saw substitute Jason INCE lob number five for the Island side, before Callum COKER scored a simple injury time consolation goal for Petersfield.

GE Hamble 3-0 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Follands Park

After a blank weekend when the previous Saturday's scheduled match against Romsey Town was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, Alresford made a promising start against the high-riding Planemakers at Follands Park on a chilly afternoon. The Magpies carved out several early chances but failed to take them, and as the first half progressed the hosts began to take a grip.  There was little goalmouth action, though, until the last few minutes of the half.  For Alresford Mike McEnery saw his shot blocked after good work by Jamil Saleh.  At the other end Chris Waller saved well from Richard Gregory, who fired the rebound over the bar, while Jamie Musselwhite headed wide when well placed. Two goals at the start of the second half effectively decided the contest.  On 46 minutes Waller did well to divert Rory Williams' shot for a corner.  But Musselwhite flick-headed the corner goalwards, and it took a slight deflection, probably off Steve Llewellyn, before nestling in the back of the net. McEnery then made it to the byeline on the left and crossed for Dean Cole to spoon his shot to safety, and Hamble went straight up the other end to double their advantage.  Ashley Jarvis was the man on target this time with a delicate chip. Alresford enjoyed some good spells after that, with sub Danilio Cadete making penetrating runs down the left.  But a goal never looked likely, and Hamble were content to soak up whatever pressure the visitors could throw at them. They made the game safe a minute from time from a quick break out of defence featuring subs Dan Thompson and Pip Nolan.  Musselwhite finished off the move with an emphatic finish to send the Magpies home from their travels empty-handed once again.

Verwood Town 1-0 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Potterne Park

This was another battling performance by Spurs, but this week there was no happy ending, as a hard-fought victory for Verwood enabled the Dorset side to climb to the top of the league table. The first half was very tight with defences generally on top.  There were a few goal chances with Mike Haskell hitting the bar for Town, whilst Fleet were causing problems for the home defence who struggled to cope with debutant Adam Aimable's searching long throws.  Overall it looked as though the score-sheet would remain blank at the break.  However,  in the last minute Charlie Gajic got on the end of a fine Jack Satterley cross and hammered a close-range volley into the top of the net.  It was a very well-taken goal, though a rare lapse by the Spurs defence made it almost look as if they were playing statues as they stood and admired the move. After the interval, play continued in the same vein, though Town were creating the better chances, and only the customary resolute performance by Spurs' defence and a number of good saves from Ryan Bone kept the deficit down to one goal.  The visitors sporadically had a number of half-chances on the break, without ever really looking likely to make the breakthrough.

TUESDAY 6TH DECEMBER

Whitchurch United 1-2 Andover New Street (North Hants Senior Cup)

By KERRY MILLER at Longmeadow

 NEW Street boss Brian Drury returned to his old stamping ground at Longmeadow on Tuesday night and went away with a place in the North Hants Senior Cup final, courtesy of a goal from George Dallarda.

It was no more than his side deserved as they looked the hungrier and dominated large sections of the game which got off to a stunning start with two goals inside five minutes. With the first attack Whitchurch's Luke Walker pressured the Street defence and when a back header failed to reach keeper Dave Tasker, he walked round him and tucked away the opener with little difficulty. The lead lasted less than five miniutes as Street opened up the home back line and Isaac Sedu finished a nice move from 12 yards to put his sidce back on level terms. Sturt Anderson went close but was denied on the line by Ali Brown then Dallarda was fouled right on the edge of the box but his free-kick was a foot too high. He and Sedu then were causing problems and they combined again but Dallarda's volley was saved superbly by Tom Hindmarsh before the break.

New Street lost Matt Styles to injury and Drury threw on Antony Waters to play alongside Dallarda it paid dividends nine minutes after the break as a corner was not cleared and Waters' volley was flicked on by Bobby Swayne and when Hindmarsh's reaction save fell to Dallarda he made no mistake.

Waters had another left volley saved then at the other end Walker's snap shot went inches wide of Tasker's post but Street were always the more likely and despite a couple of scares they took the win and the place in the final against either Tadley Calleva or Alresford Town, who play on Tuesday.

SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER

Amesbury Town 5-2 Hythe & Dibden (Division One)

By MARK HILTON at Bonnymead Park

Amesbury have moved up to 7th in the League having completed the double against Hythe & Dibden at Bonnymead on Saturday . They got off to a dream start when Myles Gorey headed home a Craig Wheeler corner on 3 minutes, Gorey's first goal for the club. Hythe nearly hit straight back when a forward pass found Steve Knight but Danny Harrison saved well with his legs. Myles Gorey then nearly got a 2nd but his shot was pushed away for a corner by visiting keeper  Steve Moss. On 10 minutes Toni Camilleri went on a good run but he scuffed his shot and Moss easily saved.  Hythe then had a period of dominantion and Darren Boag did well down the right but fired his shot into the side netting and then a neat flick by Knight set up Roy Viner who lashed a shot off the top of the bar. Boag then set up a chance for Viner  who again hit the side netting with Harrison beaten. The inevitable equaliser came on 20 minutes when a deep cross by Joe Turner to the far post was met by Knight and the ball fell to Viner who drilled home.  Amesbury then worked their way back in the game and on half an hour re-took the lead. A Lee Bartlett ball fed Toni Camileri whose great cross was met by Craig Wheeler running in and he fired home from 6 yards. Hythe nearly equalised five minutes later  but Viner's shot was from the edge of the box was tipped over by Harrison.
Half time 2-1
The 2nd half started with Amesbury in a determined mood. A minute in Craig Wheeler's low cross was not gathered initially by Moss and Myles Gorey was just unable to get to the loose ball before Moss recovered to save.  Three minutes later another Wheeler cross troubled the Hythe defence but Camilleri could quite get the ball under control in front of goal.  On 50 minutes Hythe's Viner should have done better with his header after a cross from the right. Camilleri then headed over the bar for the Blues after a good cross from Ben Pryce and Myle Gorey and Craig Wheeler combined well  with Toni Camilleri. The ball came to Tom Western and his dipping shot just went over. Camilleri then got clear only for Moss to get his foot in to stop the danger.  Amesbury got the vital third goal just before the hour when a n Amesbury corner was only cleared as far as Tom Wheeler and his looped header crept in under the bar for this first goal for the club as he approaches his 50th appearance.
Hythe weren't about the give up and they started to put pressure on the Amesbury defence. On 66 minutes a corner came out to Tom Clifford who volleyed just wide and then Harris fired over from the edge of the box.  On 70 minutes Hythe were back in the game . A cross from the left was headed home by Viner for his 2nd goal of the game. On Warminster and Tadley has conceded more goals that  these two sides this season so goals were always going to be on the menu.  It was Amesbury who were to push home their advantage. Nathan Jones, on a substitute for the hard working Camillerihad a shot pushed away by Moss diving to his right. On 79 minutes a long Gareth Horner ball forward into the box saw Moss and his defence hesitate and allow a brave header from Craig Wheeler   to find the net for his 2nd goal of the game.  Hythe were not  to be allowed another path back into the game as 3 minutes from time Amesbury's 2nd substitute Josh Archer pounced on a mistake by Moss to score with his first touch in Amesbury colours.

Team Solent 2-1 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Test Park

This was a brave backs-to-the wall performance by Spurs in which they narrowly failed to earn a point at windy Test Park against the students of Team Solent.

The first half never really took off with both sides giving the ball away easily and with little coherence in the play of either side.  Solent had more possession but created very few real chances, the best being when a Fleet defender deflected a close-range shot for a corner via the crossbar.  Spurs only made one real chance when Dave Richards headed a Chris Musgrove cross from the right wing narrowly past the post.

After the break, Solent soon scored, though began to dominate there was a touch of luck as keeper Ryan Bone was only able to push out a hard low cross from the left wing and the ball struck the division's leading goal scorer Leo Churms and trickled into the net, the tall striker seeming not to know much about the goal. Team Solent were now dominating play and only resolute defending by Spurs, some good saves by Bone and more than a slice of luck kept the deficit to one.  Then twenty minutes from the end, Andy Hunt brought on Philip Fisher as a sub.  This was to prove an inspired decision as within a minute of coming on Fisher equalised with a cool low shot after slackness in the home defence.  Encouraged by this, Spurs got on top for a spell and it looked as if they might gain a hard-earned point.  However, as the game moved into injury time, Declan Edwards at last got the better of the Fleet defence, and curled a left-foot shot into the top corner of the net to gain all three points.

Despite the result, this was a much improved Spurs performance, and more of the same should see them rise swiftly from their present fourteenth position.  However, next Saturday they have another real challenge when leaders Brockenhurst visit Southwood (kick-off 3.00).

WEDNESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER

Fawley AFC 2-0 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at The Waterside Sports & Social Club

It was a fourth defeat in five games for Alresford against a side they matched in all areas - except finishing. A good game played at a fast pace on a cold evening nearly produced a goal in the fourth minute.  James Eyles fed Graham Bird in the six-yard box but the big man, who by no means a regular scorer, saw his shot cleared off the line after keeper Dennis Wheeler had taken some of the pace out of it. Fawley struck back, Sam Wilshere heading wide from a Mark Parnell cross.  But on 10 minutes the hosts went in front when Ian Moore used his considerable muscle to win a long ball in the air.  He fed Justin Grandison, who advanced to the edge of the area and took his time to curl a perfect shot into the left side of Chris Waller's goal. Both sides had chances in the next quarter of an hour, and on 25 minutes Alresford defender Danny Edwards, forward for a set piece, had a shot from point blank range deflected over the bar. The alarm bells were ringing for Alresford on 33 minutes when Waller failed to hold on to a routine cross, but Moore's shot came back off the post.  Then, at the other end, Danilio Cadete beat two defenders to give himself a sight of goal, but his chip sailed narrowly over the bar.  As the first half drew to a close, Dean Cole's effort met a similar fate. After the break the Magpies created the first chance, Wheeler saving Cole's shot easily.  The classy Grandison then came close with two shots on the run that were deflected wide.  It seemed that the team that scored the next goal would go on to win, and that is how it panned out.  Alresford thought they'd equalized on 65 minutes when Bird's header was cleared off the line; the visitors were convinced it had gone in.  Eyles also came close with a sweetly-struck shot that rippled the side netting, while the industrious Jamil Saleh was denied twice, first by a deflection and then by a diving Wheeler save. But it was Fawley who grabbed the all-important second goal, sub Ben Murphy directing the perfect 76th-minute cross for Wilshere to drive home on the half-volley from the six-yard line. Alresford fought on, Wheeler plucking a goalbound Cole chip out of the air and then seeing Cadete fire just over the bar.  But coming back from two down always looked to be a bridge too far for the Magpies, whose challenge petered out in the closing stages. In the end Fawley will be well pleased with their efforts while Alresford pack their bags for a Saturday trip to Brading Town on the Isle of Wight.

 

Winchester City 8-0 Brading Town (Premier Division)

By STEVE WOODGATE at the Denplan City Ground

Winchester City bounced back from FA Vase heartbreak to go within one point of league leaders Bemerton Heath as they made easy work of islanders Brading Town. Returning striker Mark Lilley scored asecond-half 12-minute hat trick on his second debut for the club. Leigh Mills, Alek Przespoelwski and Dom Allen put the home side 3-0 up at the break before Lilley made an immediate impact after the hour mark. Przespolewski scored a 25 yard screamer before Graham Lindsey tapped home to make it eight. Scott Saunders received his marching orders for a second yellow late on. With countless suspensions and injuries, Guy Butters had to reshuffle his back and there were debuts for defender TJMcclory-Cuthbertson and Billy Tsovolos, who just joined on loan from Eastleigh. The game could have been all but over in the first four minutes as City missed four good chances as Jake Long in the Brading goal looked set for a busy evening. However, his resilience finally paved when Mills was able to blast home after Brading failed to clear Alex Easton's corner. Ex-Brading full back Przespolewski then unleash a spectacular 25 yard volley to double City's lead before Allen twistedand turned to slot home. The second half was more of the same and Butters introduced another debutant, Lilley, into the mix. He was able to rob the ball from Andy Rann before sliding the ball past the keeper for his first. He then pounced on James Screen's centre, and completed his hat-trick when he finished well from Easton's hopeful ball. There was still time to heap more misery on Brading when Przespolewski drove in another 25 yard strike. Lindsey, who was doing everything but score, was able to get his goal when he got a toe to Lilley's centre. Owner Paul McCarthy was clearly delighted with this result and paid tribute to the returning Winchester players. "Lilley looks impressive all night. I've been following his football career for a while. He went to play Sunday league and felt ready to come back and try to get into our first team," said the ex-boxer.  "He worked hard and was able to takeadvantage of players missing through injury and suspension and he certainlytook his chance. "It goes to show the importance of having a squad here. With our injury crisis at the moment, it was great to see a good response especially after the weekend's defeat."

 

SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER

Christchurch 3-1 Melksham Town (FA Vase 2nd Round Proper)

By MARK DUFFY at Hurn Bridge

Church continued their rich vein of form with a win against opposition who whilst playing some neat football and having a high percentage of possession never really troubled the home side in the final third of the pitch. Leading scorer Ben Osborne netted a fine hat trick much to the delight of the writer!!

Melksham started well showing no signs of nerves without really testing Kearn in the home goal but it was at the other end that the goal was under threat. A Mark Smith corner on 12 minutes caused some panic before it was finally cleared and it was Smith again who nearly opened the scoring after 14 minutes when a fine passing movement between David Legg and Ben Osborne put him through on goal but a last ditch challenge denied him getting any real power in his shot. The first goal was not long coming though as on 21 minutes a Smith free kick was headed back across goal by Jon Grace for Osborne to net with a neat header .This did not deter the visitors though and after 24 minutes they had their first real sight of goal resulting in a corner. The highlight of the match then came on 32 minutes when a move involving James Burden and Smith resulted in the latter crossing for Osborne to side foot home from 8 yards.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first with Melksham playing neat possession football but the Church back four were in dominant mood and every time Church went forward they looked dangerous as wingers Marc Fairbrother and Sam Griffin were beginning to have a positive factor on the game. On 57 minutes a Mark Smith shot was deflected over the bar and shortly after James Burden shot narrowly wide from a Fairbrother cross. It was Burden again on 71 minutes who came close to increasing the lead after being set up by Osborne but his shot was well saved. However it is never straightforward as far as Church are concerned and Melksham were given a lifeline with 5 minutes left when a poor goal kick by the normally reliable Kearn went straight to Higdon who netted from 15 yards. Osborne though was in no mood to let the opposition back into the game and in the very next minute he netted with a fierce right foot shot from 22 yards to complete his hat trick.

Manager Kemp and his team can be well pleased with their tactics which were spot on but a special mention must be made of the visiting supporters and their committee who added to the atmosphere and took their defeat in good spirit and we wish them well for the rest of the season. Church travel to pastures new on Tuesday with a trip to Tadley Calleva in the Wessex League Cup but prior to this the draw for the next round of the Vase is on Monday.

 

Egham Town 0-1 Cowes Sports (FA Vase 2nd Round Proper)

By GLYNN SKINNER at Runnymede Stadium

Cowes Sports made the long trip to Surrey in confident mood looking to add their hosts Egham Town to the growing list of Vase victims in this season's competition. However they knew that it would be a difficult task to come away with a victory as Egham were currently top of The Combined Counties Football League Premier Division having won 12 and drawn 1 of their previous 13 games scoring 49 conceding 17. Craig Insley returned to centre midfield in place of cup tied Josh Appell, the only change made to the previous match, the 'Sarnies' being at full strength. The Surrey side started well but found the Yachtsmen's defence hard to break down and as expected chances came, the best of which fell to centre half Aarron Taylor-Ives who headed over the bar, for them but were not taken. Cowes managed to carve out a good opportunity for themselves, but youngster Jimmy Wykes sent his header wide of goal as the first half remained goalless.

Five minutes into the second half left back Lee Davies was replaced by Mitch Herbert as Egham pressed hard. They thought they had the lead when Captain Marcus Moody converted a cross from the right but an offside flag had been raised before the cross had been delivered. With some strong, but fair tackles being put in by both sides Referee Kevin Norris from Kidlington was controlling the game very well. In the 65th minute Cowes were awarded a free kick mid-way in the home half only a few yards in from the touchline. Skipper Gareth BRICKNELL floated the ball into the Egham area towards the back post and should have been dealt with by Paul Borg in the home goal, but, much to the delight of Cowes' fans and team the ball ended up in the back of the 'Sarnies' net for what proved to be the only goal of a very tight game. From that point onwards Cowes soaked up a lot of pressure but keeper Chris Norris had very little to save as the back four in front of him were outstanding in dealing with everything that was thrown at them. On the break Jimmy Wykes could have had a second but shot wide and the closest Egham came to an equaliser was in the final few minutes when substitute Brendan Matthews headed over from inside the six yard box as Cowes held on to progress into the 3rd Round.

 

Hythe & Dibden 4-1 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at the Ewart Recreation Ground

Spurs never recovered from a lacklustre first-half performance and eventually succumbed to a Hythe side that throughout were physically stronger and quicker to close down their opponents.  Fleet can take some consolation because they are a young side who are showing signs of development and because their heads never dropped.

The game started with Hythe having far more territory and possession without creating any clear chances.  Indeed the first decent goal opportunity came when 16-year-old Matt Cooper outpaced the Hythe defence and flashed a low ball across the face of the goal, but the stretching Bimal Balal couldn't quite get a finishing touch.  After twenty minutes, Hythe took a deserved lead when Steve Knight was left in far too much space in the Fleet box and shot powerfully home off the underside of the bar.  Ten minutes later, the Spurs defence failed to deal with a bouncing ball in the goalmouth and Sean Stone doubled the lead with a looping header.

Manager Andy Hunt's half-time words had the desired effect as Spurs started with much more intent, and Kirk Smith soon reduced the arrears after a good through ball from Balal.  Game on, we thought.  Not so.  Fleet conceded a free kick close to the edge of the area and home skipper Martin Harris restored the two-goal lead with a fine shot past Ryan Bone's left hand, though the positioning of the wall left something to be desired.  The game became much more open, with chances at both ends, though Hythe were still sharper and stronger.  Quarter of an hour from the end Stone put the game out of Spurs' reach after the visitors lost concentration following a minor skirmish after a booking.

Pewsey Vale 3-2 Petersfield Town (Division One)

By JEFF MATTHEWS at The Recreation Ground

Pewsey Vale returned to winning ways, with a home success against fifth place Petersfield Town. It was a successful send off for their young defender Jon Guthrie, who is joining the

Football League side, Crewe, for a two month trial. This was a hard fought match from start to finish with the visitors having the first chance to go into an early lead on the fourth minute when the Vale lost the ball in midfield but the Vale keeper denied Callum Coker with a great save. As the game continued fast and furious from end to end, the Towns keeper, John Burnett, managed to block a Micky Martin shot on the 23rd minute. Vale went ahead midway through the first half when Jack Hopper who had a good chance himself to score unselfishly saw Matty Bissett in a better position, he crossed to Bissett to tap past the keeper. Petersfield fought back to level the score line when Sam Maidens got his head to a cross to send the match in to the break all square. Ricky Franklin had the Vale back in front after 70 minutes when defender David Cope won the ball in midfield to set Franklin up to score but there was a quick reponse from the visitors from Mike Newman whe equalised within a minute. That left Hopper to round off an impressive perormance with a well struck shot from just out side the box giving Burnett no chance,on the 84 minute,appeals for handball in the Vales goal area fell on deaf ears of the referee.

Ringwood Town 2-2 East Cowes Vics (Division One)

By AUBREY HODDER at the Canotec Stadium

'A gripping encounter that ebbed and flowed with gilt-edged chances squandered alongside two quality finishes and which in the end could have gone either way right up until the very final whistle. Ringwood, missing the influential Pierson, Morrell, Clark, Scott Hole and Stuart Brown were to rue the main missed opportunities as they gave the high flying island visitors a very stern test with aspirations for pole position in the league. The first real chance of the game came just before the fifteen minute mark when Vic's Tom Scovell escaped the home defence but was superbly thwarted by keeper Taylor. Within seconds, the ball was at the other end and Streeter did well when getting down low to turn a Wayne Hole shot around the post for a corner. An interesting midfield encounter ensued between Vic's captain Newnham and the terrier like Leadbetter that lasted the whole match but which underlined the commitment to the cause given by all the players. With the half hour mark approaching Ringwood striker Josh Brown was to see the first of his two clear chances smash against the underside of the cross bar from eight yards out before minutes later glancing a Edwards cross wide of the far post from a central position inside the six-yard box. The makeshift home defence were dealing with the Vic's forays, long throws and crosses well and keeper Taylor on many occasions came out to punch or collect the ball with genuine authority. Six minutes after the restart, Vic's took the lead. Lavelle's defensive header from the edge of the penalty area fell to Newnham 25-yards out and his quick control and sublime right foot shot flew past Taylor. Just five minutes later, Ringwood levelled when a high ball into the area saw Edwards deemed to have been bundled off the bouncing ball by one of two close Vic's defenders. Edwards took the spot kick well to take the game into the last half -hour of drama. A second penalty incident followed on seventy four minutes when young Ringwood full back Osman was have adjudged to have handled when on the ground following a tackle with the ball appearing to drop on to him. Keelan Sainsbury stepped up to take the kick but blasted the ball over the bar. Ringwood had brought on young Under-18 striker Callum Wells for his first action of any form in two months and his superb finish gave the home side the lead on seventy-seven minutes. Chasing the ball down the left hand side of the penalty area, the teenager cut inside the full back and fired right footed across the huge presence of Streeter into the top far hand corner of the net.A morale boosting three points looked on but a cruel piece of luck gave the visitors the equaliser with five minutes of normal time remaining. Vic's Scovell blasted in a shot come cross from the left hand edge of the penalty area and in looking to block it, the ball deflected fiercely off Lavelle and went in at the near post with keeper Taylor helpless.
More chances followed, Ringwood's Edwards was clear of the Vic's back four on the edge of the area but his shot went agonisingly wide by inches as Streeter closed him down and finally Vic's Newnham looked to lob Taylor from distance but the home support were relieved to see it land the wrong side of the post.

Warminster Town 1-0 Whitchurch United (Division One)

By MATT RICHBELL at Weymouth Street

An Ashley Vincent free kick several minutes before half-time was enough to earn Warminster Town a hard-fought 1-0 home victory against Whitchurch United at Weymouth Street on Saturday. In an even, end-to-end contest, both sides played periods of excellent passing football without excelling in front of goal. Warminster started brightly with several early efforts straight at Tom Hindmarsh in the visitors' goal. Whitchurch soon found their feet however with Mario Nurse causing problems for the hosts' back four. Nurse's delivery found Luke Walker on seven minutes, but his effort was parried away by the hosts' keeper. Ashley Childs had a volley over the crossbar and Dave Asker also came close for the visitors. On 18 minutes, Whitchurch came close once again to finding the target when the Warminster goalkeeper failed to clear his lines and Luke Walker had a goal-bound shot headed off the line. Alex Dockree also came close twice as Whitchurch continued to dominate. Warminster ventured forward nine minutes before the interval and Simon Clifford had an ambitious effort from distance tipped over the crossbar. Warminster then pressed for several minutes and shortly before half-time, this attacking spell was rewarded. Reaney went on a mazy run forward and was brought down. From the resulting free kick, Ashley Vincent fired the ball past the wall and the stationary Whitchurch goalkeeper into the bottom corner. Whitchurch started brightly in the second half, and Ashley Childs came close on several occasions. Mario Nurse was continuing to cause problems for the Warminster back line but they held firm and Paul Coventry also ventured forward to have an effort deflected into the keepers' arms. Both sides made several substitutions and the game petered out with Warminster holding out for a hard-fought three points.

SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER

Amesbury Town 2-1 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By MARK HILTON at Bonnymead Park

Goals from Nathan Jones and Toni Camilleri gave The Blues a 2-1 victory in a game that they dominated and it gave them revenge for the 4-0 defeat at Fleet Spurs earlier in the season. Craig Wheeler skippered the side to victory on his 200th appearance for the club.
Spurs started well and with 8 minutes gone had a good chance through Kirk Smith but he wasted his effort shooting wide when he should have done better. From then on Amesbury dominated the half playing some delightful football and bossing the midfield. They immediately took the lead when a  good touch and pass by Lee Bartlett set up Nathan Jones who controlled well and fired home. Shortly after Amesbury nearly went further ahead Toni Camilleri set up Craig Wheeler whose shot was deflected by Nathan Jones onto the post with the keeper beaten. Craig Wheeler then crossed from the left and Lee Bartlett's goal bound shot was blocked for a corner and Tyler Brockway's header from the resulting corner was saved by Keeper Ryan Bone. On 16 minutes Camilleri's brilliant cross from the right found Nathan Jones but his header didn't trouble Bone. Amesbury only had to wait 7 minutes to increase their lead however, Tyler Brockway did well to keep his feet after being fouled and the referee played a good advantage. Brockway's through ball was perfect for Camilleri to crash home from just inside the box.  Amesbury continued to search for more goals. Craig Wheeler's corner found Ben Pryce but his header was disappointly wide.  Half Time 2-0
Just after the re-start Camilleri ran forward with the ball and lobbed the advancing Bone but the ball just went the wrong side of the post. But Fleet Spurs were determined to find a way back in the match and just before the hour Matt Cooper put a lovely ball through James Wills whose shot crept into the goal despite the efforts of Danny Harrison in the Amesbury goal.
Amesbury replied with Camilleri setting up Craig Wheeler on the left but his shot whistled across the goal and past the far post. On 65 minutes a good run and chip by Nathan Jones was saved by Banks and then two minutes later Lee Bartlett did well down the right and flashed across the goal just evading substitute Myles Gorey.  Fleet's best chance to equalise came on 75 minutes Bimal Bilal's shot from distance was easily saved by Harrison.  On 80 minutes Camilleri , Craig Wheeler and Myle Gorey all combined well but Craig Wheeler's stylish overhead kick was wide of the goal. A minute later Ben Burgess was unfortunate to pick up a second yellow card for a foul on Craig Wheeler and Amesbury were able to play out the game for a 2-1 victory to take them up to 10th in the league.

Laverstock & Ford 3-5 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at the Dell

Laverstock almost took the lead in the first minute when Magpies keeper Chris Waller failed to gather cleanly, but Lewis McCartney's shot was deflected wide of a gaping net.
It was Alresford who scored first, with 2 minutes on the clock.  Ash Ledger picked up position and advanced through the middle.  No defenders closed him down, and the ball sat up perfectly for Ledger to try his luck with a contender for goal of the season from 35 yards. The ball duly rocketed into the top corner of the net with Lavvy keeper Nick Safe rooted to the spot.
The Magpies only held their lead for one minute, the visiting defence parting for Eddie Perrett to restore parity.  But Alresford edged ahead again on 15 minutes after home full-back Jack Brooks slipped with his foot on the ball, leaving Simon Everett to skip around Safe and net easily.  And two minutes later Dean Cole made it 3-1 with a fine chip from a tight angle after the hosts failed to clear a free-kick.
Alresford were then on top for a spell, but Laverstock gave themselves hope by pulling it back to 3-2 on 35 minutes. Perrett was the scorer again, gobbling up the rebound after Waller had parried an Elliott Wykes free-kick.
The visitors would have liked nothing better than an uneventful second half, but that was never really on the cards.  And on 70 minutes the sides were level again at 3-3 when Jamie Waters' curling free-kick flew over the Alresford wall and dipped to beat Waller comprehensively.
The Magpies keeper then made a miraculous save with his feet to keep Sam Miller from giving the hosts the lead for the first time.  On 75 minutes the visitors went ahead themselves (again) when sub Danilio Cadete twisted and turned on the edge of the box to fire home a perfect angled shot.
On 84 minutes Jamil Saleh completed the scoring with a sweet volley from an Adie de la Nougerede cross made possible by Dan Strange's crossfield pass.  And when, on 86 minutes, home defender Mathew Alford was shown a second yellow for clipping Saleh's heels, Alresford were able to breathe easily at last.
There was still time for a penalty.  When Alresford's James Eyles, who had worked very hard all afternoon in an unaccustomed forward role, was flattened from behind as he tried to reach a Cadete cross, the referee pointed to the spot.  But Joe Wright's spot-kick blazed miles over the bar in the general direction of Hampshire, and the referee blew the final whistle to bring down the curtain on a match that had just about everything - except maybe good defending!

TUESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER

Alresford Town 2-7 Moneyfields (League Cup)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Alrebury Park

Alresford were eliminated from the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup after a defensive shambles of a performance on a damp night at Arlebury Park.

Managers Tim Cole and Danny Robinson gave a first start to keeper Stacey Harper in place of Chris Waller, while the injured Danny Edwards missed out at centre-back.  He was replaced by Steve Llewellyn, returning after missing Saturday's game at a christening.

The Magpies made a promising start.  After seven minutes a deflected cross put Moneys keeper David Hook in trouble, and Jamil Saleh had two shots blocked; Hook saved Chris Manning's follow-up and then did well to deny Ashley Ledger.

But the visitors took the lead on 10 minutes when a low cross from the right was laid back by Moneys' Steve Hutchings for Jamie Hore to drive home from the edge of the box.

On 16 minutes Alresford equalized when Simon Everett's pass sent Mike McEnery racing clear.  McEnery's shot came back off the post, but Dean Cole tucked away the rebound.

The home defence then caved in completely over the space of ten minutes, the rampant visitors adding four more goals.  First, a free-kick from the left was allowed to reach the feet of Danny Horrell, who was allowed by a gaggle of defenders to turn and rifle the ball home.  A minute later Hore made it 3-1 when Harper failed to gather a cross, and on 23 minutes Hore completed his hat-trick by stooping to head home a right-wing cross, again without any challenge from the defence.

A fifth goal came on 28 minutes when the unmarked Dan Gauntlett headed home a left-wing corner.

The second half was better for the home side, but the game was, by now, way out of reach.  On 59 minutes Hutchings, who held the ball up superbly all night, turned his defender and unleashed a shot that squirmed through Harper's grasp to match it 6-1.

Four minutes later McEnery dragged it back to 6-2 by finding the top left corner of the net on the run from Everett's through ball.

But Alresford's misery was complete ten minutes from time.  The ball had cannoned around in the Alresford box for some seconds despite several attempts to clear off the line, and the assistant referee adjudged that the ball had gone in - although no-one seemed quite sure when or how.  Hutchings was credited with that one.

So Moneyfields go on to meet Alton away in the third round, while the Magpies were left in no doubt that a major improvement will be needed at the back if they are to get anything from Saturday's Wessex Premier visit to Laverstock & Ford.

Christchurch 1-0 Warminster Town (League Cup)

By MARK DUFFY at Hurn Bridge

A solitary goal on the half hour mark was enough to see Church through to the next round of the League Cup against a battling Warminster side who belied their lowly league position.

Manager Graham Kemp took the opportunity to promote three players from the successful reserve side and also to give the squad members a game. Church started strongly and youngster Tom Johnson was pushing forward on the left hand side and after 3 minutes his cross into the area resulted in the first corner of the game. However the visitors despite defending well did create a chance after 17 minutes when a fierce long range shot by James Vincent just cleared the bar. It looked just a matter of time before Church opened the scoring and this came on the half hour mark when Paul Roberts headed in neatly from a Joe Kittle cross. It should have been two shortly after but after a fine passing movement the first touch of Jack Swann let him down when put through on goal.

The second half continued in a similar vein and Roberts missed from close range on 46 minutes and it looked as if a second goal would be imminent but poor finishing and good defending stopped this. As the game entered the final quarter the visitors pushed forward but apart from one occasion were restricted to long range efforts which Stewart Kearn in the home goal dealt with in his usual efficient manner. There was still action at the other end and sub James Burden fired narrowly over the bar with a fierce 25 yard shot.

Graham Kemp can be pleased with all the youngsters who played especially Dan Thompson who was rewarded with his performance with the Man of the match award. This was the 13th home match in all competitions this season resulting in 12 wins and a draw a remarkable feat and long may it continue.

Lymington Town 3-2 Romsey Town (Premier Division)

By RUSSELL YOUNG at the Sports Ground

Lymington Town boss Stuart Hussey says his sides 3-2 victory over Romsey Town at the Sports Ground on Tuesday night was 'richly deserved'
Hussey looked on as his charges fought back from 2-0 down after a quarter of an hour to post a last-gasp victory, courtesy of skipper Gareth Byres.
All this after Chris Hall and Gareth Batchelor had given Romsey a dream start only for Chris Marwood and in-form Steve Whitcher to level things up.
But according to the Town boss, Byres late winner was well deserved for the way his side went about their work with a determination to win maximum points.
"After last Saturday (at Fareham) the last thing we wanted to do was find ourselves 2-0  down after fourteen minutes," he said. "Individual errors cost us.
"The way we recovered from those goals was absolutely superb. I thought we totally dominated the game all over the pitch.
"I can't praise the whole team enough, from defence to the attack we were superb. There was only going to be one team that won it and I'm very pleased it was us."
The night started on the wrong footing when Romsey opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Hall headed Macs Sampays cross home at the far post, catching the Town defence totally flatfooted.
A Ben Thomson free-kick and an intricate move involving Marwood, Fox and Whitcher, in which Saturday's hat-trick hero fired wide, were Town's best efforts in front of goal.
Once again Town were caught cold when Batchelor seized on Stuart Williamson's failure to hold Jake Long's corner, smashing home a loose ball, via the back of Sam Carter's head - to double his teams advantage.
Back came Town as Marwood forced Matt Brown into a superb low tip round the post and minutes later netting Gareth Byres through ball, reducing the arrears.
The goal sparked Lymington to life and Whitcher maintained his superb form in front of goal, latching onto Dan Fox's superb lofted pass, with an equally impressive finish, beating Brown all ends up.
Hussey's men could and should have racked a third soon after. Carter robbing Jake Long and his square ball was popped with by Whitcher with the goal at his mercy.
Carter came closest to breaking the deadlock in the second period, arrowing a cross cum shot across the Romsey penalty area.
Despite chances being at a premium Byres struck a shot at Brown, following impressive wing play by Darren Ritchie.
That near didn't deter Town's skipper who popped up to score the winner three minutes from time.
Carter again the artitect from the right, skinning Jake Long. His centre was headed goalwards by Whitcher only for Brown to pull off an excellent save and the loose ball was turned home by Byres.
Ryan Long went close to restoring parity in injury-time but headed wide at the back post, from Jake Long's free-kick. Once that happened, Romsey chance of taking a point from the game had gone.
Any Romsey goal would have been rough justice for the way Town came back from their earlier deficit accoring to Hussey.
"In the end Gazza's goal was more than we deserved, " he added. "The second half there was only one team in it. If they had scored at the end, they wouldn't have deserved it. The players deserve a lot of credit. Absolutely superb."

MONDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

Gosport Borough 3-3 Fareham Town (5-4 on pens, Russell Cotes Cup)

By PAUL PROCTOR at Privett Park

Town fans must have thought they were enduring Chinese Water Torture as Gosport equalised in both the last minute of normal time and the last minute of extra time to force a penalty shoot out.

Alas it wasnt to be as the home side ran out 5-4 victors on penalties. (Game ended 3-3 aet)

Everyone in the Red and Black were simply outstanding this season and deserve all the praise possible.

Taking the game to our Southern League rivals from the off, Ashley Tattersall was inches away from giving Town a 4th minute lead after a trademark run through the heart of the Gosport defence.Rob Tambling somehow managed to hit the post for Town on 8 minutes from a ridiculously acute angle following a Kirby flick on and on 20 minutes Rob Tambling scored the goal that Fareham's enterprising display deserved. Beating the offside trap and calmly taking the ball round the home keeper before coolly slotting home.

It still continued to be Fareham to create the more clearcut chances and Tattersall saw his effort saved by the keepers out-stretched boot.

HT. Gosport Borough 0-1 Fareham Town.

Gosport dominated possession in the 2nd half but it wasn't until the 55th minute before Luke Douglas made his first save of the game pushing away a long range effort, with Tambling and Tattersall causing problems through the hesitant home defence throughout.

On 75 minutes from nothing Gosport equalised. A spectacular 25 yard effort which hit the stanchion at the back of the net and bounced out and into Douglas' hands.

2 Minutes later however and Town restored their lead. Tambling sticking a foot out to divert Jimmy Cuthbert's effort, it hit the post and rolled along the goal-line but like all goal predators Tambling was first there to tap home.

Tattersall had a great chance to give Town the lead on 83 minutes. Sam Kessack who had replaced Tambling intelligently heading back across for Tats, unfortunately it was just too high for him and whilst he got his head to the ball, he was unable to direct it into the gaping net.

Then right on 90 minutes and not for the first time Gosport were the recipient of a debatable decision. This time from the penalty spot coolly dispatched forcing the game to go into extra time.

FT: Gosport Borough 2-2 Fareham Town

Kessack who on Sunday played for our Under 18 side then almost restored Town's lead but his deflected shot was saved at the foot of the nearpost by the home keeper.

It wasn't long however before intelligent positioning from Kessack at the back post creating space for himself saw him head home Boud's inviting cross to restore Town's lead for the 3rd time in the game.

Shortly afterwards Pittman was shown a 2nd yellow card for a nudge on a Gosport player which considering what the home side were allowed to get away with throughout was hard to take for some Town followers.

HT in Extra Time: Gosport Borough 2-3 Fareham Town

The 2nd period of extra time saw the game stretched but as players were weary it failed to spark the way the previous 105 minutes had - with plenty of stoppages and it was deep in injury time at the end of extra time that Gosport equalised for the 3rd time. A long range effort into the bottom corner which Douglas had no chance with.

FT in Extra Time: Gosport Borough 3-3 Fareham Town

Luke Douglas was an early hero in the penalty shootout for Town saving Gosport's 1st spot kick but the next 10 penalties were all superbly struck. Boud, Doswell, Cuthbert, Kirby scoring for Town. Tom Winzar then stepped up to win the game for Town but his kick was saved so after 5 penalties each it was 4-4 and sudden death.

Then for the 1st time in the tie Gosport took the lead with their 6th penalty but it was enough as Ashley Tattersall's penalty was saved and Town exit the Russell Cotes Cup for 2011-12.

After the game it became immediately clear what team spirit there is in the camp. Tom Winzar via his facebook page stood up to accept responsibility for the defeat after his penalty miss only for his team mates to cut him down and accept responsibility together.

Matt Parr was proud of his teams efforts. "We went into the game with just one recognised defender on the pitch against a Southern League side on a good run of form and 7 of their regular 1st teamers on the pitch." "We took the game to them and I am just so bitterly disappointed that the football gods decided to turn their backs on us this evening." "The boys now know what they are capable of which is Southern League football and it a challenge I will thrive on in bringing that to the club."

SATURDAY 5TH November

Alresford Town 0-4 Winchester City (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Alrebury Park

League favourites City marched on towards the top of the table with a comfortable victory over the Magpies, who kept the arrears down to four goals but rarely threatened to score themselves or to get anything from the game.

The last time these two met, a fortnight ago in the FA Vase, City were two up and out of sight after just three minutes.  This time Alresford, much to the relief of the home fans, kept the scoresheet blank for eighteen minutes and competed well during that early period.  Town's Dean Cole had the first chance but fired wide from Mike McEnery's knockdown, while at the other end Chris Waller saved well from Jamie White and then beat out Graham Lindsey's header.

City were starting to get a grip, and opened the scoring when White knocked on a long ball forward and Charlie Smeeton bundled it home at the far post.  Five minutes later they doubled their advantage after breaking away from a good spell of home pressure.  Smeeton was again the man on target with an emphatic finish from the edge of the box.

Ex-Saint White was again proving to be the class of the field, tormenting the home defence with his movement and touch.  He almost scored with a flicked header from Alex Przespolewski's quick free-kick, but Waller acrobatically tipped the ball to safety.

McEnery's lob had City keeper Ryan Gosney scrambling back to tip the ball to safety, and he reacted quickly again to claw the loose ball off the line from the follow-up shot.  Alresford created another decent chance a minute before the break when Cole's cross from the right found Joe Wright free in the box.  Defender Wright struck his volley cleanly enough, but the ball flew just over the bar.

Early in the second half it became apparent that Alresford had burnt themselves out, and the visitors were firmly in control.  White netted from Lindsey's nod back but was offside, and there was a lengthy break when ref John Foster - who until that point had had an excellent game - tweaked a calf muscle and had to be replaced by senior assistant Simon Jelf, who also did a fine job.

But the interruption seemed to take the game off the boil, and an untidy passage of play followed with neither side threatening to upset the status quo.

Alresford flickered briefly into life on 81 minutes when McEnery burst through, but Mike Byrne blocked his shot with perfect timing.  Two minutes later White got his name on the scoresheet with a powerful shot after Alresford had failed to clear.  And, fittingly, it was White who had the last word, tapping in a left wing cross from close range on 88 minutes to make the final score an emphatic 4-0.

Blackfield & Langley 1-3 GE Hamble (Premier Division)

By GLENN DONOVAN at Gang Warily Stadium

GE Hamble heaped more misery on the Home side with their victory. A comfortable 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes through Jamie Musselwhite and Ashley Jarvis respectively gave them a comfort zone to play from.
Blackfield quickly got back into the game with a strike from Warren Hunt on 22 minutes that gave hopes of a challenge to their superior play. The Home side contributed to a lively 1st half but at the break the score remained at 2-1 to the visitors.
Blackfield had chances to restore parity on several occasions but were lacking a cutting edge in the last third of the pitch.They say that... "when your down there, nothing goes right for you" was a phrase that summed up the afternoon really. The front pairing of Bobby Scott and Warren Hunt did not get the level of service from a midfield that had a missing link, and a width of play that lacked continuity balance to both flanks. Several good runs from the hard working Liam Horstead were checked by a Hamble defence that was well organised and stepped up together when danger loomed. Frustrated by narrow Official decisions that appeared arguably to conspire against his team mates Joe Bye was rewarded with a yellow card on 80 minutes.
Hamble held all the extra trump cards and were dealt a winning hand with a diamond opportunity on 83 minutes. A cross field ball from the right was misjudged in flight by Central defender and captain Charlton Clarke. He was left flat footed with a Hamble player able to pick out Jarvis in plenty of space. Ashley Jarvis made no mistake with his effort that was hit low past a despairing Howard in the Blackfield goal to make it 3-1.
There was some half chances in the closing stages for Blackfield to close the gap but there was just not enough fuel in a tank that seemed empty. Warren Hunt let his frustration, and feelings spill over with a verbal questioning of decisions that earned him a yellow card with time added on at 90 + 4 minutes.
A second Home defeat of the week after Tuesday's 5-0 mauling by Horndean, compounded a difficult 7 day period that started last Saturday with the narrow 2-1 defeat at Christchurch. Manager Louis Bell was simply shell shocked following this lowest point of his current reign in charge. He was simply "...lost for words to describe that we were just not good enough" and "...ideas that need to be found to enable us to go forward again"

Fareham Town 5-4 Lymington Town (Premier Division)

By PAUL PROCTOR at Cams Alders

The art of defending was lost this afternoon at Cams Alders as Fareham and Lymington produced a 9 goal thriller with Fareham picking up their first league win in a month. Robbie Tambling scoring the 85th minute winner for the Creeksiders.
The fun began as early as the 11th minute. A low drive from Jack Kirby eluded everyone into the bottom corner of the net. But for the 3rd consecutive game, Town's joy wasn't to last as Whitcher equalised immediately. Worse was to follow on 17 minutes as Marwood was allowed to head home a simple chance to put Lymington 2-1 ahead. On 20 minutes, a hopeful punt upfield by Ritchie saw Whitcher in the clear but instead of shooting he went to pass to a non-existent team mate and Pittman cleared the danger. It wasn't long however before Whitcher did get his 2nd and Lymington's 3rd goal, capitalising on a mix up in the Fareham defence before tapping into an empty net. Boud had a chance to claw Fareham back into the game but his free kick was always going over. On 31 minutes Doswell should have done better for Fareham with a header but misdirected it badly, but it wasn't long before Town were back in the game. In the 38th minute Sean Dark bravely headed on before being walloped by the onrushing keeper and the ball fell nicely to Tambling to nod home. Lymington had the final chance of the half on 42 minutes. Marwood beating the offside trap but screwing his shot wide. HT. Fareham Town 2-3 Lymington Town Town's first effort of the 2nd half was another free kick to Boud, but again it was too high, wide and handsome to worry the keeper. On the hour mark in the space of a minute, human dynamo Ash Tattersall turned the game on its head by scoring twice. The first a low shot which he scuffed but Williamson in the Lymington goal allowed it to go under his body. The 2nd, Tattersall's knee getting to Boud's cross a split second before Williamson again to put Fareham 4-3 ahead! The chances continued to come thick and fast. Ritchie then headed a corner over for Lymington whilst at the other end Williamson got to the loose ball a split second before Tattersall. Rob Tambling then put in a cross into the penalty area but just beyond the onrushing Jack Kirby who had the goal at his mercy. On 70 minutes, it was all square again and the best goal of the day. Whitcher securing his hat-trick with a 25 yard effort into the top corner, but straight from the re-start back came Fareham. Boud's cross cum shot hitting the top of the bar. Lymington then had 3 great chances to regain the lead. Firstly substitute Hussey headed over the bar from underneath it, Marwood then blazed over from the edge of the box and finally Thomson put in a curling effort which crashed against the bar, and whilst the follow up was netted the linesman's flag was already raised for offside against the scorer. Town weren't out of it as an attacking force either. Pittman shooting narrowly wide from Sean Dark's clever pass across the penalty area. The winner came in the 85th minute. Tambling showed great determination in holding off 2 Lymington defenders and with the ball glued to his feet created space, and calmly slotted into the net to send the home fans into raptures. The final chance of the game came to Fareham, with Lymington pressing for an equaliser Town broke quickly and Kirby's effort hit the side netting.

Final Score: Fareham Town 5-4 Lymington Town

 

Fleet Spurs 1-3 Warminster Town (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Kennels Lane

Three sloppy goals in the quarter of an hour after half-time meant another defeat for a young Spurs side, who despite a brave rally in the last few minutes were unable to reply with more than a consolation goal.

After a bright start by Warminster, the first half was mostly uninspiring with both sides putting far too much trust in long aimless balls forward and Fleet in particular giving away possession too easily.  Overall Town were the better side, but Spurs created the best chance after twenty minutes when 16-year-old debutant Matt Cooper had a clear sight of goal, but keeper Scott Lewis made a good save and a visiting defender completed the clearance.

After the break came the three quick goals.  First the Spurs defence failed to react to a Warminster free-kick and when the ball ran loose, Louis Sparey was able to force the ball home from a narrow angle.  Worse was to come for Fleet when after a good run by Tom Clifford more doziness in the defence let James Vincent score from close range.  Five minutes later Spurs allowed Vincent to collect a long kick from Lewis deep on the left wing and failed to cut out his cross, which skipper Simon Reaney collected and then rounded home keeper Ryan Bone to drive the ball high into the net past two helpless home defenders.  Ten minutes from the end, Ryan Adger finished off a left-wing move to set up a possible grandstand finish.  However, the chance was lost when five minutes later skipper Alex Pickering hit the bar with a powerful header from a corner, with Lewis well beaten, and the danger passed.

Although the overall Spurs performance was disappointing, there is some hope for the future, with Spurs fielding a side with an average age of under 24 and with five players aged under 21 in the starting squad.  They now stand tenth in the league.  Next Saturday they visit Amesbury Town (kick-off 3.00).

Team Solent 3-2 Pewsey Vale (Division One)

By GARY DAY at Test Park

Team Solent's second ever Sydenhams League game at Test Park proved to be an absolute thriller as the students secured victory at the last gasp.

The game had an open feel to it in the early minutes as a Jon Guthrie header for Vale was headed against the underside of the bar on the line by a home defender whilst, as play switched to the other end, Lewis Gundry was set-up by Declan Edwards but his shot lacked power.  Pewsey had two ‘one-on-ones' with the keeper but both Jack Hopper and Michael Martin saw their opportunities saved by Barry Squires.  For Solent, some great passing football resulted in Edwards shooting wide from a low Gundry cross.  Pewsey went ahead when a Hopper pass picked out Matty Bissett, who did rather better than his team mates by slotting low past Squires and into the far corner to give his side a 43rd minute lead.  It could have got worse for the students as Joe Hornbogen, left unmarked, thumped a header off the post from a corner in stoppage time.

Pewsey came out strongly for the second half and Squires saved from Martin and Ricky Franklin whilst Ryan Banks shot wide.  Solent enjoyed a good spell from here but found the visitors defence in stubborn mood although sub David Abe was unfortunate to see his twisting header go just wide from a Leo Churms cross.  A Mike Wheeler pass picked out Churms who cooly nipped past Pewsey keeper Richie Payne and slotted in for a 75th minute equalizer (1-1).  Straight from the re-start, Franklin's near post effort brought a fine low save by Squires on his near post but the visitors did  retake the lead when Martin latched onto a Hopper pass to slip the offside line and fire home low (1-2).  That 77th minute lead lasted only four minutes as Churms got his second goal.  Having played a neat wall pass with Will Tickle the Solent forward struck a fine low shot into the Pewsey net to level the scores at 2-2.

With the game deep into stoppage time and a draw looking to be a fair outcome there was one further twist to come.  The fine line between success and failure was evident as a last-gasp Harry Jeffries clearance prevented a winning goal for Pewsey.  A bad tackle (which was well out of character in this otherwise sporting game) brought Solent a free-kick fully 25 yards out, and it was that man Churms who hit it, the ball flashing beyond the diving Payne to complete his hat-trick and bring Solent the lead for the first time in the game and win a most entertaining match.

TUESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER

Brockenhurst 5-1 Andover New Street (League Cup)

By KERRY MILLER at Grigg Lane

NEW Street manager Brian Drury cobbled together a squad of 12, which included three goalkeepers, for his side's League Cup tie at Brockenhurst on Tuesday.

With Dave Tasker between the sticks both Alex Thompson and Cray Sams played a half each as Street took on the league leaders at Grigg Lane. In truth Street held the home side for 40 minutes until two goals in three minutes just before the break proved decisive. Chris Knight twice went close before a long kick from home keeper Scott O'Rourke was flicked on and Mark Barker's pace did the rest.

Street did not lie down and on the half hour as Thompson pulled the defence wide Bobby Swayne strode through to curl a gem of a goal with his left foot. George Dallardo was denied as Street dominated for a spell then Dave Tasker pulled off a fine save to deny Matt Malloy.

Barker then hit the post but Brockenhurst were not to be denied and from the corner centre back Jamie Vinton powered through to nod home from close range.

Brock sensed they could finish the game off and Molloy brought another spectacular save from Tasker but just before the break Warren Kenna, brother of former Saint Jeff, nodded the third.

After the break New Street refused to give way and with Swayne covering every blade he was involved when both Knight and Dallardo went close. At the other end Ashley Booker was twice denied by Tasker but with 20 minutes left a mistake in the visiting defence let in substitute Jordan Rogers to make it 4-1.

Chances continued at both ends and the Badgers had another disallowed but with the last touch of the match two other subs, Dan Maher and Zac Willis combined for the latter to make it 5-1.

It was hard on New Street who worked hard with the threadbare squad but manager Drury will have to hope that a few more make themselves available tomorrow for the Wessex League Division One game at home to Verwood Town.

Christchurch 3-2 Totton & Eling (Premier Division)

By MARK DUFFY at Hurn Bridge

It was business as usual for Church in a highly entertaining game, they scored early to go one up, conceded two and then came back to claim all 3 points. There was a minute's silence prior to the game in honour of Ernie Stimpson from Poppies who sadly passed away at the weekend and our very own; much missed Steve Bernard on the sixth anniversary of his tragic accident. Church started in the best or possibly the worst way when after Sam Griffin forced a corner taken by Mark Smith, Shaun Brian rose unmarked to head home. However it did not take long for the visitors to be on level terms when on six minutes a right wing cross into the penalty area was not cleared and Craig Feeney netted easily from close range. Mark Smith hit the post for Church shortly after but it was Totton who took the lead after 14 minutes when the lively Feeney took advantage of a poor back pass to finish clinically. It was end to end stuff then with both sides looking likely to score in every attack as on 33 minutes Church nearly equalised after a neat move and then Ben Osborne had a goal disallowed for a foul. However Osborne was not to be denied as after 42 minutes he was fouled in the area and he dispatched the resulting penalty with some aplomb. It was always going to be difficult for the second 45 minutes to be as entertaining as the first but after a shaky first five minutes Church took control with Fairbrother and Griffin prominent on the flanks and the winner came on 65 minutes when after a fine Legg run and cross James Burden netted at the second attempt from 15 yards. Burden should have scored again shortly after when a fine passing movement let him in on goal but he shot tamely at the keeper. The visitors came back strongly in the last 10 minutes but the Church defence held firm and special mention must be made of youngster Dan Thompson making his debut out of position who overcame a shaky start to produce a fine performance. This win moves Church up to 4th place with games in hand and an important match this weekend against Hamworthy who themselves are enjoying a fine season. Manager Graham Kemp can take great heart from the fact that he was without 4 regulars in his starting line-up but the squad members who came in did him proud.

East Cowes Vics 4-1 Team Solent (Division One)

By GARY DAY at Beatrice Avenue

East Cowes were one of three teams tied at the top with 22 points going into this match whilst Team Solent would have joined that group if they could have snatched an away win.

On a fine surface, keepers from both sides were forced to make early saves as Vics Gary Streeter did well to save low from a Scott Kinge shot and at the other end Sam Cousins made a diving save to deny Matt Woods.  Vics took a 16th minute lead when the ball came in from the left, went over a defender, and found Joe Adams to shoot in low from 20 yards.  Mike Wheeler for Solent worked a good position but his shot lacked power whilst Wayne Newnham for Vics struck firm and low and across the visitors goal, the ball going just wide.  Solent levelled on 36 minutes when their skipper Will Tickle made a fine run down the left and crossed to Leo Churms to apply the touch at the near post.  It remained 1-1 at the break.

Vics had a stroke of good fortune three minutes into the second half when what looked to be an intended cross by Adams managed to find its way into the Solent net for his second goal of the night.  Churms was unlucky with a header that clipped the top of the bar whilst Vics were looking much more dangerous on the attack as a Scovell shot went just wide.  Vics added a third goal with ten minutes remaining when a left-wing corner was headed back to the near post where Wayne Newnham shot into the net.  A fourth goal followed on 88 minutes when Scovell fired home from close range.  Streeter then saved a Churms effort but the damage had already been done as Vics went three points clear at the top of the table.  It was a well contested match.

SATURDAY 29TH OCTOBER

Alresford Town 6-0 Hayling United (Premier Division)

By KEITH CURTIS at Arlebury Park

Three goals in the first 16 minutes pointed the way to this badly-needed victory against cellar dwellers Hayling at Arlebury Park on Saturday.  It was Alresford's first league victory since September 20th, when they beat Bournemouth Poppies, and lifted the Magpies to 16th in the table.
Managers Tim Cole and Danny Robinson shuffled the pack, drafting in Graham Bird to operate in front of the back four alongside Jamil Saleh in midfield.  Danilio Cadete, meanwhile, was given a rare start out wide and it was he who was the first on the scoresheet, finishing from close range on 6 minutes following a period of early pressure on the visitors' defence.
The second goal came four minutes later following good work down the left between Mike McEnery and Saleh.  They worked the ball to Dean Cole, who was on hand to stroke the low cross into the bottom corner.
Josh Warren added the third goal on 16 minutes after a long passing move that finished with the midfielder dribbling across the face of the Hayling penalty area before firing into the bottom corner.
After that, the hosts went off the boil and Hayling enjoyed their best spell.  But apart from one clearance off the line by Joe Wright, Chris Waller in the home goal was rarely troubled.
Twenty minutes into the second half Alresford made it 4-0.  Dan Strange, who had just come on as sub, put in some good work down the right and set up Saleh to score. 
With the game now won, the Magpies took the opportunity to bring on their latest signing, Chris Manning.  The midfielder, who has joined from Southern Leaguers Sholing, immediately made a good impression and played a major role in creating Alresford's fifth, which came just a minute after he was introduced.  The goal was headed home by McEnery following a shot by Manning that the keeper fumbled.
The sixth goal came in added time when Warren set up Cole for his second of the match.
Since the start of last season Alresford have now scored 18 goals against Hayling without reply - and they have another league clash later on this season.  Hayling must be especially sick of the sight of Dean Cole, who has scored eight of those goals, including a five-goal spree the last time the two sides met at Hayling College.
Alresford will be able to take some confidence from this result into their midweek home game against Fareham (Tuesday November 1st) before facing Winchester City at Arlebury Park on Saturday (November 5th) for the second time in 14 days.

 

Petersfield Town 1-0 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Love Lane

It took a late goal for Petersfield to beat Spurs, but in truth they were the better side on the day and deserved their victory.  However, things might have been different if a controversial first-half decision had gone the other way.

Town started brightly with slick inerpassing and quick movement while Spurs were giving the ball away far too easily. The home side might well have taken the lead in the first ten minutes when Josh Sheehan hit a fine left-foot shot against the inside of the far post, but the ball bounced away and the Fleet defence managed to scramble it off for a corner.  Petersfield continued on top, and it was against the run of play when after quarter of an hour James Wills ran on to a misplaced pass by a Town defender, rounded keeper Josh Young and slid the ball into the empty net.  However, the referee had spotted a linesman's flag and had blown his whistle for offside.  After consulting the official, he re-started play with a dropped ball, a sure indication that the officials had erred.  Petersfield continued to dominate for the rest of the half and Ryan Bone was forced to make a number of good saves.

After the break, the game was more even with chances at both ends, though Petersfield continued to play the tidier football and Bone remained much the busier keeper.  It looked as if Spurs might hold out, but ten minutes from the end, the referee adjudged that a Fleet defender had tripped Nick Darke just outside the box, and defender Greg Parker placed the free-kick accurately to Bone's left and into the corner of the net to secure the victory.

To Spurs' credit, they were missing a number of first-choice players and battled hard throughout the game.  They have now fallen from fourth to eighth in this very tight league.  Next Saturday they entertain Warminster Town at Southwood (kick-off 3.00).

TUESDAY 25TH OCTOBER

New Milton Town 1-2 Bournemouth Poppies (Premier Division)

By MATT RICHBELL at Fawcetts Field

In the Premier Division on Tuesday night, BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES produced a dramatic late come back to win 2-1 away at NEW MILTON TOWN. The hosts started brightly and went ahead after just five minutes when Callum Tanner's deflected effort nestled into Max Frampton's goal. New Milton maintained good possession and had an opportunity to extend their lead further when Tom Donaldson picked up the ball, took on several Poppies defenders and had his 20-yard effort tipped round the post. Poppies began to come back into the game in the Second half but not before Alex Baldacchino had a shot pushed over the crossbar. Jon Blake, Jake Rowley and Fawzi Saadi all came close for the visitors before Baldacchino again had an effort for the hosts. With five minutes remaining, Jake Rowley won Poppies a corner which was flicked goalbound and an unmarked Kayne Daish headed home to make it 1-1. In the dying stages of the match, the ball broke free in the box and Dave Ewen smashed the ball in, much to the delight of the visiting supporters. To compound the hosts' misery, Nathan Bailey was dismissed for a second bookable offence late on.

Romsey Town 3-3 Fawley AFC (Premier Division)

By CAMERON MELLING at the Bypass Ground

Romsey Town were looking for revenge as they took on the side that had already knocked them out of the FA Vase this season—Fawley AFC. On a cold and foggy Tuesday night the sides lined up with only a point separating them in the league. The game started rather uneventful until Romsey won a corner. Jake Long floated the corner across and after a scramble including the ball being hacked off the line, it eventually found its way to Macs Sampays who drilled in the rebound.  Romsey know were on the front foot and Fawley just could not get on the ball and soon Romsey doubled their lead with a spectacular strike. After some scrappy play on the halfway line the ball finally bounced through to Simon De'ath who fresh from a hat-trick at the weekend unleashed a ferocious strike from around 30 yards which dipped perfectly over the stranded Fawley goalkeeper to put Romsey 2-0 up and was De'ath's 15th goal of the season.  The game continued in a similar fashion until the end of the half with Romsey well on top but unable to extend their lead. At half time it was Romsey 2-0 Fawley. The second half started like the first with neither side really dominating possession until Fawley won themselves a corner. The ball was whipped into the near post and expertly flicked into the near corner of the goal to give Fawley an unexpected lifeline. This goal gave Fawley the hope that they needed who applied continuous pressure to the Romsey defence and eventually they equalised. A sliced clearance in the Romsey defence allowed Fawley to break and have a shot from around 20 yards out. The shot skidded off the slick Bypass turf and Romsey ‘keeper Matthew Brown could only parry for a Fawley striker to pounce on the rebound to make the game 2-2.  Fawley were now all over Romsey who were struggling to get a foothold on the game and continued to bombard the Romsey goal with shots. An attack on the left wing from Fawley managed to give them the lead when Romsey defender Richard Hayter was adjudged to have brought down the Fawley striker in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and the penalty was converted by Sam Wiltshire to give Fawley the lead for the first time.  Things didn't get much better for Romsey as with only minutes to go centre back Jamie Thoroughgood was sent off for a second bookable offence. The game looked like it would end in Romsey's first defeat in 5 matches until deep into stoppage time Ben White broke into the opposition's box and was hauled down by a Fawley defender. The referee again pointed to the spot and this time Ryan Long smashed home the penalty to get a draw for Romsey and continue their unbeaten run to 6. Full time score: Romsey Town 3-3 Fawley.

TUESDAY 18TH OCTOBER

Alresford Town 0-3 Bemerton Heahh Harlequins (Premier Division)

By ROBERT EVERETT at Alrebury Park

Three goals in five minutes were the heart of a power-packed first half performance from Bemerton Heath Harlequins which left them level on points with Wessex Premier League leaders Winchester City and Alresford fourth from bottom.
The home side were again missing key players - only five of the starting line-up had played in the corresponding away fixture. And they were blown away by the pace and precision their Wiltshire opponents showed in the final third of the field.
Alresford must have wondered what had hit them as Joe Sanger hit the post, and Kane O'Keefe and Dan Young had efforts well parried by Chris Waller in the first eight minutes.
Ironically, it was just as the Bemerton whirlwind seemed to have blown itself out that the visitors opened the scoring, with Waller unlucky after parrying Neil Williams' fierce drive that Williams was able to follow up with a neat clipped finish to score.
A minute later, Sanger followed up Jack Slade's shot to score after one touch passing had carved the home side open again. And four minutes after that, a defensive mix-up led to Bemerton's third, Sanger capitalising ruthlessly to make it 3-0.
As Bemerton's pace slackened, Alresford's tenacity gave them a toe-hold in the game, and only a fine tip over by Fred Toomer from Ash Ledger's curled shot denied them a goal before half time.
The second half saw Bemerton hit the bar twice in the first five minutes, but once that early whirlwind had blown itself out, Alresford came increasingly into the match.
Adie De La Nougerede, Dan Strange, Ash Ledger and Joe Wright in particular dug deep to take the game to the visitors. But the end product was sadly lacking, and Alresford failed to score for the first time this season.
Bemerton will go close to the title this season - Alresford must regain some form urgently with the leaders Winchester coming to call in the FA Vase on Saturday.

SATURDAY 15TH OCTOBER

Alresford Town 2-2 New Milton Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Alrebury Park

Lowly New Milton came from behind twice to pinch a point at Arlebury Park in an untidy game that neither side really deserved to win.

Alresford gave a debut to their latest signing, centre-back Steve Llewellyn.  The big man, who joined this week from Hamworthy United, immediately looked at home in the middle of the home defence, with his dominating presence enabling him to win more than his fair share of aerial duels.  But it was the visitors who were first to threaten, Alex Baldacchino crossing for Marc Holland to head straight into the waiting arms of Magpies keeper Chris Waller.
The hosts had a decent chance to open the scoring on 14 minutes, when Mike McEnery's pull-back found Dan Strange in space at the far post.  But Strange hooked his shot across the face of goal, where the onrushing Warren Bentley somehow bundled it past the post from just a couple of yards out.
Alresford took the lead on the half-hour mark.  This time McEnery picked out Bentley with a penetrating diagonal ball, and although New Milton keeper Stuart Amey parried Bentley's first effort the ball fell invitingly for the midfielder to poke home at the second attempt.
But the hosts were only in front for a couple of minutes.  With the defence backing off a shot from the edge of the box deflected crazily into the air, and Callum Tanner managed to flick his header over the advancing Waller and, eluding the attentions of two defenders on the line, the ball bounced on into the net.
The Magpies were back in front on 36 minutes with the goal of the game.  Josh Warren picked up possession on the left wing, cut inside and aimed a perfect curling shot across goal that curved gently into the top corner of the net, leaving Amey helpless.
The visitors had a good chance to equalize two minutes before the break, but the chance fell to a defender, Tom Barge, who screwed his shot wide of the left-hand post.
The second half started quietly, which is just the way Alresford wanted it.  Warren on the left was Alresford's main attacking threat; he had a good run on 51 minutes that ended with a shot straight at Amey, who then blocked Warren's shot after good work by Dean Cole.
At the other end, Marc Holland's pass sent Tanner racing clear, but Waller was out to force the striker wide and the alert Llewellyn was on hand to tidy up and clear the danger.
At that stage Alresford looked the more likely to go on and put the game to bed.  Strange made it to the byeline on the right and slipped the ball across to the onrushing Jamil Saleh.  But he struck his shot almost too well, and with lightning reactions Amey fingertipped the ball over the bar to safety.
On 70 minutes New Milton equalized.  Ian Proctor, who was posing more and more of a threat with his forays down the right, won possession and flighted his cross to the far post, where Baldacchino nodded it home.
Both sides continued to press as time wore on, but with tiredness setting in there were few chances of note.  Alresford probably had the best opportunity to snatch a winner when Bentley fired wide after Saleh and McEnery did the spadework.  But in the end a point apiece was a just reward for the hard-working efforts of two honest sets of players.

Amesbury Town 2-2 Ringwood Town (Division One)

By MARK HILTON at Bonnymead Park

Amesbury twice fought back to earn a point at home to struggling Ringwood Town.
A goal in each half from Jason Bates and Nathan Jones in response to two from Ringwood's  Martin Edwards sealed a point for the Blues. With Ryan Jones  suspended and Tyler Brockway, Luke Scott injured and Myles Gorey working Blues were forced to make changes. Gareth Horner moved to centre back and Connor Palmer came in at right back. Tom Western returned to midfield with Darren Crook coming in up front.
Amesbury started strongly with a Craig Wheeler cross cleared only as far as Tom Western who smashed the ball wide.  On 12 minutes a poor defensive clearance only found former Blues midfielder, Lukasz Labedski , who set up Martin Edwards . He managed to get a touch on the ball but  it went over the bar , Edwards then capitalised on a defensive mix up but his shot at an open goal went wide. Amesbury came back when Nathan Jones crossed from the right and Darren Crook shot over. Nathan Bates then got down the right and his cross shot was palmed away by Tom Taylor in the Ringwood goal before Craig Wheeler could touch the ball home.
On 24 minutes   a Gareth Horner free kick found Darren Crook but again the striker saw his shot miss the target. On the half hour Dan Morell's free kick deflected off the wall and Harrison did well to adjust and save, but on 38 minutes they took the lead when Scott Hole crossed into Edwards who was unmarked and able to coolly place the ball giving Harrison no chance.
Four minutes later Amesbury were level when Darren Crook sent Craig Wheeler down the left and his perfect cross found Jason Bates who powerfully headed into the top corner.
The second half started with Ringwood attacking with a Peter Clark half volley wide and 6 minutes in they regained the lead when a defensive header put Edwards clear in space and again he made no mistake. 1-2 Four minutes later Morrell shot over  and then on the hour Phil Midson got down the right and came inside and shot but Harrison got across to stop the shot before it crept in the far corner.  Ringwood continue to look for the killer third goal and good work by Labedski set up Josh Brown  but he shot wide with Harrison beaten. Amesbury then started create some chances. On 63 minutes Craig Wheeler went on a good run and crossed to Crook but under pressure he fired over. On 74 minutes Edwards shot from inside the box but Harrison was able to save with his feet. Amesbury got their equaliser on 79 minutes when Jason Bates did well on the right side of the box and crossed in for Nathan Jones to slot home his 7th goal of the season. Amesbury then had a period where they had chances to win the game. Jones setting up Bates but his shot was saved by Taylor and a corner which came out to Jones whose shot just went over. Three minutes from time a challenge by Morrell create some upset and the resulting disagreement saw Morrell sent off for an apparent use of the head whilst Connor Palmer received a yellow card for his part in the fracas. It was a shame because the game had been keenly contested and played in a good spirit.  A minute from time Bates played in Craig Wheeler and he hit over the bar. In injury time Bates went on a good run and shot over but it would have been harsh on Ringwood had they lost

SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER

Amesbury Town 0-0 Westbury United (4-5 on pens, Wiltshire Senior Cup)

By MARK HILTON at Bonnymead Park

There was Wiltshire Senior Cup heartache for Amesbury as they lost this tight cup tie 4-5 on a penalty shoot out.  The game was fairly even but  Danny Harrison the busier of the two keepers making three good saves including a penalty in the 2nd half. Jason Bates nearly scored two minutes from time but Westbury United keeper, Alex Shaftoe made a good save to push the ball over for a corner. Westbury lost Luke Stanley when he was sent off in injury time but Amesbury were unable to capitalise in extra time and although they had a chance at 4-4 to win the tie Shaftoe saved Amesbury's fifth penalty to send it into sudden death. Westbury scored but Shaftoe again saved to take Westbury through.

Fleet Spurs 0-2 Whitchurch United (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Kennels Lane

Spurs were well beaten by a very good Whitchurch side, who thoroughtly merited their victory and preserved their unbeaten leaguer record for this season.
The game started with both sides playing some lively football, but the visitors soon established dominance as they settled into a pattern of quick and enterprising attacks .  However, a mixture of poor finishing by Whitchurch, resolute defending by Fleet, some excellent saves by Ryan Bone, and a large slice of luck somehow kept the score-sheet blank until the interval.
After the break, United continued to dominate, though Spurs began to come more into the game.  Just when it seemed that Fleet might gain an unlikely point, Whitchurch at last scored, sub Brett Denham fastening on to a free-kick by Zac Reynolds before sliding the ball to Bone's left and into the corner of the net.  Five minutes from the end, Denham put the game to bed when he flicked the ball over Spurs' defence before finishing with a cool shot into the same corner.
After the game, manager Andy Hunt conceded that the better side had won.  He said "Whitchurch are the best side we've played this season, and if they keep up this sort of form, not many sides will finish above them."  Fleet drop to seventh in the league, and next Saturday make their second journey in a month across the Solent, this time to visit East Cowes Vics (kick-off 3.00).

Newport (IOW) 4-1 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at St. George's Park

Jared Wetherick's hat-trick sent the Magpies home empty-handed from their trip to the Isle of Wight after a lacklustre performance in a game which the home side fully deserved to win. 
Alresford were missing Simon Everett, Ashley Ledger and Stuart Mott as well as long-term absentees James Davis and Warren Bentley, and struggled in all areas of the field to match the home side.  Newport's superiority was most marked at the Alresford end of the pitch, where AFC Totton-bound winger John McKie caused plenty of problems with his trickery and balance, while Tom McInnes held the ball up well and the big man Wetherick continually found himself in the right places to test visiting keeper Chris Waller.
Waller had a good game, but bore some responsibility for the first goal, which came on 21 minutes - shortly after Mike McEnery had nearly given Alresford the lead against the run of play.  The keeper failed to gather one of McKie's right-wing crosses, and Wetherick hooked the loose ball over his own shoulder and into the net via the base of the post.
McKie was the architect of the second goal, on 37 minutes.  This time he cut inside and released an inch-perfect pass that Ross Gregory was able to control in his stride and beat Waller with a crisp low shot.
Josh Warren and Dean Cole then combined to set McEnery up for a volley on goal, but he failed to hit the target when that was probably all he needed to do to bring it back to 2-1.
Alresford enjoyed plenty of possession early in the second half, but couldn't make much of it.  Their hopes of a point were dashed on 65 minutes when, from a quick break, Wetherick strode through the middle to beat Waller and make it 3-0.
The Magpies managed to keep their record of scoring in every game intact, McEnery running on to Adie de la Nougerede's headed through ball to fire beneath the diving Cameron Farley on 72 minutes.  But eight minutes from time Wetherick put the seal on the hosts' win by finishing a knock-down clinically from the edge of the box.
The last few minutes were notable for the introduction of Alresford's new signing, goalkeeper Stacey Harper.  He played a brief cameo at right back when James Eyles limped off with a knock, but by then the result was no longer in doubt.

 

Romsey Town 2-0 Rozel Rovers (Hampshire Senior Cup)

By JOHN GORMAN at the Bypass Ground

Rozel Rovers from Jersey made their second trip to the mainland in this season's Hampshire Senior Cup, but having been victorious at Brading in the first round they found Romsey too strong at the By-Pass ground and went down by two goals to nil, a result that in the end was a true reflection of the afternoon. The home side started the brighter with Ryan Long having a shot blocked - appeals for a penalty were rightly turned down - and in the next attack visiting goalkeeper James Keating dropped a Macs Sampay cross and needed treatment after re-claiming the loose ball from a forest of feet. Rozel responded with a superb Steve Wilkinson pass inside the full back only for Aaron Maynard to shoot rather weakly into the side netting and when Wilkinson then sent Scott Healy clear the winger rounded the keeper only to see his shot from an acute angle blocked at the near post by Luke Baker. Not surprisingly after the bright opening the first goal came fairly quickly, just inside the quarter hour mark, when Simon De'Ath and Ryan Long combined neatly on the left and the latter ‘s shot flew past Keating and into the far corner. Dave Ibbotson was just wide for the visitors but Romsey were looking the more threatening with Ryan Long seeing another effort blocked by the keeper's legs and Baker's shot being turned round the post. The ever dangerous Wilkinson was just too high with a lob and then sent Jack Gibbs clear forcing Romsey goalkeeper Matt Brown to go down at the forward's feet to save before Romsey doubled their lead in the 32nd minute. Chris Hall burst into the area in pursuit of a De'Ath through ball, the challenge was mis-timed and Ryan Long coolly slotted home the resultant penalty. Jake Long's free kick from the corner of the area was well saved by Keating and after persistence by Maynard had created a chance for Healy which was blocked the half ended with Jake Long again being acrobatically denied by Keating. Keating started the second half as he had finished the first, superbly tipping a Baker header round the post and then claiming a corner in a crowded six yard box. It was a strong start by the home side and after Ryan Long was inches too high Keating held a Sampays shot at the second attempt. Rozel's efforts to push themselves forward were too often foiled by the offside flag though Brown had to get down smartly to deny Tom McAlister when the flag did stay down. Ryan Long was stopped by a superb challenge by Rozel skipper Carl Scott, a powerful figure in the visiting defence all afternoon, and after Wilkinson had been stopped by weight of numbers a quick Romsey break ended with Ryan Long shooting inches wide. Brown confidently held a difficult looking cross and a neat Romsey move ended with Sampays's cross being missed by friend and foe alike as it flew through the six yard box. Both sides were making full use of their substitutes with Rozel's Andy McCabe receiving a long lecture for dissent almost as soon as he entered the field before Scott moved forward to send a header wide from a corner. Rozel were now throwing caution to the wind as they attempted to rescue the tie and the home side rather wasted a breakaway when the attackers well outnumbered the defence. Rozel's McAlister collected the only caution of a splendidly contested game and the visitors were denied the goal they perhaps deserved when Healy fastened on to a long throw but slid the ball past Brown and the outside of the far post in what was the last goal scoring chance of the ninety minutes.

Team Solent 2-1 Andover New Street (Division One)

By GARY DAY at the Silverlake Stadium

This was Team Solent's very first ‘home' match in the Sydenhams League but it was played at the borrowed ground of Eastleigh FC. Team Solent had the better of the first half proceedings with Adam Gray twice going close as the students pressed hard for the opening goal.  This duly arrived in the 41st minute when Scott Kinge ran into space to head home a Will Tickle right-wing corner from close range.  A second goal followed in first half stoppage time when Solent were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out in a central area, Leo Churms hit the direct kick firm and low and into the visitors net. The experienced Stuart Anderson was dominant at the back for Andover New Street but he was also proving to be a threat to the students defence at set-pieces, particularly when his dangerous downward header forced Solent defender Scott Bonner to concede a corner.  From that flag kick the referee noticed that Anderson was prevented from jumping for a header by a defender and awarded a penalty kick which Bobby Swayne successfully converted in the 49th minute.  Play was fairly even from there and both sides had chances, the two goalkeepers having to make good saves, notably Solent's Sam Cousins denying Dan Sullivan and Street keeper Dave Tasker keeping out successive shots from Mike Wheeler. In the end, Solent just deserved to edge their win in what appears to be the only game they need to play at the Eastleigh FC ground, as they have no further home games scheduled until their move to Test Park takes effect on 5th November.

TUESDAY 4TH OCTOBER

Fareham Town 4-2 Alresford Town (AET) (Hampshire Senior Cup Second Round)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Cams Alders

Alresford were knocked out of the Hampshire Senior Cup on an acrimonious evening at Cams Alders after extra time.  It was a game in which the referee seemed to spend almost as much time blowing his whistle and lecturing the players as he did allowing the game to proceed.
With Alresford looking far from their best Fareham took the lead on 10 minutes when Ash Tattersall's short pass gave Mick Dark a clear shot on goal.  He bundled the ball home at the second attempt after initially appearing to get the ball stuck under his feet.
The Magpies equalized on 34 minutes through Dean Cole, who rifled the ball home left-footed on the run when Joe Wright sent him running through the inside-left channel.  But Fareham restored their advantage in the stroke of half-time when Graham Bird's underhit back-pass presented Tattersall with a simple chance.
The second half featured plenty of pressure from the visitors but few chances and woeful finishing.  Fareham seemed to have the game under control and ran down the clock effectively, but in the dying seconds of normal time Alresford pulled it back to 2-2.  Danilio Cadete made a lightning run down the left and squared for fellow sub Mike Broughton, whose shot took a wicked deflection that gave home keeper Adam Redman no chance.
Alresford looked the more likely winners for the first half of extra time, but the closest they came was when Cole headed James Eyles's cross against the bar.  But after that the tide turned, and Fareham also hit the crossbar from a right-wing corner.
The second half of extra time proved decisive.  First, Tattersall fed Tambling, who made it 3-2 to the hosts after another defensive error by Bird.  The big centre-back then compounded his misery by picking up a second yellow card for pulling back Tambling.
The hosts finally made the game safe two minutes from the end when Eyles was adjudged guilty of holding in the box and Wayne Boud slotted home the penalty. 

SATURDAY 1ST OCTOBER

Alresford Town 2-2 Alton Town (Premier Division)

By BOB EVERETT at Arlebury Park

For the second time in four days, the Arlebury Park faithful saw a pulsating 2-2 draw in which a refereeing decision played a key part - but this time the soaring temperature  was also a factor as tired players from both sides lost their cool towards the end of another thriller.
Alresford will count themselves unlucky not to have taken three points from this game after incisive finishing in the first half, and a magnificent defensive performance in the second, particularly from the back four. Adie La Nougerede, Joe Wright, Graham Bird and Danny Edwards have conceded just six goals in the six games they have played as a defensive unit and were resolute yet again.
The match turned on the referee's decision to award a free kick to Alton inside the box after 78 minutes after replacement  keeper Cathel McLean, on a dual registration with Fleet Town, was adjudged to have taken more than six seconds to clear the ball.
It was difficult not to have sympathy with McLean when Ian Dyer smashed the resultant kick past the keeper's left hand  to make it 2-2 - and difficult to condone the torrent of abuse at the referee which saw him sent off as a result.
The heat certainly played its part - he followed three Alton players into the book, all for dissent, as the match boiled over.  It had taken some time to heat up. It took a 17th minute goal from Alton's Conor Fielder after Simba Mlambo's sinuous work on the left to really ignite the home side.
Alresford were level just a minute later when Dan Strange drove home Stuart Mott's mishit shot after a forceful run from Joe Wright.  And they took the lead on 31 minutes when Simon Everett freed the elusive Josh Warren, whose driving run drew a free kick which Warren himself smashed home gleefully from 25 yards.
Alton's second half aerial bombardment and impressive energy had their hosts on the defensive, but Alresford still had good chances, through Strange and Wright, to increase their lead. Tireless work, particularly from Ashley Ledger in midfield, Mott up front, and Edwards at the back - in a rugged battle with Alton striker Steve Brown which saw both players receive head injuries - appeared to have drawn the visitors' sting.
Then came McLean's sending-off, and a thrilling finale in which Bird headed off the line, stand-in keeper Dean Cole held everything that came at him - and Strange might even have snatched an Alresford win.  In the end, a draw had to be enough - but with five regular first teamers unavailable, this was a match which the Magpies may well have lost 12 months ago.
Danny Robinson and Tim Cole's squad is maturing, and the proof is in their current run of four wins and two draws in their last seven games.       

 

Hamworthy United 3-0 Horndean (Premier Division)

By ROGER NICHOLSON at The County Ground

For the second Home game running the Hammers dominated the game, and never really looked in any real danger of even conceding a goal. It was ten minutes from the end of play before Simon Evans had to make a real save. His counterpart Gary Austin however was Horndean's man of the match, and but for him Hamworthy may have had another couple of goals. Aaron Corby returned in mid-field for the unavailable Will Robinson, and Diane Bassiriki made a welcome return to the bench after his long lay off with injury.
The game started at a fair pace on a very hot afternoon with both teams testing each other out. Hamworthy gradually got on top, and Jack Satterley just failed to connect with a dangerous Luke Burbidge pass across the six yard box. As United increased the pressure Horndean were driven further back, and were having difficulty in reaching their sole striker. An Aaron Corby fiercely struck thirty yard volley from a poor clearance was hit straight at the Keeper luckily for the visitors. With thirty one minutes gone Jack Satterley ran into the box went round his man, and brought a good save from the Keeper. The ball ran loose to Luke Burbidge who was following through to find the net, and open the scoring. Greg Horlock headed just over from a corner before the United lead was doubled with an individual goal by Aaron Corby. The Hamworthy mid-fielder went on a run that took him past several Horndean defenders before picking his spot to score his first league goal of the season.
There was no change in the pattern of the game at the start of second half with the Hammers now comfortably on top. Horndean appeared to be more concerned with a damage limitation exercise than trying to score themselves. United deservedly increased their lead even further with a goal very similar to their first one. Jack Satterley once again saw his shot blocked by a reflex save by Austin, and again the ball broke loose. This time it was Lee Wilkins who reacted first to claim his first goal since joining the Hammers. With twenty five minutes still remaining it was only surprising that Hamworthy did not add further to their tally. Keeper Austin once again did well not to give away a penalty when he timed it to perfection his last ditch clearance. He slid in and stuck out his foot to take the ball off the United striker's toe just as he was about to shoot. Horndean's only real effort on target came in the eightieth minute which Simons Evans dived to save comfortably.

United Services Portsmouth 2-1 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at The Victory Stadium

This was a disappointing result for Spurs, though they couldn't really begrudge a skilful USP side the points.  However, it was so nearly a different story.
The game started brightly with Spurs the better team, retaining possession well on the excellent Victory Stadium turf.  Quarter of an hour into the game, James Wills bravely headed the ball on under enormous pressure from a Portsmouth defender, and Martyn Williams lashed the loose ball high into the net.  The game continued to be lively, with both teams attempting to play creative football and there were a number half-chances at either end.  Midway through the half, Services began to get on top, but Spurs probably just about deserved their half-time lead.
The game started after the interval as it had finished and USP began to monopolise possession with neat interpassing and Fleet were struggling to get into the game.  Fortunately for the visitors, Portsmouth lacked a cutting wedge despite all their possession, and with Spurs defending with bravery and determination and young keeper Ryan Bone making some first-class saves, it looked as though they might hold out for what would have been a very hard-fought win.  Apart from a couple of half-chances on the break, which came to nothing, the pressure from USP was incessant and as normal time drew to a close, the defence finally cracked as Russ Stanley powered home a close-range header following a right-wing cross.  Worse was to come for the visitors, as two minutes into stoppage time, Stanley waltzed through the tiring defence, rounded Bone and fired a shot high into the empty net.  Services' celebrations showed how much this victory meant to them.

FRIDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER

Christchurch 0-0 Bemerton Heath Harlequins (Premier Division)

By MATT RICHBELL at Hurn Bridge

Ten-man Bemerton Heath Harlequins survived a second half push from Christchurch to hold out for a 0-0 draw away from home to preserve their lead at the top of the Premier Division table against their nearest rivals. Both sides traded good chances very early on with headers being saved by both Stewart Kearn in the Christchurch goal and Fred Toomer in goal for Bemerton Heath Harlequins. In a fast-paced first-half, the ball was being passed around freely by both sides but there were no real guilt-edged opportunities. On the half-hour, Young came close for the visitors when his header was deflected wide and then Christchurch had a good opportunity but Dan Crutchley's header was saved by Toomer. Young had another opportunity shortly afterwards, but his header was glanced wide from a Joe Sanger delivery.
In the second half, Christchurch began to dominate proceedings with James Burden having a shot straight at the keeper. Bemerton Heath Harlequins then faced an uphill battle when Jack Eves was dismissed for a second bookable offence on the hour mark. A cross struck the crossbar for Christchurch before Bemerton ventured forward and Graham Mankin shot over the crossbar with 20 minutes remaining. Jon Grace had the best chance of the game with ten minutes remaining when he got on the end of a goalbound flick and had an effort well saved from close range. As both sides pushed for a winner, Young had several chances for the visitors. On both occasions he weaved through the Christchurch defence but was denied by Stewart Kearn twice as the game finished 0-0.

TUESDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER

Alresford Town 2-2 Hamworthy United (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Arlebury Park

A rip-roaring game at Arlebury Park on Tuesday night deservedly ended with honours even - in fact you could make a case that both sides deserved more than a single point for their efforts!
With both teams high on confidence after a string of good results, the match kicked off at a high tempo with plenty of energy, pushing and probing, but few scoring chances.
That changed on 11 minutes when Matt Head's pass found Hammers midfielder Lee Wilkins in space, but he fired wide.  Four minutes later it was Alresford's turn to come close, Dean Cole's shot being deflected onto the visitors' crossbar and to safety.
Hamworthy gradually turned up the wick, and took the lead on 36 minutes.  The lively Luke Burbidge ran on to a long ball forward through the inside left channel, and a deft flick with the outside of his right foot sent the ball past Chris Waller and rolling into the net.
On 41 minutes the Magpies equalized.  This time a long punt upfield by Waller was nodded on by Stuart Mott.  Strike partner Cole controlled it and in one movement fired past Shane Murphy from close range.
Alresford looked the more lively side early in the second half.  They edged in front on 49 minutes when Josh Warren, wide on the right, flicked the ball over a defender and Scott Waters reached the byeline to help it on.  Ash Ledger arrived in the six-yard box to send a perfect header into the corner of the Hamworthy net.
Both sides continued to make chances in a helter-skelter game, and the key moment came on 74 minutes when Magpies sub Mike McEnery managed to outpace his marker and, after Murphy had saved at his feet, wriggled on to the rebound.  He appeared to be tripped by Greg Horlock as he looked for a second sight of goal, but amid howls of protest the referee waved ‘play on'.
After that it was perhaps inevitable that the Hammers would draw level again.  That happened on 81 minutes when Horlock rose high at the far post to meet a right-wing corner, and despite desperate efforts to clear the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Hamworthy pressed for the winner, Burbidge and Head combining for Jack Satterley to shoot wide.  But at the other end McEnery got free again only to fire straight at a relieved Murphy.

 

Brockenhurst 2-2 Team Solent (4-1 on pens) (League Cup)

By GARY DAY at Grigg Lane

This hard-fought match went all the way to penalties following a thoroughly entertaining 120 minutes with the sides locked at 2-2. It was hard to believe how the teams left the field at half-time without scoring. Solent started well and chances were created for Jordan Frewin, Adam Gray and Leo Churms that were not taken and Billy Denny headed over when well placed. Brockenhurst gradually got into the game and began to build well in their midfield but they found Solent keeper Barry Squires in good form as he got a touch to a long range Zac Willis effort which was sufficient to deflect the ball onto the bar. Squires also got a hand to a Matthew Malloy header which also came off the goalframe and he then reacted well to block the follow-up shot. Brockenhurst took the lead four minutes after the re-start when Carlo Tate got a neat deflection to a low driven free-kick and leave Squires little chance (1-0). But Solent hit back when Churms shot home after his header had rebounded off the bar in the 54^th minute (1-1). The home team became the more dominant of the sides and they retook the lead on 69 minutes through Richard Morse who poked the ball home after Squires had blocked a shot (2-1). Solent almost levelled when Gray tried a 25 yard effort that was well stopped by Scott O'Rourke in the home side's goal, the save taking the sting off the ball and enabled him to recover to hold as it continued to head goalwards. But Solent hit back a second time when a Will Tickle free-kick was half-cleared into the path of Scott Bonner who lashed home a low 15 yard shot (2-2). With two minutes remaining Brockenhurst lost one of their players who was shown a second yellow card for a foul. The entertainment continued during the extra time period but it was Brockenhurst who took charge and they also created chances, thus belying their man disadvantage. Their efforts included a rasping shot by Malloy that thumped the bar and two further saves by Squires to deny both Morse and Malloy as the score remained 2-2. The students had a good penalty success record in their Hampshire Premier League days but it went wrong for them tonight. O'Rourke saved from Tickle and Darren Wells, as Morse, Ben Sullivan and Malloy netted for the Badgers. Churms scored to retain Solent's flailing hopes and make it 3-1 but Ashley Booker's well-placed kick put the home side through.

SATURDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER

East Cowes Vics 0-4 Alresford Town (FA Vase)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Beatrice Avenue

A mouthwatering First Round Proper tie in the FA Vase at home to local rivals Winchester City is the reward for Alresford's excellent showing - albeit in rather bizarre circumstances - in the Second Qualifying Round on the Isle of Wight on Saturday.
The match was arranged at short notice after Hayling United, who had beaten Vics in the previous round, were expelled from the competition on Thursday for fielding ineligible players.  In accordance with standard procedure Vics were reinstated and Alresford hastily made plans to travel to the Island.
Once there, things continued to go awry.  Kickoff was delayed by seven minutes when the match referee ruled that Magpies keeper Chris Waller would have to remove his ear stud before being allowed to take part.  That proved difficult, but the offending piece of jewellery was eventually removed with a pair of pliers - all in the name of Health and Safety!  The match officials had not found fault with the stud in any of Waller's previous twelve appearances for Alresford this season.
Sanity was restored once the game got under way.  The Magpies proved more than a match for Wessex 1 opponents Vics, and took the lead after just five minutes. Scott Waters exchanged passes with Simon Everett on the right, advanced to the bye-line and sent over the perfect low cross for Dean Cole to tuck away from six yards.   It was Cole's first goal since his return to the club from Blackfield & Langley.
Graham Bird's misplaced header gave Vics a chance to equalize, but Waller forced Matt Evans wide, and the East Cowes man could only strike the upright with his shot.
The Magpies doubled their lead on 41 minutes.  Stuart Mott made good progress on the right, cut in and shot.  Gary Streeter in the home goal saved well, but the loose ball fell to Waters, who had the time and space to control the ball before picking his spot in the bottom corner.
Harsh words in the dressing rooms at half-time indicated that Vics would come out charged up in the second half, but there was little change to the pattern of play.  Waters could have put Alresford three up, but miscued horribly in front of goal.  Joe Wright then instigated a flowing move that ended with Mott putting the ball in the net, but he was offside.
At the other end, Danny Edwards produced a superb tackle to deny the threatening Joe Adams, and a spell of pressure on the visitors' goal prompted by Sam Yelland's run ended when the well-placed Evans poked the ball wide.
Alresford scored their third, effectively making the game safe, on 73 minutes.  Wright sent Josh Warren clear, and although he was tackled on the edge of the box the ball fell conveniently for sub Mike McEnery to round Streeter and find the back of the net from a tight angle.
A fourth goal on 77 minutes put the icing on the cake.  Sub Dan Strange set Ash Ledger free through the inside left channel, and Ledger, adapting well to his new role in central midfield, beat Streeter in a one-on-one.  East Cowes could have snatched a consolation three minutes from time when Wayne Newnham charged down a clearance, but Jordan Browne shot wide of an open goal.

Fleet Spurs 4-0 Amesbury Town (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Kennels Lane

Spurs had an excellent victory against Amesbury on Saturday, following which they have climbed to second place in the league.
Both sides started brightly, and Spurs created the first clear-cut goal chance after eight minutes, but failed to convert it.  Fleet were beginning to get on top, and it was no surprise when after 35 minutes James Chillery, making his comeback for the club after a spell abroad, completed a bout of head tennis in the Amesbury area with a looping header.  Spurs had more chances before half-time, but poor finishing meant that they turned round with a one-goal lead.
After the break, play continued in the same vein with Spurs making a number of good chancers, but being foiled buy a mixture of determined Town defence and their own  finishing.  Then midway through the half, James Wills made an elusive run down the left and crossed for Tom Chillery to slide the ball home with an accurate left-foot finish.  Ten minutes later, Tom made it three for the Chillery brothers when he powered a free-kick off the inside of the far post and into the net. Martyn Williams almost immediately ensured a different name on the scoresheet when he scored with a fine long-range shot that dipped just under the bar.  Amesbury had been coming more into the game as Spurs relaxed, but good saves by home keeper Ryan Bone and some bad luck with woodwork meant that the visitors remained scoreless.
This was a very good performance by Spurs, who despite missing a number of regular players are continuing to improve each game.  They entertain Camberley Town in the Aldershot and District FA Cup on Tuesday (Southwood: kick-off 7.45).  On Saturday they visit United Services Portsmouth, who will be thirsting for revenge following their defeat by Fleet in the first game of the season - kick-off 3.00 at the Victory Stadium.

Hamworthy United 4-0 Newport IOW (Premier Division)

By ROGER NICHOLSON at the County Ground

This was Hamworthy United's first ever win over the Islanders, and an emphatic one it was. The Hammers were in control of the game from start to finish, and with a bit more luck the winning margin could have been even greater. New signing Simon Evans made his debut Home appearance in goal, and Michael White was not available for the game. This meant a reshuffle at the back with Dan Haysom reverting back to the central defender position, and Sam Lockyer taking his place at left back.
It did not take United long to get on top, and take the game to the opposition. With only six minutes gone Luke Burbidge was tripped as he jinxed his way into the box. Despite Luke staying on his feet the Referee awarded the penalty. The same player duly took the spot kick, slotting the ball past Cameron Farley into the corner of the net. Hamworthy kept up the pressure, and were awarded a series of corners. From these Aaron Corby just missed the post, and Stuart Cannie got the direction, but not the power with his header to beat the Keeper. Greg Horlock just shot wide from a corner, and Carl Yelland had his shot tipped over by Farley. At the other end Newport were finding it difficult to penetrate the Hamworthy defence, giving Simon Evans a relatively quiet fist half in goal. With just one minute of the half remaining, and looking as if the deficit at the beak might only be one, Newport conceded again. Jack Satterley had already hit the bar once before he hit it again. This time the ball dropped at the feet of Dan Haysom who stabbed the ball home from close range.
HT 2-0
The pattern of the second half continued as the first with United on top and Newport struggling to make any real impression on the game. Burbidge continued to bother the Newport defence with his runs. One of his low crosses to the far post was met by Cannie who just shot wide. Almost an exact copy of the move in the 55th minute saw Stuart Cannie find the back of the net this time to increase the lead. For the first time in the game United keeper Evans came under a bit of pressure, but his long punch away soon relieved the danger. With a minute of the game remaining the Hammers were awarded a second penalty. Cannie and a Newport defender both fell in a heap together as they tussled for the ball. This would have gone unpunished had the Islander not prevented Cannie from getting up by grabbing hold of him. This was spotted by the Referee, who much to the annoyance of the Newport players and bench awarded the penalty. Stuart Cannie in the absence of the substituted Burbidge made no mistake with the spot kick.

Pewsey Vale 0-0 Devizes Town (Division One)

By JEFF MATTHEWS at The Recreation Ground

Pewsey Vale and Devizes Town fought out  this match that was all square at 90 minute and went into extra time. The match was at times very physical with several players being shown the yellow card. The match was to flow from end to end with both sides having chances to sew up the match in the 90 minutes.
The Vale's Micky Martin had a goal bound shot cleared of the goal line on 11 minutes, then Devizes went through a good spell but was unable to convert their chances into goals. Another good chance fell for Martin, who twisted and turned the Devizes defence, but his final shot landed on the top of the net. Then Ricky Swatton could have put the Vale into the break in the lead, but he hit the side netting.
The second half was to continue going from end to end, but a corner from the Town's Darren Smart into the box found Richard Gee at the far post, but his shot was deflected past post for a corner kick. A free kick for Devizes just outside the box was lifted over the Pewsey defensive wall by Blain Fitzgerald, with Town players appealing for a corner kick.
It took some great defending by the Vale defence to deny the visitors from snatching the win in the final minutes, but the game was destined to go into the extra time.
The following 30 minutes did not give either side many chances but another great save by Payne was again to deny Devizes that final chance and it's now a replay at Devizes on  Tuesday night 27th September before this local derby FA Vase will see a winner.

SATURDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER

Amesbury Town 1-2 Team Solent (Division One)

By MARK HILTON at Bonnymead Park

Amesbury suffered a narrow defeat at home to newly promoted Team Solent at Bonnymead Park.
The early exchanges were even with Team Solent's Adam Gray hitting the side netting and for Amesbury both Nathan Jones and Craig Wheeler saw their free kicks fail to trouble Student keeper Barry Squires.  The University team took the lead on 21 minutes when Leo Churms tapped home from 6 yards from a corner resulting after Danny Harrison had made a smart save.
Amesbury reacted positively and Nathan Jones shot wide, Craig Wheeler's left sided cross was put behind for a corner and then Tyler Brockway set up Nathan Jones but he sliced he shot wide.
Despite the  home pressure it was the visitors who increased their lead on 37 minutes when a cross from the left was headed home by Adam Gray despite Danny Harrison getting a hand to ball.
The early second half chances fell to Team Solent with Will Tickle shooting wide and then over the bar after a goalmouth scramble .
Amesbury got back in the game on 62 minutes when a good ball down the right by Tyler Brockway found Darren Crook and he got round the defence to cross for top scorer , Nathan Jones, who fired home.
Amesbury tried to get an equaliser and Craig Wheeler got down the left and put a decent cross in but no one was able to put that final touch on the ball and it went wide.
Team Solent could have increased their lead on 75 minutes when Leo Churms ‘ shot was saved by the diving Danny Harrison. A minute later the visitors looked certain to score , a goal mouth scramble saw Harrison make a couple of important blocks. Team Solent claimed that the ball had crossed the line but Harrison had just managed to keep the ball out.  On 79 minutes a Solent free kick was headed goal-wards by Darren Wells but Danny Harrison flew across his goal to palm the ball away.
Amesbury were unable to respond and two minutes into injury time an attacking free kick from Craig Wheeler found Tom Western who was shown his second yellow card for handball.

Cowes Sports 0-1 Fleet Spurs (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at The Recreation Ground

Spurs got back to winning ways on Saturday with their first-ever victory against Cowes Sports.  As always with games between these clubs, the game was close and fought with determination on both sides.
Fleet started brightly and only an excellent save from home keeper Chris Norris prevented Martyn Williams giving the visitors the lead in the second minute with a well-placed lob from well outside the area.  For the remainder of the first half, defences were on top, snuffing out any danger at its first sign, and the game was predictably scoreless at the break.
After the interval, play continued in the same vein with few goal chances at either end though 16-year-old Fleet keeper Ryan Bone defied Cowes with a number of splendid saves each time they threatened to score.  However, the deadlock was broken on the hour mark when after a good move down Spurs' left involving James Wills, Williams put in a fine cross which Aaron Jessavala met first-time and hammered the ball on to the inside of the far post and into the net for his first goal for the club.  Bone had to make a couple more saves, but there was to be no repetition of last season's game when the Yachtsmen turned round a one-goal deficit, scoring twice in the last three minutes.  This time, Spurs held out without too much difficulty.
Every Spurs player gave his utmost throughout the game, but special mention should be made of Alex Pickering who was playing his first-ever game at centre-back and slotted in beside skipper Chris Musgrove as if he had a lifetime's experience in the position.
This was an good performance and an excellent result for Spurs, who are still a developing side.  They move up to fourth in the table, with a game in hand on the teams above.  They entertain Amesbury Town at Southwood on Saturday - kick-off 3.00.

Fareham Town 2-1 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Cams Alders

Alresford launched a rousing second-half comeback at Cams Alders on Saturday, but defensive shortcomings in the first half had, in effect, already cost them the points.  In the end Warren Bentley's late penalty was just a consolation prize for a Magpies side that have scored in every game so far this season but have been shipping alarming amounts of water at the other end.
James Eyles made his first start of the season at right back as Alresford kicked off with the benefit of a gale at their backs.  But it was a sluggish start from the visitors, and Fareham took full advantage with a goal in the fourth minute.  A throw-in on the right was nodded on at the near post and, with the Magpies defence at sixes and sevens, fell at the feet of Rob Tambling on the six-yard line.  The unmarked Fareham sharpshooter found the top right corner of the net with ease.
Alresford almost struck back immediately when Tom Riddell nipped in to stop Matt Jones' back-header from reaching his keeper, Luke Douglas.  But Riddell's volley blazed over the bar.  Douglas then saved well as Riddell shot again, this time following a neat run and cut inside from Josh Warren.
At the other end Magpies keeper Chris Waller made a fine save with his legs after a penetrating Creeksiders attack featuring Wayne Boud and Jack Kirby.  But he blotted his copybook on 23 minutes when another set-piece on the right was flicked on.  This time Tambling shot from 18 yards and Waller seemed to have it covered, but the ball squirmed from his grasp and the keeper was left to watch, mortified, as it trickled into the net for Fareham's second goal.
Ollie Warren was the next Fareham player to be presented with some shooting practice by slack marking, but fortunately for Alresford he hooked his effort well wide.
In the second half Alresford, with the wind now in their faces, fared rather better.  Riddell fired wide twice before Fareham enjoyed a spell building up the pressure, which was only relieved when Rob Pittman shot speculatively over the bar.
The alarm bells were ringing again when home subs Ash Tattersall and Sean Dark combined to good effect, but Waller saved well again with his legs before Pittman skyed another shot well over the bar.
Alresford brought on Dean Cole to strengthen their attack, and almost at once he hit the base of the left hand post with a shot that lacked power but was nearly perfect for direction.
Then, on 76 minutes, the Magpies were awarded a penalty when Warren Bentley was brought down by Fareham left-back Lawrence Wall - who was incensed at the decision.  But Bentley was unfazed and picked himself up to bury the spot-kick for his tenth goal of the season in all competitions.
That could have been the signal for a real grandstand finish, but in the last few minutes Fareham were on top.  Waller again did well, this time to deny Tom Winzar, while Danny Edwards contributed a well-timed block to keep Wall out.  The game ended with a tricky Riddell lob that Douglas caught on the goal-line, keeping his balance when falling backwards would have been very costly.
Alresford are in Sydenhams Wessex Premier action again on Tuesday night (Sep 20th) at home to Bournemouth.  Next Saturday they travel to Hayling United for an FA Vase Second Qualifying Round tie.

 

TUESDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER

Alresford Town 2-0 Hayling United (Hampshire Senior Cup)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Arlebury Park

The Magpies began their foray in the Hampshire Senior Cup with a stylish 2-0 win over old rivals Hayling on Tuesday night at Arlebury Park.
Mike McEnery missed out with a hip injury and was replaced by Tom Riddell, while Josh Warren regained his starting berth at the expense of Danilio Cadete.  But otherwise managers Tim Cole and Danny Robinson kept faith with the side that had beaten Downton 4-2 in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier on Saturday.
Alresford didn't take long to get into their stride, and were soon laying siege to the Hayling goal.  As early as the first minute Josh Warren's penetrating cross required a sharp clearance to prevent a tap-in.  But with five minutes played Tom Riddell was set free in the inside left channel by Warren Bentley's incisive pass, and he beat Lloyd Patilla in the visitors' goal to put the Magpies one up.
The midfield quartet of Bentley, Warren, Simon Everett and Ash Ledger were at their creative best, and a string of openings followed.  Riddell had a shot saved by Patilla, Ledger's effort was cleared off the line, and a venomous Everett drive rattled the left hand post as Alresford piled on the pressure. 
The Magpies were rewarded on 23 minutes when Stuart Mott met a right wing cross at the near post, and his low drive had too much power for Patilla, who could only help it into the net.  It was Mott's first goal for Alresford.
2-0 could have been the signal for the floodgates to open, but Hayling dug deep and were able to keep the hosts at bay for the rest of the game.  In the second half, in particular, they were able to create chances of their own.  From a free-kick the unmarked Dan Martin volleyed over the bar when well placed, and with ten minutes left sub Scott Thornton produced a flicked header that shaved the post, but home keeper Chris Waller was not as busy as his opposite number.
Alresford attempted to crank up the pressure again, but fell foul of the offside flag too often.  Their best chance came when Cadete's through ball sent Mott through one-on-one with Patilla, but the visiting keeper bravely blocked the shot at the edge of his penalty area.

Hartley Wintney 7-2 Team Solent (Hampshire Senior Cup)

By GARY DAY at the Memorial Ground

Team Solent's debut match in the Hampshire Senior Cup ended with a heavy defeat at Combined Counties League Division 1 side Hartley Wintney who built up a resounding 3-0 lead in the opening seven minutes.  This meant the students were chasing the game thereafter but, despite a gallant effort from an impossible position, the damage had been done.

Solent defended poorly and allowed Hartley Wintney too much space as Luke Pearson gave them a second minute lead, knocking the ball over the line after a header had rebounded off the bar.  Within a minute Hartley went two ahead when Dean Peltohaka was allowed space on the right apex to pick his spot in the top far corner.  It got worse for Solent when Ben Dillon had time to place the ball low into the far corner.  Solent settled from there and began to play the ball around but the home side got number four on 18 minutes when Jack Coventry was left time to strike a left-foot effort into the Solent net.  Solent got one back when Luke Williams' free-kick caught a wicked deflection off a home defender for an own goal to make the score 4-1 with 21 minutes on the clock.  The goals didn't stop there as Ben Dillon netted an excellent turning effort from a Ryan Stevens cross, but then within a further minute, a Ross Cheetham knock brought a chance for Williams who netted at the second attempt for Solent after home keeper Dan Tillson had blocked his first effort.  The score was now 5-2 with only 32 minutes played, but a rather forgettable half for the visitors (not helped by having to use two of their substitutes due to injuries) ended without further concession.

Solent keeper Barry Squires made two good saves in the second half but the students also enjoyed their fair share of possession too, their closest attempt coming when Mike Wheeler battled well to create a chance but Tillson saved.  Two further goals came for Hartley in the final ten minutes, netted by Stevens (seizing on a defensive slip from a counter-attack to get past Squires and score) and Jermaine Hamilton (who looked suspiciously offside before shooting home) to make the final outcome 7-2 in Hartley Wintney's favour.

Team Solent's first excursion in this competition therefore proved to be very brief and rather forgettable experience.

Pewsey Vale 2-0 Corsham Town (FA Vase Replay)

By KERRY MILLER at the Recreation Ground

First Division Pewsey Vale set up another all-Wiltshire tie in the next round of the FA Vase when they edged past Western League Premier Division Corsham Town on Tuesday night.It was a battling performance from Pewsey who were under the cosh for the majority of the game and keeper Richard Payne was a busy man making a number of saves behind his overworked back line.It all looked as if it would be straight forward inside two minutes as an unmarked David Cope nodded home a corner but Corsham roared back and Payne tipped over an Aaron Ledgister volley before Oly Webb missed with a free header. Corsham dominated the first half but Pewsey never lost their shape and after Luke Holburgh had a drive saved by the impressive Payne they went in at the break still protecting their one goal lead.After the break it was more of the same as Graham Learmonth's Corsham broke forward and Payne again watched a Ledgister drive go over before blocking Webb as he got clear in the box.Pewsey slowly got a toe hold around the hour mark and Cope had another header go just over but against the run of play Corsham keeper Scott Windle misjudged a high ball which ran loose to Michael Martin who rolled in the clincher to give Pewsey a home tie with another Western League side, Devizes Town, in the next round.

SATURDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER

Alresford Town 4-2 Downton (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Arlebury Park

A dead ball hat-trick by Warren Bentley and a rare goal by Adrian de la Nougerede secured a first home league victory and a welcome three points for the Magpies on Saturday.
The home side almost took the lead in the opening minute, but a defender cleared off the line following a close range shot by Mike McEnery. Chances came at both ends, but it was the visitors that took the lead on 39 minutes when the influential and experienced Vinny Rusher curled a left foot shot from 20 yards into the top corner past Chris Waller in the home goal.
But in first half injury time Alresford were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area for a foul on McEnery. Bentley curled his kick round the wall into the top right corner of the goal to bring the scores level at half-time.
Three minutes into the second half a through ball by Rusher found Nic Turpin, who was able to chip the advancing Waller with the home defence appealing in vain for offside, and the visitors regained the lead.
Downton's lead was short-lived.  Two minutes later a goalbound strike by home skipper Simon Everett was deflected for a corner by Downton's Matt Palmer. The big problem was that Palmer's deflection came courtesy of his hands - with a spectacular dive that any keeper would have been proud of! The resultant red card for Palmer and penalty conversion by Bentley enabled Alresford to restore parity.
As Alresford pressed for the winner Josh Warren hit the woodwork before a 20 yard shot by de la Nougerede, who didn't score at all last season, found the bottom corner to give them the lead.
Another penalty for handball, on 82 minutes, was duly despatched by Bentley for his hat-trick and Alresford's fourth, and both Tom Riddell and Ash Ledger hit the woodwork late on to underline the hosts' advantage. Rusher went close to reducing the deficit with a header, but it was remain 4- 2 to the home side at the final whistle.

 

Amesbury Town 1-4 United Services Portsmouth (Division One)

By MARK HILTON at Bonnymead Park

United Services had this game won by half time against a weakened Amesbury side.
Neil Sole was pressed into action following his retirement last season and popped up with a consolation goal deep into injury time but by then the Blues were 4-0 behind.
After an even 15 minutes Amesbury's captain for the day, Gareth Horner, took a free kick which was tipped over by visiting keeper Peter Houlkes.  The resulting Nathan Jones corner was then kept out by Houlkes after Darren Crook had dummied. United Services immediately replied with a Mark Connet free kick just clearing the bar and half way through the half Connet forced Harrison into a diving save for Amesbury and he had to be alert to block Ed Richardson's follow up.
On the half hour Connet gave the away side the lead when he picked the ball up following a throw and ran on and shot home from 20 yards.  7 minutes later Ed Richardson put the visitors 2-0 ahead when the Amesbury defence again gave him room to run with the ball and fired home unchallenged from the edge of the box.
Amesbury had a couple of minor chances through Ollie Vines and Daryl Charman but nothing to really hurt the Portsmouth defence.  Three minutes before half time Connet, who scored a hat trick last week against Warminster and impressed again this afternoon, was again given time and space in the middle of the park and he again hit the ball from distance into the bottom corner to take Portsmouth into a three goal half time lead.
The second half started with a wide shot from USP's  Richardson and Nathan Jones replied with a shot that was saved for a corner.  Connet then headed wide after a ball came in from the left.
Amesbury attacked on the hour and good work from Nathan Jones and debut-making substitute, Jimmy Hull set up Toni Camilleri but his shot just cleared the bar.  Just after this Daryl Charman did well down the left and Toni Camilleri crossed but no one was able to apply that final touch which would have got Amesbury back into the match.  On 74 minutes Darren Crook run and shot was blocked and he hit the rebound wide.  Two minutes from time Darren Crook had another run and shot which went through the keeper's hands but out for a corner.
United Services increased their lead a minute into time added on. With Amesbury pushing forward,   Peter Lines was in acres of space and crossed to substitute Lee Johnson whose close shot just managed to go over the line. It was Amesbury who had the final say when Nathan Jones' free kick was helped on by Darren Crook and Neil Sole was on hand to fire home.

 

Corsham Town 1-1 (aet) Pewsey Vale (FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round)

By JEFF MATTHEWS

Pewsey Vale now face a home replay on Tuesday night at the Recreation Ground, Pewsey, with a 7.45 pm kick off, after holding Corsham Town of the Western League to a 1-1 draw when the match went into extra time. The Vale were forced to field a very weakened side due to senior players injuries. The Vale had the best of the first half chances to go into the break with a good lead,with Jon Guthrie and Adam Field unable to convert their chances. Jon Guthrie finnaly broke the deadlock on 30 minutes, his first shot was cleared of the line, and then it pinged ponged around the 18 yard box and somehow Guthrie got his second effort past the keeper and sent Pewsey into the break with a well deserved lead. The second half was a very affair and in the 65th minute, Corsham got back into the match when Liam Brown finally beat the Vale keeper, Craig Simmons. The match drifted to the 90 minute at 1-1 to go into extra time. This extra 30 minutes saw both sides having chances going begging and with the score still at 1-1, the Vale was left to rue the first half chances not converted by them that should have given the the victory to go into the next round and not have to do it all again next Tuesday.

Swanage & Herston 0-3 GE Hamble (FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round)

By JOHN GORMAN at Days Park

Hamble's initial foray into this season's FA Vase Competition took them to Days Park, home of Swanage Town and Herston who were Wessex League opponents less than a decade ago but now ply their trade in the Dorset Premier League. This meant that Hamble were no doubt installed as pre-match favourites and the end result confirmed that fact though it was not until the second half that the visitors' superiority really showed.
The home side posed the first threat with a low cross from Liam Correll that was turned behind by Jamie Barron whilst at the other end Lloyd Webber was wide with a header from a free kick and a Jamie Musselwhite cross found no takers in the area. Swanage then had their first and ultmately their best chance of the match when Correll, from a position that had more than a hint of offside about it, broke clear of the Hamble defence but keeper Jon Webb narrowed the angle and blocked the shot with his legs. Perhaps in spired by this Correll launched a one man mini-onslaugt on the Hamble goal with one shot blocled, a volley that was too high and another run that was wlee halted by a Scott Gilham challenge though the home striker was also guilty of ignoring better placed colleagues in his efforts to get on the scoresheet. Barron and webber sent Rory Williams away on the left with Barron's shot from the cross striking a defender and when the latter combined with Musselwhite on the other flank defender Ricky King headed the cross to safety over his own bar. Home keeper Nick Taylor palmed a Williams cross away from under his crossbar and the winger then lost control after another Barron cross had found him in space. With half time approaching Hamble were given, and given is the operative word, a chance to break the deadlock when Ashley Jarvis seemed to lose control of the ball and go over in the area only for the referee to award a penalty - to the amazement of most whilst the home dugouts feelings were a lot stronger. A form of justice prevailed when Musselwhite's spot kick bounced to safety off Taylor's legs and after both Williams and Ian Proctor had seen efforts safely held by the goalkeeper the half time whistle came with the game still scoreless.
Hamble started the second half much more strongly - despite the absence of manager Danny Bowers and a half time team talk that might have been - with a series of crosses going back and forth across the home area with Taylor fumbling a Jarvis shot round the post and clinging on to a Jamie Barron corner. Webb safely dealt with a right wing cross after Hamble had given the ball away and after Taylor had saved again from Jarvis a centre cuircle flare up saw players spoken to by the referee when stronger action was perhaps needed. Another Hamble corner saw a Lee Wood header cleared off the line and after James Roden had replaced Proctor, Taylor in the home goal did very well to turn a Musselwhite lob against the bar and away. This however only delayed by what was now looking the inevitable and after Correll had been booked for a tantrum Wood hoisted a long ball into the area, Musselwhite headed it down and Jarvis beat Taylor from somewhere near the penalty spot. At last a goal with three quarters of the game gone. Musselwhite and King were booked after another flare up with the main participant in the squabble, Swanage's Jim Beal, escaping punishment before Hamble claimed a second goal when Barron despatched a twenty five yard free kick past Taylor and into the net off the inside of the post. This was to be the midfielder's last contribution as he gave way to Doug Rowe and after a brief flurry from the home side that saw Correll's control let him down at the wrong moment and King send a free kick high over the bar Hamble made it three with just two minutes remaining. Jarvis made the space for Williams on the left and the low cross was headed past Taylor from close range by Rowe. There was still time for two more cautions for home players - it has to be said that the standard of officiating by the three Wiltshire Officials on the day was rather below that which we see every week in the Wessex League - before the final whistle brought an end to a game that never really got off the ground but that provided Hamble with a safe passage into the next round.

Totton & Eling 2-3 Cowes Sports (FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round)

By GLYNN SKINNER at Millers Park

Premier Division Totton & Eling welcomed Division 1 opponents Cowes Sports to their new ground for the very first time for this FA Vase match. It was the home side that took the lead mid-way through the first half and they were only denied a second when 18 year old Charlie Allen headed a home effort of the line. That proved significant as before the interval Dominic BURBIDGE had levelled for the Islanders. Totton & Eling regained the lead early in the second half and looked to be the side that would be progressing to the next round as injury time approached, but a last minute equaliser from midfielder Craig INSLEY sent the tie into extra time. No goals were scored during the first period and it seemed the second half would also remain goalless, until the 118th minute when Lee Davies broke down the left before crossing into the centre and 18 year old substitute Jimmy WYKES was on hand to net the winner for the Yachtsmen and send them into the next round and a home tie with fellow Division 1 side US Portsmouth.

TUESDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER

Fleet Spurs 1-2 Petersfield Town (League Cup)

By MATT RICHBELL at Kennels Lane

FLEET SPURS started brightly against fellow Division One side, PETERSFIELD TOWN, but were behind after just five minutes when full-back Rob Lewis took aim from fully 35 yards and fired into the top corner. Petersfield remained on the ascendency after taking the lead and could have doubled their lead when front man, Joe Twiddy, had a shot tipped round the post by Sam Cobbett in the Spurs goal. Just after the half hour mark and the visitors doubled their lead in bizarre circumstances. A long range free kick from Greg Parkerseemed to be harmlessly travelling into the keepers hands only for the ball to slip past the grasp of Cobbett and into the bottom corner. At 2-0 down, Spurs began to push forward and James Wills had their first real opportunity when he turned well in the box only to see his effort well saved by Town keeper, John Burnett. From the resulting corner, a scrambled ensued, but the visitors eventually clered the ball. A goal seemed forthcoming for Spurs and sure enough, in first half stoppage time, James Wills laid the ball off for Jonny Sim who lobbed Petersfield's keeper much to the delight of the home support.
Spurs began the second half well and Philip Fisher and Tom Chillery both came close to levelling the score. A series of corners and prolonged pressure failed to provide a breakthrough and although Spurs even had two headers cleared off the line late on, Petersfield Town held on for a place in the Second Round.

Totton & Eling 3-1 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Little Testwood Park

T&E extended Alresford's losing streak to four matches on Tuesday night at Millers Park after a game that was more even than the scoreline would suggest.
It had rained all day, producing a slick, flat surface that encouraged passing football.  Although the strong wind blowing the length of the pitch caused problems for both sides, the match soon settled down into a pattern of fast, attacking play.
The home side took the lead on five minutes with the game's first meaningful attack on goal.  Matt Monk's sweetly-struck shot had the benefit of the gale behind it, but Magpies keeper Chris Waller managed to parry it.  Craig Feeney reacted quickest, but Waller somehow managed to beat out his shot too before the second rebound fell to Steve Jenkin, who made no mistake.
Simon Everett cleared a goalbound header off the line after Phil Ward had been left unmarked at a corner, while Alresford came close when Josh Warren unleashed a fierce cross-shot that just flew past the right-hand upright.
As the first half progressed Alresford managed to keep better possession and started to put concerted pressure on the T&E defence.  Tom Riddell had a shot saved after good work by Everett, and then fired over from Mike McEnery's pass.
But the Magpies' good work was undone on 42 minutes when home left-back Steve Green unleashed a cross from the left touchline, 40 yards from goal, and, with more than a little help from the wind, the ball sailed over Waller and into the back of the net off the angle of bar and far post.
In the second half Alresford, with the wind now at their backs, were in charge in the early stages.  Warren Bentley's powerful free-kick was tipped over well by Sam Webb in the home goal, and Webb did well to parry a Riddell shot from McEnery's run.
The Magpies hauled themselves back into it from a 68th-minute free-kick.  Warren fired the ball in at head height, and Bentley, jumping bravely with Webb, got to the ball first and nodded it home.
That sparked hopes of an Alresford comeback, but just two minutes later T&E caught them on the break with a classic sucker punch.  Jon Brock was the instigator with a fine run and low cross from the right, and Paddy James applied the final touch via the underside of the crossbar.
Alresford threw on subs Danilio Cadete and Scott Waters in an attempt to salvage something from the game, and really should have pulled it back to 3-2 on 81 minutes.  The Magpies fashioned the chance with some good work on the right and a low ball across goal from Riddell.  But Cadete, almost on the goal-line, managed to get the ball stuck under his feet when it looked easier to score.  Everett, following up, had a shot deflected just past the post as T&E hung.
If that one had gone in a thrilling last ten minutes was in prospect, but it was not to be, and T&E played put the final minutes in comfort to record a 3-1 win.

SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER

Alresford Town 1-4 Hartley Wintney (FA Cup Preliminary Round)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Arlebury Park

It was a familiar script at Arlebury Park on Saturday, the Magpies spurning a host of early chances before being dumped out of the FA Cup by a Step 6 side who, in the end, showed greater powers of strength, resolve and resilience.
Mike McEnery skated round the Hartley keeper in the first minute but could only find the foot of the post from a tight angle.  In the next quarter of an hour McEnery, Scott Waters and Adrian de la Nougerede all had good chances to put the Magpies ahead, but all three shot straight at keeper Lee Allen, who kept them out with his legs.
There was an air of inevitability about the opener, nodded home by Ryan Stephens after a corner had been headed on to him, on 39 minutes.  And two minutes later Jermaine Hamilton, with his back to goal, received a long ball on the edge of the box and turned his defender to fire into the bottom corner and make it 2-0.
Alresford's hopes flickered briefly at the start of the second half, left-back James Davis getting forward to bury the rebound after Allen had parried Ash Ledger's shot.   The Magpies introduced Danilio Cadete and Tom Riddell to boost their attacking play, but for all their efforts they were rarely able to trouble Allen seriously again.  The nearest they came was when McEnery lobbed over both the advancing keeper and the crossbar after good work by Scott Waters.
But the reshuffle had left Alresford short on numbers at the back, and the Combined Counties side made them pay.  On 75 minutes the Magpies gave away possession on the edge of their own area, and although Waller produced a marvellous save from Ben Dillon, sub Dan Brownlie was on hand to tuck away the rebound.
On 88 minutes another Alresford attack broke down, leaving Dillon free to waltz past a static defence and add a fourth goal - hardly what Alresford deserved, but football can be a cruel game at times.
Hartley Wintney's reward is a home game in the First Qualifying Round against Southern League giants Bashley, while Alresford must return to the grind of the Sydenhams Wessex League, where they currently languish near the bottom of the table.

Fleet Town 4-3 Alton Town (FA Cup Preliminary Round)

By JOHN GORMAN

At this stage of the same competition last season Alton pulled off an astonishing victory at Sutton,but here was to be no repeat of success over higher ranked opposition this time as a superb second half comeback was to no avail with Fleet snatching victory in the closing minutes to deny the Town the replay their performance certainly deserved.
And all this after Alton got off to the worse possible start going behind inside the first three minutes. Fleet looked full of confidence kicking down the slope and when Luke King floated a diagonal cross into the area the defence was static as Sam Knowles, who was at Fleet Spurs last season, guided the gentlest of headers past Craig Atkinson from the edge of the six yard box.Lee Riddell wss too high with a free kick from the edge of the area and Alton were very much on the back foot as Craig Davis sent King away again with the cross being deflected for the first of three corners in quick succession that were largely wasted by the home side. Steve Brown made a break for Alton, albeit from a position that had more than a hint of offside about it, but the cross was cleared for a corner from which the same player's header was wide. But Fleet were soon back on the attack and increased their lead after twenty minutes when the influential Davis crossed from the right and James Pilgriim beat Atkinson from close range. Conor Geoghegan caused some concern in the home penalty area with a huge throw and after Alex Frostick had headed wide at one end Scott Sanderson suffered the same fate at the othe, some loose play in midfield allowed Brown to break with home skipper Lee Riddell saving his side with a last ditch tackle that also saw him injured and sadly leave the field on a stretcher. Alton replaced the limping Sanderson with Sam Knight, Fleet got the ball in the net again but the flag was up early for offside and Alton slowly but surely worked themselves back into the game. Ian Dyer's flick from Brown's cross bounced off a defender by the post with appeals for handball denied and two more huge Geoghegan throws induced various states of panic in the home area before Alton finally got their reward in the time added on for Riddell's injury. They were awarded a somewhat soft free kick on the corner of the area, Fleet only partially cleared the ball and when it was returned into the middle Brown beat the advancing Smalley to make the half time tea taste a little sweeter in the visiting dressing room.
Alton started the second half as they had finished the first with Simba Miambo sending Brown away but the angle was too acute, Miambo then offside and Brown being inches too high at the far post following a wonderful run and cross by Ian Clothier. Josh Brown was penalised on the edge of the area but Pilgrim's free kick was straight at Atkinson's midriff before Alton's pressure told with the scores levelled after ten minutes. Again it was a Clothier cross from the left that created the danger, Miambo headed the ball back across goal Brown's volley flew past Smalley. Knight shot straight at Smalley when a cross might have been a better option and a Brown cross found no takers in the area before Alton, against the run of play, found themselves behind again. King, not for the first time in the afternoon, was allowed to carry the ball from deep into the area and though Atkinson blocked the shot Knowles was quickest to react and turn the loose ball into the net. To their credit Alton refused to lie down and within ten minutes were level again. Gavin Miller went through the back of the Brown on the edge of the "D" collecting a yellow card for his pains and then saw insult added to injury as Ian Dyer's free kick flew low past Smalley's left hand and into the corner of the net. The keeper then made a superb save to deny Knight before King galloped clear again with Knowles seeing his shot from the cross blocked by a defender. Unfortunately Alton had failed to learn from the afternoon and when King yet again was allowed far too much space his cross found Pilgrim and the home side were back in front. Led by the indomitable Brown the visitors tried to come back for a third time but Clothier was too high and a glancing header from the skipper drifted just the wrong side of the post before the final whistle brought Alton's involvement in this Season's FA Cup to a close.
It really was a case of so near yet so far for Alton, and they deserve immense credit for twice coming from behind.but if they can repeat this display in the League matches to follow they could have a very enjoyable season.

Hayling United 1-2 Romsey Town (Premier Division)

By STEPHEN HAYWARD at Hayling College

Simon De'ath scored first for Romsey to level the scores after another penalty from Dan Martin had put the home side in front. However, Ben White was to have the last say, giving all the points to Town.

It was a reasonably bright start from the home side showing that slowly but surely the perennial slow starters are attempting to get going! Young Ashley Fisher had the first effort after about 7 mins, but was unable to control it well enough to bother Matt Brown in the Romsey goal. The teams exchanged efforts, both eager to make strides away from the lower reaches of the division. After just such an attempt from Romsey, Lee Paul found himself out on his own and through the visitors defence, putting a good dipping volley goal wards, but it finished up just clearing the bar.
Dan Martin was the provider for the Humbug's next effort as he supplied a cross for Josh Case, his side foot effort however lacked a decent contact and was wasted.
Romsey looked dangerous on the break and old stager Simon De'ath came close on 23 minutes with an effort from about 3 metres out from Beau Savage's goal. The cross was delivered by Ryan Long after a run down the right, but De'ath just couldn't make the most of it. The visiting bench then went into orbit as they had what they thought was a great shout for a penalty declined by match official Geoff Skillen, to be fair it looked nailed on, but the official, who was unaided by his assistant let Hayling off the hook.
Case bought a good save out of Matt Brown in the Romsey goal on 26 mins when he was allowed to run through untouched, and got a good shot off from 20 metres out. The keeper was to prove Hayling's nemesis come the end of the game! The home side took the lead on 35 mins when Ashley Fisher ran to the bye line and cut inside, his attempted cross hit a Romsey hand and the whistle did go this time for the penalty. Dan Martin hit the bottom corner leaving the impressive Brown unable to get to it. 1-0.
Perhaps the turning point of the game came just minutes later when Mr. Skillen decided that an innocuous challenge by Hayling's Ad Turner deserved a second yellow (the first one possibly being unreasonable as well!), and he produced a red card to dismiss the defender. Hayling down to ten men for more than half the game.
Romsey's response came quickly enough, after a poor clearance from Savage, Ryan Long was almost able to capitalise, but sent his effort clear of the bar.
Hayling's keeper was then distraught, when, after coming to the edge of his box and getting two hands on the ball he was accused of bundling a Town player to the floor. The assistant, just a few metres away did/said nothing when the referee blew, even though he must have had a much better view of the incident than the referee. De'ath stepped up and equalised from the spot, leaving the home supporters really aggrieved at some of the decision-making.  1-1.
HT 1-1
It was ten man Hayling who had the first real effort of the second period, when a decent passing move involving Case and Clements ended with Paul getting his shot away, but not making Brown work hard enough this time. 6 mins in and Ben White had his effort saved by Savage, the resultant corner produced yet another shot, this time the post came to Hayling's aide. The first ten minutes of the second period was proving eventful, a corner for the Humbugs was delivered well by Case, Lee Paul perhaps got too much on the downwards header and it flew over the bar. Hayling were caught asleep shortly afterwards as a short corner was taken quickly to Ross Gregory, whose curling shot was cleared off the line by Dan Martin at the far post.
It was only a few minutes later when the visitors took the lead. Ben White was not closed down quickly enough on the edge of the box, and he was allowed to shift the ball to his right and send it flying into the back of the net to Savage's left. 2-1. Romsey were doing their utmost to make the extra man count and passed the ball around well in short spells. With less than ten minutes to play it was time for hero of the moment for Romsey to step into the limelight. Matt Brown made a brilliant double save, the first from Paul, and he got to the second to palm it away for a corner. From the resultant set piece by Case, Luff rushed his effort and shot wide. It wasn't going to be Hayling's day.
There was even time for one more effort before the whistle went, and Dan Martin was left to hold his head in his hands after he found himself with just the keeper to slot his shot past, but he rushed it and tried to put too much on the finish, sending it over the keeper and the bar! Final score Hayling Utd 1 Romsey Town 2.

Hythe & Dibden 0-1 Amesbury Town (Division One)

By MARK HILTON at Ewart Recreation Ground

This was a fantastic win for the Blues at early league leaders Hythe & Dibden.
Amesbury were down to just the bare 11 but they fought hard on the slopey, bumpy pitch in windy difficult conditions. The game was a scrappy affair, the first half saw both sides getting several corners but Hythe had the best chances. On 18 minutes Sean Stone headed onto the bar and on the half hour Roy Viner's effort came down off the bar and stayed out. Shortly after Viner shot from distance and Danny Harrison pulled off a good save. Towards the end of the half the two DCs , Darren Crook and Daryl Charman linked up well but both times Charman's shot went wide of the goal.
The second half started like the first with neither side really getting control. A Ben Pryce free kick was headed back by a defender and nearly deceived keeper Matt Willsher.  On 57 minutes Tom Western pulled back Sean Stone but his penalty, hit low and hard to Harrison's left, was brilliantly pushed   away by the Blues keeper.  Amesbury sensed that it could be their day and they kept their cool and took advantage of their opponents as they got more agitated.

A long clearance to Nathan Jones saw him run on and unlike his goals against Whitchurch and Warmister this time the Hythe keeper did well to smother his shot.  It looked like the game was heading for a scoreless draw but with 5 minutes to go Toni Camilleri danced his way through the home defence and just when it looked like he may have taken too long he unleashed a shot that went in off the post.

As time ran out Nathan Jones nearly increased the lead with a free kick that whistled wide. Hythe thought they had equalised but Stone's effort was disallowed for offside, the assistant's flag immediately going up as the striker ran through. In injury time Lee Burch got a shot in close to goal but the agile Harrison managed to get down and block the goal bound effort.

Winchester City 1-3 Blackfield & Langley (FA Cup Preliminary Round)

By MATT RICHBELL at the Denplan City Ground

BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY won a thrilling cup tie 3-1 away to WINCHESTER CITY. Charlton Clarke scored from close range on 20 minutes when he converted Liam Horsted's free kick. The hosts drew level just five minutes later when Chris Mason capitalised on several defensive errors before coolly finishing beyond Hutchins to make it 1-1. Beng'yela Ngwa had the ball in the back of the hosts' net five minutes later, but it was disallowed for handball. Five minutes later and Blackfield & Langley midfielder, Gavin Spurway, took aim from 25 yards and fired a screamer into the top corner of Rory Anderson's goal. Shortly after half-time and it was 3-1 when Manny Soetan flicked home from close range. City pushed to get back into the game and Charlie Smeeton had a header ruled out for offside and Mike Byrne also hit the woodwork with his header from a corner. City then had a golden opportunity to apply late pressure when Smeeton was upended in the box, but Graham Lindsey's tame penalty was comfortaby saved by Hutchins. The visitors could have even extended their lead late on when substitute Tom Donaldson shot over from close range.           

MONDAY 29TH AUGUST

Alresford Town 2-5 GE Hamble (Division One)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Arlebury Park

After their excellent victory at Winchester last week Alresford came back down to earth with a bang, suffering two defeats in their first two home league games of the season over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Hamble have started the season among the Wessex League pacesetters, and they showed why by banging in five goals at Arlebury Park on Monday afternoon.  Alresford came close after just 4 minutes when the visitors made a hash of a clearance under pressure from Mike McEnery, but keeper Jon Webb recovered in time to save from James Davis.
Hamble took the lead on 18 minutes from a free-kick deep in their own territory, which was driven upfield.  Centre-back Dan Turner rose highest to send a looping header over Chris Waller in the home goal and into the back of the net.
The Alresford defence continued to creak, and Hamble added a second on 31 minutes when Rory Williams outpaced Graham Bird down the left and knocked the ball square for Hamble skipper Lloyd Webber to sidefoot home.  But the Magpies gave themselves hope on 39 minutes when McEnery's knockdown fell perfectly for Ashley Ledger to volley past Webb.
With the score 2-1 at the break, the next goal was always going to be crucial.  The Magpies nearly got it on 57 minutes when Simon Everett's pinpoint pass sent Stuart Mott through in the inside left channel, but he blazed over the bar.  Straight away Hamble broke, and a sweet strike from the boot of Lewis Fennemore put the visitors 3-1 up.
Hamble added a fourth goal on 68 minutes when Davis was adjudged to have handled in his own penalty area, the impressive Jamie Musselwhite making no mistake from the spot.
But Alresford were awarded a penalty of their own on 79 minutes when McEnery was brought down, and Warren Bentley was equally clinical in dispatching the spot-kick.
Hamble were to have the last word, however.  With added time ticking away Musselwhite grabbed his own second and his side's fifth with an emphatic header from Ashley Jarvis's left-wing cross.

 

Fleet Spurs 1-1 Andover New Street (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Kennels Lane

Spurs retained their unbeaten league record against Andover on Bank Holiday Monday, but by the skin of their teeth.  Only a determined defensive performance, backed up be splendid goalkeeping from Sam Cobbett, stopped the visitors gaining a victory that they probably deserved on the run of the play and number of goal chances created.
The game started slowly, but Andover gradually got on top and made a number of opportunities, with their quick wingers Isaac Kedu and Kobby Duodu impressing  However, the Fleet defence held firm, keeper Cobbett foiled New Street's goal opportunities, notably with a flying save from a George Dallarda free kick.  The game was in general uninspiring and half-time came with no score.
After the break Spurs came more into the game, and substitute Simon Annetts' persistence was rewarded on the hour mark when an Andover defender appeared to handle the ball at striker James Wills' feet.  Alex Pickering calmly converted the resulting spot kick, slotting the ball home with a well-placed shot to keeper David Tasker's left.  Ten minutes later, skipper Bobby Swayne earned Andover a well-earned equaliser, as the Spurs defence left him unmarked to head in a right-wing corner.  The game then petered out into a draw, with the home side happier, feeling that the result was a point gained rather than two thrown away.
Manager Andy Hunt was happier with the result than the performance.  After the match he said "I'd have happily settled for seven points from our first three games, particularly bearing in mind that we're very much a new team and the players are still getting used to each other."

Pewsey Vale 1-1 Verwood Town (Division One)

By JEFF MATTHEWS at The Recreation Ground

The first half was evenly matched with both sides having little chances to take the lead and break through each others defence.Matty Bissett for the Vale put a good cross into goal on the 15th minute, but it shot across the goalmouth. Another went begging on the 33rd minute for the Vale, when Micky Martin won a free kick on the 33rd minute just outside the box. A short free kick by Martin to Ryan Banks, but he put it just wide of the post. The Vale was having a good spell and should have opened up a score line.
The deadlock was broken just before the break when a Ricky Franklin free kick found the head of Bissett to head home giving the visitors keeper, Chris Lynch, no chance.
Second half pressure from the Vale saw Adam Field hit the angle of the goal and then good play by Martin,who twisted and turned past the Verwood defence, but his final shot hit the side netting.
Then Verwood struck to level the scoreline in the 65 minute, when Mike Haskell beat Payne. Shortly afterwards, Payne made a great save from Nathan Saxby following poor Pewsey defending to deny the Town the chance to take the lead on 70 minutes. The Vale made changes looking to get back in the lead, bringing on Craig Wall for Field, and Max Derrick for Bissett, but both sides had to be satisfied which a share of the points.

Stockbridge 3-1 Ringwood Town (Division One)

By JOHN GORMAN at The Recreation Ground

Stockbridge followed their goalless draw with New Street on Saturday with a second half performance that ensured all three points against Ringwood on Bank Holiday Monday. A second half performance that saw them come from behind to score three times after a first half in which Ringwood very much held the upper hand.
A lob from Dave Cotter was just too high in the opening minute but the visitors started the stronger and Alan Ralph was at full stretch to palm away a header from Kane Chattey before saving from Alex Eley at close range. Aaron Black sent Jack Hutchings away onthe left but there were no takers for the cross but the home side were both giving the ball away and being outnumbered in midfield and it was no surprise when they went behind after half an hour. The Stockbridge defence partially cleared a corner but when Jamie Kay crossed the ball again Ely out jumped Ralph and his header finished high in the roof of the net.Ralph was again at full stretch to deny Lucas Labedski and the home defence survived a goalmouth scramble during which there were appeals, unanaswered, that the ball had crossed the line. The Stocks best and perhaps only chance of the half came just before the break but Lee Cogan failed to make proper contact with Cotter's cross and Ringwood deservedly headed for their half time tea a goal to the good.
The second half started scrappily with neither side making any impression before Ralph claimed a dangerous looking Cross and Cotter, who too often lacked support, was narrowly beaten to a through ball by goalkeeper Tommy Taylor. Taylor also held a dangerous cross from Jamie Coleman before the home side conjured an equaliser after twenty minutes as the industrious Jazz Beavis won the ball in midfield and provided the pass for Steve Witt to fire past the advancing Taylor. Inside sixty seconds Ringwood had a golden opportunity to regain the lead as Ely was sent tumbling in the area but Paul Manning's spot kick rebounded away off the post and from then on Stockbridge largely took control. Beavis and substitute Keith Harrison gained control of the midfield and the former capped a fine display with the second goal seven minutes from time. A long throw from Mark Bailey was turned across the six yard box by Witt and the diminutive midfielder bundled the ball past Taylor. Cotter was inches away from a third before the game was made safe in the last minute of normal time. Harrison controlled and superbly held the ball on the right before crossing for Mike Barker, who had been on the field only a matter of minutes, to beat Taylor from twelve yards and ensure three points thatcertainly did not look very likely at half time.

SATURDAY 27TH AUGUST

Fleet Spurs 2-1 Ringwood Town (Division One)

By JOHN PORTER at Kennels Lane

On Saturday, Spurs battled hard and succeeded in picking up all the points against a Ringwood side that rather flattered to deceive.
After a bright start by both teams, Ringwood began to dominate play, and it was very much against the run of the play when Spurs took the lead after quarter of an hour.  Striker James Wills seized on a clever through ball from Andy Sullivan, outpaced the Town defence and slotted home coolly past keeper Tom Taylor.  This setback only seemed to inspire Ringwood and they almost monopolised possession with Fleet giving the ball away far too easily.  Fortunately for Spurs, the defence remained solid and resolute and Ringwood were unable to create any real chances.  However, after half an hour Lukasz Labedzki beat Sam Cobbett all ends up with a 35-yard lob, which dipped at the last moment and found the back of the net off the underside of the bar - an unstoppable goal.
After the break play was more even, and Spurs soon took the lead when Wills notched his second from point-blank range after Town defence had failed to clear a corner.   The game was evenly fought and Spurs began to find their men better and to create a number of half-chances.  Ringwood too made opportunities, but Fleet held on with a reasonable degree of comfort to preserve their 100% league record.  This was a result they just about deserved, but Ringwood must be rueing their inability to capitalise on their first-half supremacy.

Whitchurch United 4-1 Amesbury Town (Division One)

By MARK HILTON at Longmeadow

Amesbury took the lead at Whitchuch but the home side equalised shortly before half time and  surged ahead with three second half goals.
Whitchurch were buzzing having beaten Bemerton Heath in the FA Cup the previous weekend but the first half was fairly even. Zac Reynolds headed over the bar and Ashley Childs turn and shot was saved by Danny Harrison in the early exchanges. Darren Crook responded for the Blues with a run and shot saved by Tom Hindmarsh and a Craig Wheeler cross from the left was met by Connor Palmer but his shot was wide.  On the quarter hour Ashley Childs picked up a long ball and swept his shot over the bar for the home side. Whilst the visitor's Tom Western's long pass to Craig Wheeler who spotted Hindmarsh off his line but his clever lob shot came back off the crossbar.  On the half hour Darren Crook had a shot blocked following a corner but on 36 minutes his through ball found Nathan JONES who coolly ran on and slotted home to give Amesbury the lead. It took the home side 6 minutes to equalise when a shot pass by Childs set up Pemberton who made no mistake from close range.

Amesbury were hoping that the advantage of the slope in the 2nd half might see them take control but it was the home side who largely controlled the game and as the game went on the visitors tired and starting making errors.  Just after the re-start Reynolds found himself in space and saw his shot tipped over the bar by Harrison. Amesbury responded with a Ryan Jones long ball out of defence finding Darren Crook and he set up Craig Wheeler whose shot was easily smothered by Hindmarsh. Whitchurch took the lead when Child's cross was dropped by Harrison to the grateful Grant Powell who knocked in the loose ball. On the hour a defensive mix up almost gifted substitute Brett Denham who had just joined the action but he hooked his shot over the bar. Nathan Jones then tested Hindmarsh after good work by Tyler Brockway but it was Whitchurch who increased their lead. On 72 minutes the impressive Powell dribbled his way through and fired home for his 2nd and Whitchurch's 3rd and 5 minutes from time Harrison did well to push a Dockree shot round for a corner but the resulting corner was headed home by Chris Smalley and it finished 4-1 to Whitchurch.

 

Winchester City 2-1 Hayling United (Premier Division)

By MATT RICHBELL at the Denplan City Ground

Winchester City were slow out of the blocks against Hayling United and were punished by going a goal down from the penalty spot inside 30 seconds on Saturday. City took quarter of an hour to get into the game and had a header cleared off the line and Leigh Mills also headed wide. Ten minutes before half-time and the hosts were deservedly level after some prolonged pressure when Leigh Mills headed home a Mason corner. Mason came close to putting the hosts ahead several minutes later, but his effort went over. Easton and Przepolewski both also came close for City before half-time. After the restart and the game continued in the same manner with City pressing and Tom Dunford fired wide from the edge of the area. Dominic Allen was introduced with 25 minutes remaining and he caused the Humbugs defence problems. Graham Lindsey had several good opportunities and Darryl Phillipswas also twice denied by some good defending. City finally took the lead with ten minutes left when Tom Dunford shot into the top corner from 20 yards much to the delight of the home fans. Dunford could have added another late on but his effort went wide whilst Charlie Smeeton also had an effort saved.

FRIDAY 26TH AUGUST

Moneyfields 3-3 Fareham Town (Premier Division)

By MATT RICHBELL at Dover Road

Top-of-the-table Moneyfields played out a six goal thriller on Friday night as both them and Fareham Town maintained their unbeaten start to the season in a 3-3 draw. The hosts started the game with a 100% record and the confidence that had been instilled in the side showed right from the off with Moneyfields' front two Jake Slater and Steve Hutchings causing Fareham problems throughout. Jake Slater had an effort saved inside the opening minute but less than 60 seconds later and the hosts were ahead when Slater finished in the bottom corner. Moneyfields front pair continued to cause problems for Luke Douglas in the Creeksiders' goal with both Hutchings and Slater going close. Against the run of play, Fareham Town equalised when Ashley Tattershall scored in front of Town's visiting supporters. Tom Winzar then had an opportunity to put the visitors ahead when he turned with his back to goal in the box, but his effort went wide. Moneyfields then pushed forward in a bid to regain the lead but several chances came and went for the hosts. Both sides had opportunities to go in to half-time in the lead, and it was the visitors who did so when Tattershall grabbed his second of the night, when he scored from a partially cleared free kick.
The visitors started the second half in the same manner as they finished the first and went 3-1 ahead thanks to well executed free kick by Wayne Boud. Town began to look confident going forward and threatened to extend their lead further before Moneyfields began to bombard the visitors' goal. Hutchings had several headers that went wide and the hosts had several efforts from distance also missing the target. Fareham then had a great opportunity to put the game beyond any doubt when Wayne Boud hit the side netting from close range. Creeksiders' substitute Rob Tambling also came close when he took on several defenders and had an effort well saved. As time began to tick away, Moneyfields grabbed a lifeline through substitute Abdoulie N'Doye who looped his header over Douglas and into the back of the net. Several minutes later and the scores were all level. Conor Bailey cut inside from his full back position and carefully curled an effort into the bottom corner to earn the hosts a point.

 

WEDNESDAY 24TH AUGUST

Winchester City 2-4 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at the Denplan City Ground

The Magpies picked up their first league points of the season in emphatic style with a superb away victory over pre-season Wessex title favourites City.  Warren Bentley (2), Josh Warren and Mike McEnery were the men on target for Alresford while Graham Lindsey scored twice for the hosts.
Alresford had the game's first real chance on 4 minutes when Stuart Mott sent Simon Everett clear through the middle, but Everett's shot flew over the bar.  A spell of City pressure followed, with the Magpies back four of Danny Edwards, Graham Bird, Joe Wright and James Davis having to work hard - something they did superbly all night - to keep the home side from troubling Chris Waller.
Alresford took the lead on 11 minutes following a corner which produced a scramble in the Winchester box.  The referee spotted a City hand making illegal contact with the ball, and Bentley stepped up to bury the spot kick.
Waller saved well from Charlie Smeeton as City fought back, Chris Mason firing the rebound over the bar.  But Alresford added a second goal from a corner shortly afterwards when Bentley caught home keeper Ryan Gosney napping and rose high enough to beat him in the air and head into an empty net.
The game continued with City enjoying plenty of possession but failing to create clear openings, while Alresford looked more incisive in attack.  They underlined that on 32 minutes when McEnery, always a threat, cut in from the right.  A desperate last-ditch tackle succeeded only in diverting the ball to Warren, who scored his first Magpies league goal with a crisp shot from the edge of the box.
At the start of the second half McEnery fired across the face of the home goal after robbing a defender on the edge of the area.  Wright cleared off the visitors' line, Graham Lindsey headed over the bar and Wright produced a vital line clearance from Smeeton's header.  But City had overstretched themselves and Alresford hit them on the break, scoring a fourth goal when McEnery broke on the left, ignoring offside appeals, and threaded the ball past the advancing Gosney to keep up his record of scoring in every league game so far this season.
City struck back on 66 minutes, Lindsey heading home from a left wing cross, and Waller was the busier of the two keepers after that.  Warren hit the City bar and later on drew a fine save from Gosney with a rocket shot, but City dragged it back to 4-2 when the Alresford defence allowed Gosney's long clearance to bounce over them, presenting Lindsey with an easy chance of beating Waller.  He took that chance with aplomb.
The last ten minutes were nervy for Alresford, with City pushing hard to claw back the deficit.  But they were never able to close within one goal, and with the visitors continuing to keep their discipline and give 100% to defend as a unit, the referee blew the final whistle after three minutes of added time. 
As victories go, it doesn't get much sweeter than that for Alresford.  Big guns City will no doubt remain in contention at the top, but this result should kick-start the league season for the Magpies and will certainly give them something to build on.

Winchester City 2-4 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By MATT RICHBELL at the Denplan City Ground

ALRESFORD TOWN recorded an impressive 4-2 away victory at WINCHESTER CITY on Wednesday night. Simon Everett had a good opportunity for the visitors early on when his effort from the edge of the box skimmed the crossbar. Not long after that and the visitors had taken the lead when Warren Bentley converted a penalty. Charlie Smeeton then had an opportunity to level for the hosts, but hiss effort was saved by Waller and Chris Mason sent his rebound over the bar. Alresford punished City for failing to take their chances and went two ahead when Warren Bentley grabbed his second of the game with a header following some poor defending. Graham Lindsey had an opportunity to reduce the arrears but he too was denied by the vistors' keeper. Shortly afterwards, two became three when Josh Warren scored following good work by Mike McEnery. After half-time, City made several changes bringing on Alex Easton and Gary Fulker, and these changes appeared to have made an impact when Charlie Smeeton twice came close to getting a goal back. But it was Alresford that scored next when Mike McEnery beat the offside trap to make it four. Graham Lindsey pulled two goals back for the hosts but it wasn't enough to avoid defeat.

TUESDAY 23RD AUGUST

Brockenhurst 4-2 Downton (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay)

By KERRY MILLER at Grigg Lane

Brock striker Mike Spinney made a late play for the man of the round award on Tuesday night when his clinical hat-trick ensured his side a visit to near neighbours Lymington Town in the next round of the FA Cup on Saturday week.His treble, plus a late goal from Warren Kenna put paid to Premier Division Downton after a superb end to end battle at Grigg Lane.The visitors began strongly but Brock weathered the storm and Kenna put Spinney in for the opener on five minutes. Declan McGregor twice tested home keeper Scott O'Rourke before Nic Turpin leveled with a sweet lob on the half hour. After the break Brock again weathered an early Downton storm then on the hour Spinney converted from close in after fine work from Matt Malloy. Ten minutes later it looked job done as Spinney's glancing header beat Charlie Aldridge to make it 3-1 but Vinnie Rusher, one of a clutch of ex-Andover FC players in the side, converted a McGregor cross to set up a grandstand finish. That did not materialize as within seconds Kenna had made it 4-2 and booked a trip to Lymington and a winner's cheque for £750.

SATURDAY 20TH AUGUST

Alresford Town 4-0 Devizes Town (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Arlebury Park

Alresford secured their first win of the season on Saturday with an emphatic victory over Toolstation Western Division One side Devizes Town at Arlebury Park in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.
A delayed kick off to 3.15pm due to the late arrival of the visitors had no effect on the hosts, who started at a brisk pace and created several good early chances. Josh Warren fired a free-kick narrowly wide from 20 yards, while Mike McEnery had a shot well saved by Alexander in the visitors' goal.  Adie de la Nougerede then failed to convert from close range before having to be replaced by Simon Everett on 31 minutes due to injury.
The hosts were not to have it all their own way, however, and both Lewis and Bennett drew good saves from home keeper Chris Waller. Half time arrived with the game goalless and the visitors' defence, ably organised by skipper Anthony Packer, holding firm.
The second half started with Alresford's Stuart Mott unable to finish before play switched to the other end, where Fitzgerald first had a volley then a header saved by Waller. 
On 56 minutes Mott ran onto a misplaced short back pass from a Devizes defender and although he reached the ball first Mott was unable to find the target from just inside the area. On 66 minutes Devizes had to replace skipper Packer due to injury, and it was from then on that Alresford were able to make significant progress.
Firstly, on 72 minutes, Warren laid a ball through the Devizes defence for James Davis to run on to, and he opened the home side's account from 12 yards. Two minutes later McEnery made progress down the left, cut into the penalty area and pulled the ball back to the edge of the 6-yard box for Davis to bag  his, and Alresford's, second.
On 88 minutes Alresford were awarded a free kick outside the box on the left hand side. Warren Bentley played the ball short to Danilo Cadete, who cut into the box and finished coolly from 10 yards.  On 90 minutes, Bentley provided the icing on the cake by being on hand to stab home a rebound following a McEnery shot.

Hamworthy United 1-2 Bournemouth Poppies (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round)

By ROGER NICHOLSON at The County Ground

Hamworthy fell at the first hurdle in this year's F.A. Cup after getting back on equal terms eleven minutes into the second half. Salt was added to the wounds by both Poppies goals being scored by Dave Ewen, a Hammers player until just prior to the start of the season. There could be few complaints at the end however. United turned in a very much under par performance, and got what they probably deserved, nothing. Dan Haysom made his first game after serving a two match suspension. Michael White moved over to right back and Mike Antrobus shifted to the bench, where he was joined by Stuart Cannie who was returning after injury.
Bournemouth were the quicker of the two teams to get into the game, and were the first to get a shot in on goal. The Hammers defending the Irvin Brown Stand end were finding difficulty in finding their front two men. They were too often left isolated with no link up play from the mid-field, and this gave them little opportunity to strike. When the ball did reach them it was head high, and that handed the advantage to the taller Bournemouth defenders. Poppies continued to hold the edge and went close on a couple of occasions before they eventually took the lead. Dave Ewen ran right through the middle of the United defence to score. Protests for a foul by several Hamworthy Players were waved away by the Yeovil based Referee, and the score stood. The half finished with no further goals and with Max Frampton the Poppies Keeper not having to make a difficult save in the whole of the forty-five minutes.
HT 0-1
The Hammers did raise their game a bit at the start of the second half, and at long last began to exert a little more pressure on the Poppies. Hamworthy were handed a lifeline back into the game when Aaron Corby was needlessly brought down in the box as he tried to turn. Max Frampton was then booked for time wasting after kicking the ball away. Luke Burbidge kept his cool to find the corner of the net from the spot when the game was eventually restarted. Play was now getting more stretched, and was a lot more even than the first half. United however not for the first time this season handed the game back to the opposition with a soft goal. This started in the other half of the field, and ended up with the ball in the Hamworthy net. A Bournemouth defender was not closed down quickly enough, and was given the time to clear, and find his man on the wide left. The ball was taken to the corner before a long looping cross was allowed to find Dave Ewen unmarked at the far post. He had the simplest of jobs to nod the ball home from a yard out to restore the lead. Hamworthy almost snatched a replay in the time added on at the end of the game with their best move of the match. Following some good approach work the ball was crossed into the six yard where it was met by substitute Jack Slattery sliding in. It looked as if he must score but the ball somehow just skimmed the cross bar before going over, and with it went the Hammers last chance. So it was the Poppies who pocketed the prize money and marched on to the next round.

 

Pewsey Vale 0-2 Bishop Sutton (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round)

By JEFF MATTHEWS at The Recreation Ground

After 64 years since the Vale played a match in the FA Cup when they visited St Austell in Cornwall 1946, in which they lost 4-1, they were back in this match against Bishop Sutton of the Western Toolstation League at the recreation ground, Pewsey.

A first half that saw both sides having chance to go into that early lead, it took a great save from the Vale goalkeeper to deny the Bishops' Darren  Hawkins in the 6th minute. Micky Martin minutes later again for The Vale heading wide. As the game flowed from end to end,the Bishops keeper Lee Matthews had to make a telling save. A break out by the visitors to the right side found Kyle Shallcroff who shot across the Pewsey goalmouth. Sutton had more chances but the inform goalstopper Payne continued to stop them.
Micky Martin put a great through ball for Adam Fields to Ron onto but he was brought down just outside the box by Sutton's Captain Sam Payne,who was then red carded as the last mann putting the visitors down to ten men the free kick by Martin was put again net the defensive wall and the match went into the break all square. The second half was to continue as the first and Sutton had Sam Bailey booked for pulling Matty Bissett back. The deadlock was broken in favour of the ten men when on the 55th minute a cross into the far post was headed in by John Moss to send Sutton in the lead.
Pewsey pushed to get back into the game,but it was Suttons' Jordon Metters who snatch the winner on the 70th minute to give them the win to go into the next round.

 

Shrewton United 1-0 Fleet Spurs (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round)

By JOHN PORTER

On Saturday, Spurs visited Salisbury Plain to play Western League First Division side Shrewton United, who finished up winners in what was the first-ever FA cup-tie for both clubs.  The victory was more comfortable than the narrow margin might suggest.
Shrewton soon gained the ascendancy, being much the quicker and sharper side and retaining the ball far better than Fleet, who gave the ball away far too easily and whose passing was generally sloppy .  Spurs had to defend well with a number of good saves from keeper Sam Cobbett, and fortunately for them the quality of United's finishing did not match their approach play.  After half an hour the inevitable occurred when Seb Dawes headed home a right-wing cross from close range.  Only an acrobatic clearance off the line by skipper Chris Musgrove after Dawes had chipped the keeper stopped Shrewton extending their lead before the break.
After the break, Spurs improved slightly and the game became more even, though Shrewton still looked the more dangerous side, and indeed only resolute defence and more good saves from Cobbett kept the score line unchanged.  After the hour mark, both sides began to slow, the result of the expected early season level of fitness coupled with a warm day, but the game remained competitive with three silly bookings for Spurs and a sending off for goal scorer Dawes for a second bookable offence.  Spurs might even have forced a draw when sub Simon Annetts headed a free-kick over the Shrewton bar as the game entered stoppage time.  However, this would have been an injustice for the home side, particularly bearing in mind that Spurs did not force a single save out of home keeper Chris Brewer.
Spurs' slender hopes of FA Cup glory have thus faded.  New manager Andy Hunt said "Last week when we beat United Services Portsmouth, we set the standard of what we can achieve.  Unfortunately this week we fell well short of that standard."
Nevertheless, there were some promising signs from what is a new Fleet side - a team that have only played two competitive games together and will surely gel more effectively over the next few weeks.  Spurs are back in Sydenhams Wessex League action twice over the Bank Holiday weekend, entertaining Ringwood Town on Saturday and Andover New Street on Monday.  Both games are at Southwood and kick off at 3.00.

Whitchurch United 3-2 Bemerton Heath Harlequins (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round)

By JOHN GORMAN at Longmeadow

Whitchurch's decision to enter the FA Cup again this season after some years of fighting shy of the competition paid off handsomely at Longmeadow on Saturday when perennial Wessex Premier Division high fliers Bemerton were defeated by the odd goal in five. That statement however does not perhaps pay enough credit to Whitchurch who at one stage were three goals in front whilst Bemerton's second goal did not come until second half stoppage time.
The game kicked off in brilliant sunshine following the lunchtime deluge and after Paul Coventry had sent a header wide from an Alex Dockree cross the home side survived a scare when keeper Dan Magee misjudged the flight of a long free kick and was relieved to see the ball pass just wide of his far post. Whitchurch skipper John Rimmer denied the dangerous Joe Sanger with a well timed tackle but overall the Division One side were enjoying more of the game against their more illustrious visitors whose side showed a number of changes from the eleven who had won so convincingly in the week. Bemerton keeper Fred Toomer was at full stretch to deny Tom Pemberton and Magee blocked a Jack Slade effort at close range at the other end before Whitchurch opened the scoring after thirteen minutes. The ball was won on the right, Nick Jupp's diagonal cross found Ashley Childs and the striker's control and turn left him free to fire across Toomer low into the far corner. This was to be Jupp's last involvement before limping off, to be replaced by Matt Bennett, but the home side continued to press, though Magee was called upon to keep out a Sanger free kick, and they added a second on the half hour mark with Childs again the scorer. As before the cross, deeper this time, came from the right, Toomer came out but could only palm the ball down and the striker gleefully turned the loose ball into the net. Bemerton came close to reducing the deficit when Magee was caught in possession but Rimmer was well placed to turn Waters's shot round the post and after a lecture and booking for Coventry and a Jack Eves free kick for Bemerton that was only inches too high the half ended with Whitchurch far the happier and deserving of their two goal lead.
Waters fired straight at Magee upon the re-start but within two minutes Whitchurch had increased their lead to three no doubt completely sending Ian Chalk's halftime team talk out of the window. Childs ran at, and through, a retreating defence before releasing Grant Powell and the finish was low past the stranded Toomer and into the far corner. Magee dealt safely with both a corner and a cross as Bemerton tried to force their way back into the game but with Rimmer and Chris Smalley giving nothing away in the centre and a Pemberton last ditch challenge denying Sanger the Whitchurch defence stood firm until almost the half hour mark before Bemerton were handed a lifeline with a penalty awarded, presumably for pushing, as defenders and attackers alike went up for a cross. Slade made no mistake with the kick and when both Sanger and Kane O'Keefe went close and the indomitable Rimmer was forced to limp off the visitors could perhaps see a chance of at least levelling the scores. A Whitchurch break when at one stage they had four against two was rather wasted and as Bemerton upped the pace substitutions and cautions for both sides arrived in equal measure though the game was played in an entirely acceptable spirit. The referee after a long discussion with or lecture for Chalk and an even longer discussion with his assistant appeared to lose his way somewhat in the final minutes with the over liberal use of his yellow card. With the game ticking into stoppage time a Bemerton free kick bounced off the wall and Slade was first to the loose ball and the deficit reduced to one. But Magee and his defence stood firm in the face of crosses and corners and Whitchurch almost had the last word as Coventry broke clear only to shoot straight at Toomer.

TUESDAY 16TH AUGUST

Christchurch 3-1 Downton (Premier Division)

By MIKE TUTRNER at Hurn Bridge

Downton suffered a 3-1 away defeat at Christchurch on Tuesday evening in a Premier Division match which was held up for 45 minutes following a serious injury to a home player.

Ben Osborne was knocked unconscious following an accidental clash with Robins defender Josh Thomas just eight minutes into the match at the Hurn Bridge Sports Ground.
Paramedics were quickly on the scene, however it was fully three-quarters of an hour before the player, believed to have suffered a neck injury, was transferred to an ambulance and taken to Hospital.
Both sets of players continued with warm-up routines as the Christchurch striker received treatment, in a bid to ensure the game was not abandoned.
Some 53 minutes after the game had originally started, play was able to continue.
The visitors settled quicker and Downton newboy Kristian Greer scored on his first team debut ten minutes after the game was restarted - Paul Gulliver, back from suspension, supplying a top notch cross. However, Jeff Softley's side surrendered their lead within 90 seconds - susbstitute Callum Burt, on for the unfortunate Osborne, netting following a swift Christchurch move.
Seven minutes later, the hosts took the lead courtesy of Paul Roberts' opportunistic strike from distance.
Declan McGregor should have put Downton back on level terms moments later but he smashed the ball against the crossbar from close range.
Nine minutes into the second half, Mark Fairbrother extended the hosts' lead. (THANKS TO DENIS MURPHY FOR THE IMAGES)

 

 

Hamworthy United 4-1 New Milton Town (Premier Division)

By ROGER NICHOLSON at the County Ground

Hamworthy picked up their first win of the new season by scoring all five goals at the County Ground. Both teams were eager to make amends for their defeats in the opening games on Saturday, and were keen to get their first points on the board. In the end the Hammers ground out a result rather than play their best football, this after going behind to an early own goal. Dan Haysom was still not up for selection serving the second of his two match suspension left over from last season.
Hamworthy began by taking the game to their opponents with Luke Burbidge just shaving the foot of the post with his shot in the first few minutes. New Milton took an early lead in the tenth minute much against the run of play, and what a bizarre goal it was. A high lob into the penalty box looked to be no danger until a terrible mix up between Keeper Sean Lillington and Greg Horlock. As the ball dropped, the United defender stretched out a foot and knocked it past his Keeper who was favourite to win the ball, and into the empty net. Luckily for the Hammers Town's lead only lasted a couple of minutes. Sam Lanahan took full advantage of another mistake, this time by the New Milton Keeper to put his team level. Hamworthy continued to create chances despite New Milton working very hard to close them down at every opportunity. With thirty minute gone United took the lead their amount of possession deserved. Diane Bassiriki threaded an accurate through ball to Luke Burbidge who made no mistake with a low drive into the corner of the net. New Milton's'goal scoring opportunities were far and few between and what there were ably dealt with by Michael White and his men.
HT 2-1
The second half continued with the Hammers on top, but not really playing at their best, and the Town working hard, but not really creating a lot from it. Hamworthy increased their lead about a quarter of an hour into the second period. Diane Bassiriki scored his debut league goal for the Club since joining from Poole Town. He celebrated his goal with a double somersault. For a period after this the Hammers appeared to sit back, and let New Milton back into the game. This nearly proved costly, and they very nearly conceded another goal. It took a very good last ditch save by Sean Lillington to save the day after his team in front of him had allowed New Milton too much time and space to manoeuvre.  This near miss acted as a wake up call to the Home side, and they put the game beyond all doubt with a little over ten minutes remaining. Greg Horlock this time scored in the right end with a powerful header direct from a corner. This gave the score-line a fairer reflection of the game. To their credit New Milton never gave up and continued to fight until the final whistle, but on this evidence they could have a long hard struggle in front of them.

MONDAY 15TH AUGUST

Bemerton Heath Harlequins 5-1 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By GREG BOUGHTON at Alrebury Park

Alresford started brightly on Monday night at Western Way, with Mike McEnery firing at Quins' keeper Freddie Toomer from point-blank range after two minutes. A defender cleared desperately off the home goal-line - many thought the ball had gone in - seconds later from a goalmouth scramble.
After a promising opening 25 minutes, though, Alresford's creaky defence was breached.  Craig Lewis showed skill in midfield and fed Joe Sanger, who turned past his defender and whipped the ball into the bottom corner to put Bemerton ahead.  A second goal followed on 40 minutes when Jack Slade ran in to apply a slick side-foot far post finish to Jack Eves' free-kick.
The Magpies suffered another blow just after the break when Jason Minton limped off with suspected ligament damage following a fierce 50-50 clash for the ball.  But they rallied, and McEnery pulled it back to 2-1 on 60 minutes from Warren Bentley's pass.
After that, though, the Alresford defence caved in.  On 64 minutes Chris Waller, buffeted as he came for a cross, failed to get any distance on his punch and another scramble ensued, Slade getting the final touch.
On 66 minutes Eves' surging run from left-back finished with a pass to Sanger, who like his strike partner grabbed a second goal.  And on 71 minutes Neil Williams was presented with a simple finish after another bout of pinball in the visitors' box.
5-1 was bad enough, but Alresford had to play the final few minutes with ten men after sub Gary Bagley was sent off for a reckless late challenge on Sanger.

SATURDAY 13TH AUGUST

Alton Town 4-1 Alresford Town (Premier Division)

By KEITH CURTIS at The Bass Sports Ground

An away defeat, conceding four goals in the process against local rivals, was hardly the start to the season that Alresford would have wanted if they are to improve on last season's best-ever league placing of 15th in the Wessex Premier.
The home side applied the pressure in the first 15 minutes, taking the lead through Steve Brown's header from a long throw from the left. Alresford were fortunate not to be further behind as Alton had already created five clear chances, and only a plucky display by Magpies keeper Chris Waller kept them at bay.
Gradually the visitors started to make progress, new signing Josh Warren showing glimpses of pace and skill to provide crosses for Ash Ledger, Mike McEnery and James Davis - none of whom managed to trouble the home keeper.
Alton increased their lead at the start of the second half through Sam Knight from 12 yards after Alresford's defensive frailties were exposed again. But five minutes later Alresford reduced the deficit after Warren's mazy run across the box and a flick back to Davis. His header was turned into the home goal by McEnery.
As Alresford pressed down both flanks through Warren and sub Danilo Cadete their chances became more frequent. Craig Atkinson in the home goal saved well from Warren Bentley on 59 minutes and then McEnery hit the post when clear through with only the keeper to beat.
Despite the Magpies' improvement it was the home side scored again on 79 minutes when sub Ian Dyer netted following a goalmouth scramble to make it 3-1. Alresford sub Tom Riddell had a goalbound shot tipped over the bar by Atkinson for a corner, but two minutes from time Alton netted their fourth through Jonny Gray to set the seal on a fine win.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1-0 Brading Town (Premier Division)

From www.bradingfc.com

A depleted Brading Town put up a battling performance at last season's runners-up, Bemerton. Unfortunately, a goal five minutes before the interval was enough to give the hosts all three points.

Manager Steve Brougham always knew the first game of the season would be a tough fixture, even before the opposition was known. Captain Joe Rayner, Kyle Levrier, Will Quigley, Jack Morris and James Butt all out due to suspension. However, Brougham's task was made even harder with the unavailability of Scott Jones, Josh Appell and Giancarlo Giancovich. A number of players were drafted in from last year's reserve side, Jake Younie, Scott Lawson, Nathan Lewis, Simon Armstrong, Ben Armstrong and Josh Woodnutt. They were joined by new signings Brian Attrill and Ollie Wilson.

On an excellent playing surface, Bemerton made the early running. However, apart from a strike from just outside the box, which was comfortably saved by True, Brading did not look in any danger. As the half wore on, the visitors confidence grew. An Attrill header flew inches over the bar.

Five minutes before the half-time whistle, the home side made the breakthrough. A long clearance from the keeper down the left, found a Bemerton player in space, he centred the ball to Slade, his fierce low drive from the edge of the box gave True no chance. HT 1-0.

Straight after the restart Bemerton almost made it two, a shot from the right beat True, but somehow Fleming managed to clear it off the line. The second half saw the home side do most of the attacking. True was in top form, making two superb saves, one from a close range header and another from a chip that was dipping in, until the keeper got his fingertips to it and turned it over the bar.

Brading's star man though, was Fleming, displaying a master-class in defending. Fleming made a number of last minute tackles and was winning all the important aerial battles. Lawson also impressed, filling in for the missing captain admirably, winning header after header in midfield and driving forward when possible.

With ten minutes remaining Ben Armstrong made his first team debut, replacing his brother Simon. Minutes later Woodnutt also made his Wessex debut, when the hard-working Sprooles came off with a head injury. F-T 1 v 0.

 

Blackfield & Langley 0-1 Winchester City (Premier Division)

By MATT RICHBELL at the Gang Warily Stadium

A last-gasp Charlie Smeeton lob was enough to give Winchester City a 1-0 away win at Blackfield & Langley. In a hard-fought, tough tackling encounter, it appeared as if it was going to be a tale of missed chances before a long ball from Ryan Gosney found its way to Smeeton who lobbed the onrushing goalkeeper, Hutchins, and gave City all three points. Darryl Phillips had several opportunities early on for City as did Graham Lindsey but both didn't hit the target. Charlton Clarke headed wide for the hosts from a corner on a rare foray forward in the first half whilst Graham Lindsey squandered several further chances. After half-time and several substitutions, the game began to become stretched and Blackfield Paul Preston caused problems for City. Preston had an effort saved before he struck the post with ten minutes remaining. Just when it seemed that both sides would have to settle for a point, Smeeton raced on to a long ball by Ryan Gosney and finished much to the delight of the City supporters.

Brockenhurst 5-0 Andover New Street (Division One)

From www.andovernewstreetfc.co.uk

Sadly this was not the start Andover New Street were looking for and it was a disappointing display after some impressive pre-season performances. Going to a relegated side on the opening game of the season is never a good option and with Brockenhurst having retained the majority of last season's squad it was always going to be difficult, with the home side intent on showing that they intend their stay in Division One to be as brief as possible.

'Street' were not helped by the absence of Bobby Swayne, Dave Tasker and George Dallarda for various reasons or by the seemingly late withdrawal of Isaac Sedu and the game took a while to get going with the first real threat on goal not coming until the ten minute mark. Joe Douda was rather harshly penalised on the right hand touchline and Michael Mead's glancing header from Matt Malloy's free kick finished high in the roof of the net. 'Street' came back well with a long Steve Caswell throw causing confusion in the home area, Nic Oliver heading wide and Danny Sullivan only inches the wrong side of the post after Alex Dumbaya's run had made the opening. A clever Sullivan lob was acrobatically tipped round the post by the experienced O'Rourke in the home goal before Andover New Street gave the ball away carelessly in midfield, Kenna's quick pass released Malloy and the winger easily beat the stranded Alex Thompson to make it two with the half not yet at the midway point. This marked the start of a bad spell for the visitors with Mead shooting across the face of goal after three defenders had gone for the same ball and an effort from Zac Willis clipping the corner of post and bar. Adam Calaco outpaced the defence in pursuit of a Sullivan through ball but his lob cleared both keeper and bar and when the striker did get the ball in the net he was rightly adjudged offside. A uLke Soulby volley was too high but Street were still wasteful in midfield, where Brock's Warren Kenna hardly wasted a ball, and the midfielder was wide after another Malloy run before Thompson saved well from Mike Spinney. Two nil down at the break would perhaps have left ‘Street' with a chance but three corners in quick succession in the last minute of the half ended with the third, from Ben Sullivan, finishing inside the far post and the home side headed happily for the dressing rooms with a comfortable three goal cushion.

‘Street's' woe deepened a minute after the re-start when Sullivan limped off to be replaced by Moses Chimna and after Douda had collected the first caution of the afternoon for bringing down the speedy Malloy Soulby turned a Caswell through ball past the advancing O'Rourke only to see Carlo Tate clear the ball off the line. A Stuart Anderson header from a corner suffered the same fate but any faint hope ‘Street' had of rescuing a point disappeared after eleven minutes as Brockenhurst made it four with the best goal of the game. Kenna's ball inside the full back sent Malloy clear and his low cross was turned in by Spinney at the far post with the defence nowhere. Oliver picked up a caution for protesting against one of the numerous odd refereeing decisions that plagued both sides throughout the afternoon and Antony Walters came on for Calaco with Douda moving up front Anderson was next in the book after claiming he was fouled in the area and was then awarded a free kick in the centre circle after suffering an identical challenge.Touray saw one free kick beat both the keeper and the far post and another pushed none too convincingly round the post.and to their credit Street were still going forward and in the space of ninety seconds both Anderson and Soulby struck the crossbar. The home side however had the last word as with just over five minutes remaining. they made it five when substitute Mark Barker turned Spinney's cross against the post and then re-acted quickly to prod the loose ball into the net to complete a miserable afternoon for the visitors.

Hamworthy United 1-2 GE Hamble (Premier Division)

By ROGER NICHOLSON at The County Ground

There were a few disappointed Hamworthy faces both on and off the field at the end of the ninety minutes. After taking the lead with a very well worked goal fifteen minutes from time, the Hammers proceeded to lose the game with two lapses of concentration in the last ten minutes. Hambles's name was not the only change that they have made this season. They fielded several new faces and are a lot bigger, stronger and more experienced team this time round. On this showing they should be end the season in at least a top six position. All this said the Hammers matched Hamble for most of the match, and created more and better goal scoring opportunities than their opponents over the ninety minutes.
The first half saw both Teams cancel each other out with both defences on top. There was a complete lack of any real goal scoring opportunities with neither Keeper being called upon to make anything other than routine saves. The sheer physical size of many of the Hamble side meant that they would always be dangerous from set pieces, and Michael White and his fellow defenders did well to keep that danger at bay. Although goal scoring opportunities were practically non existent the play was certainly not boring as both teams probed for an opening, unfortunately without much success.
HT 0-0
The second half followed the same pattern as the first for the first twenty minutes, but then gradually play began to open up. Diane Bassiriki and Luke Burbidge began to get the ball fed through to them on the deck rather than in the air which had always made Lloyd Webber and Co favourites to win the ball. Bassiriki went close with a snap shot from distance shortly before the Hammers opened the scoring in the seventy fifth minute. A quick exchange of passes between Sam Lanahan and Diane Bassiriki saw the Hamworthy new striker cleverly break into the right hand side of the box before picking out Luke Burbidge running through the centre. Last season's top goal scorer kept his cool to find the corner of the net giving the Hamble Keeper no chance. The Hammers continued to apply the pressure and struck the post soon after, although the Referees Assistant had his flag up. Hamble raised their game and threw men forward in an attempt to get back into the game. Sean Lillington then made three magnificent point blank range saves to keep the Hammer's lead, and frustrate the Hamble strikers. This all proved to be in vain however when some slack marking from a corner allowed Ashley Jarvis a free close range header to score almost immediately afterwards. Things were going to get worse for the Hammers with less than five minutes remaining and a draw looking to be on the cards. United were breaking out of defence, and had several options on, but unfortunately Will Robinson who had run his socks off all afternoon passed the ball straight to a Hamble player.

Moneyfields 3-2 Christchurch (Premier Division)

From www.christchurchfc.co.uk

After a successful pre-season Church were optimistic of starting the season with all 3 points. However they were brought back to earth with a bump against a home side who deserved the win.
On a pleasant day and the pitch in good condition Church got off to the worst possible start on 5 minutes when a ball from the left hand side left the defence completely exposed and a home player in yards of space finished clinically from 10 yards giving keeper Kearns no chance. Matters nearly got worse after quarter of an hour when Moneyfields hit the bar. This then resulted in Church having a good spell of possession but not really testing the home keeper and it came as no surprise when the home side doubled their lead after 33 minutes when another cross into the penalty area resulted in a shot from close range. Church were then given a lifeline shortly before half time when Sam Griffin was fouled in the penalty area and Paul Roberts netted easily from the spot.

The second half started with Adam Costello being substituted with skipper Dan Crutchley moving back from midfield to his normal central defence position, Jon Grace moving to full back and Chris Smith entering the fray in midfield.
Early in the second period there were two pieces of action in 2 minutes that could have had a direct affect on the game. Firstly the home side should have increased their lead but a clear opportunity resulted in a scuffed shot and then at the other end Paul Roberts was denied an equaliser by an excellent save by the home keeper. For the next 20 minutes the game was fairly even but Kearns was the busier of the two keepers and it came as no surprise when after an excellent passing movement Moneyfields increased their lead on 67 minutes. However Church even when not playing well do show character and substitute Callum Burt came close to netting a second and eventually Ben Osborne netted on 82 minutes when he turned his marker neatly. The visitors then pushed forward searching for an unlikely equaliser but this was not forthcoming.

 

Pewsey Vale 0-0 Team Solent (Division One)
By JEFF MATTHEWS at The Recreation Ground

Pewsey Vale opened their 2011/12 campaign with a home clash against league newcomers Team Solent. The Vale could have taken an early lead on the 10th minute during a goalmouth scramble,but the visitors defence,cleared away the danger. Both sides had their chances in the early stages, without achieving a break through. Team Solent went close and forced a couple corners, after having a claim for handball turned down,by the Referee,but the Vale goalkeeper Richard Payne, pulled off some important saves,as the game flowed from end to end. The second half continued as in the first with no side able to take any advantage. Payne was injured after going down to save at the feet of a Solent forward, but was able to continue after treatment. The Vale brought on Sam Mepham for Dean Smart as Team Solent stepped up their pressure, but Pewsey also had their moments and Mepham came close as he shot over the Solent bar.
Team Solent and the Vale made more changes with the Vale bringing on Craig Wall for Micky Martin.With the final minutes ticking away, Ryan Banks was denied the chance to give the Vale the win as the Solent goalkeeper Barry Squires made a great save to earn his side a share of the points.

FRIDAY 12TH AUGUST

Romsey Town 1-0 Bournemouth Poppies (Premier Division)

By MATT RICHBELL at the Bypass Ground

ROMSEY TOWN are top of the Premier Division table after their first game of the season following a 1-0 home victory against BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES at the Bypass Ground. Simon De'Ath's first half header was enough to give Town all three points in front of a crowd of 158. Bournemouth Poppies started well and on six minutes, Jon Blake had a 20-yard effort saved by debutant keeper, Steve Hollicks, but the ball skirmed through the keeper and rolled towards the line. The Assistant Referee signalled goal to the visitors but following consultation, the referee over-ruled the linesman and gave a drop ball, the correct decision. De'Ath headed Town into the lead, looping his header over Max Frampton midway through the first half, and new signing Ben White came close on the half-hour when his header was saved. Dave Ewen fired wide moments later from a tight angle following neat build-up play with fellow Poppies debutant, Martin Warren. Warren headed against the crossbar shortly before half-time as Poppies looked for an equaliser. After the restart, Simon De'Ath had a flicked header saved before Poppies made a double substitution in a bid to get back in the game. On the hour, Romsey produced the best move of the game, when a three-man passing move resulted in Max Sampays getting into a one-on-one and his effort just went wide of Frampton's near post. Richard Jackson was carried off for Poppies on 63 minutes and replaced by Dan Taylor. Max Crow shot wide from distance with twenty minutes remaining and Poppies also had a further effort blocked as they strived for the leveller. Substitute Jake Rowley shot wide near the end and right at the death, following a corner, Ollie Philipson-Masters shot just wide from inside the box.

 

SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST

Poole Borough 1-8 Hamworthy United (Pre Season Friendly)

By ROGER NICHOLSON

The Wessex League side dominated the game from start to finish against their near Magna Dorset Premier League neighbours. They held a 4-0 lead at the break which could easily have been double that had they taken half of the many chances that they created. The Hammers played possession football in the second half and scored the goal of the game shortly after the break. A move was started deep in defence and it finished up with the ball in the Poole net without a Borough player touching it. The Home side scored with a well taken goal before United added three further goals before the end of play. To their credit Borough tried right to the end, but the opposition was just too good for them on the day.

Winchester City 1-2 AFC Totton (Pre Season Friendly)

By STEVEN WOODGATE at The Denplan City Ground

Guy Butters was left disappointed after seeing his side lose to a last minute Michael Gosney penalty. The sides were level, with Winchester being on top for the majority of the game, before the referee awarded the spot kick which turned out to be the last kick of the game. Butters said, "It was another good game seeing they brought their first team and gave us a real go. We matched them and their manager (Stuart Ritchie) was full of praise for the lads. "We're disappointed to have lost but the last minute goal was a killer and that was not really fair on the lads." Gosney, an ex-Winchester City player, put the Zamaretto League Division One South and West Champions ahead after converting Jon Davies' cross from close range before Darryl Phillips continued his fine goal scoring form. The ex-Winchester Castle striker superbly finished Alex Easton's quick cross to claim his seventh pre-season goal. It was the minimum City deserved as some fine attacking football saw Sol Asajile, Phillips and ex-Southampton midfielder Tom Dunford all go close for the Sydenhams Football League Premier Division side. Gosney had the best chances for the Stags but most of his efforts were blocked, intercepted or saved well by Winchester's mean defence. The game was constantly dogged with stoppages and errors by the referee; even the mild-mannered Leigh Mills was surprisingly booked for dissent. The man in the middle then awarded the late penalty which Gosney converted for his second of the game to give Winchester only their second defeat of pre-season. Butters knows the season is creeping up though and the extensive pre-season campaign has not helped him in deciding a starting eleven when the season kicks off on Saturday at Blackfield & Langley. "We do have another chance to look at the squad with the friendly on Monday against Sholing. So many players are performing so well and it's hard going to very difficult to choose a starting eleven for the game next week. "All players have showed a great attitude and it's going to give me some headaches this week."

TUESDAY 2ND AUGUST

Hamworthy United 1-3 Weymouth (Pre Season Friendly)

By ROGER NICHOLSON at The County Ground

The Evo-Stik Southern Premier Team brought a strong side to the County Ground consisting mainly of First Team players including Ex-Hammer Warren Byerley. Weymouth always had slightly the better of things but the Hammers battled well, and with a little bit of luck could have had a couple more goals themselves. The score was 1-1 at the break with Luke Burbidge taking full advantage of a defensive slip to equalize McKenzie's opener. Both Teams made changes after the break and Hamworthy twice went close to taking the lead. First Diane Bassiriki's clever lob just cleared the bar with the Weymouth Keeper struggling to get back to save. He did however save brilliantly from what looked to be a goal bound shot by Luke Burbidge. Weymouth replied by taking full advantage of some mistakes by the new Hamworthy defensive line up to score with two headers from Gerring and Byerley.

SATURDAY 30TH JULY

AFC Totton 3-2 Bemerton Heath Harlequins (Pre Season Friendly)

By GLENN DONOVAN at Little Testwood Park

The home side might have been under the illusion that this was going to be an easy route to Sunday's Final of this Linden Homes Cup.
If that was the case then Bemerton proved everyone wrong by making a game of this semi-final clash.
They were fit, strong and competed for everything.
Totton were frustrated by their play and found it hard to put their passing game together.
The 0-0 half-time deadlock reflected a difficulty in separating the teams as favourite to the eventual outcome.
A 'game of two halves' summed up the second period.
The deadlock was broken quickly by Jonathan Davies who opened up the visitors defence to claim the 1st goal on 53 minutes.
An easy tap in by Michael Charles, delivered from a great cross gave the stags a 2-0 cushion on 60 minutes.
Bemerton responded, showing the sort of form that earned them 2nd spot in the Wessex Premier League last term.
They picked up the baton, ran with it and opened up their contribution with a great goal within the next 10 minutes.
Kane O'Keefe, unmarked just outside the area lashed home a deserved repost to make it 2-1 with 70 minutes on the clock.
Totton failed again to pick up the run of Adam Jones who calmly rounded the Home keeper to slot home the Harlequins equaliser to make it 2-2 at the 78 minute mark.
Stefan Brown was fortunate to latch on to the loose ball in a crowded penalty area that gave Totton a 3-2 advantage on 85 minutes after a good passing build up deserved a more superior finish.
With time running out Bemerton staged a last ditch attempt to take the game to a penalty outcome.
However, despite a flowing move that delivered a great cross into the box, the Home keeper was alert to the goal bound header that caught his finger tips
Grant Porter's agility that pushed the ball away for a corner on the stroke of 90 minutes saved AFC Totton's day, and spurred on the rest of his team mates to complete 5 mins of injury time in control of their place in the Final.

Andover New Street 4-1 Thatcham Town (Pre Season Friendly)

By JOHN GORMAN at Foxcotte Park

New Street won their own Dango Tournament for the first time since 1996 with a convincing win over Southern League Thatcham Town's reserve side on a warm and muggy afternoon at Foxcotte Park on Saturday, and it was a performance that perhaps bodes well for Brian Drury's side in their forthcoming Wessex League campaign.
Thatcham were first to show with the lively Matt Madders bursting through but Dave Tasker narrowed the angle and the effort was wide before Street took the lead with only seven minutes played. Joe Douda made ground down the right before pulling the ball back into Bobby Swayne's path and thehome skipper's shot was turned past goalkeeper Steve Howe by the predatory Danny Sullivan. Douda and Isaac Sedu combined neatly down the right again but the cross was too long before Madders chanced his arm from distance at the other end and was not too far away. A long throw by Steve Caswell, which George Dallardo turned across the goal and inches wide of the far post ,heralded a spell of New Street pressure in which a Sullivan shot was blocked and Dallardo was too high on the turn and the Thatcham defence survived a goalmouth scramble. Madders brought some relief to the visitors with a long run but lacked support before play returned to the other end with a snatched shot from Swayne just too high and a Sullivan effort too straight. Nic Oliver, impressive alongside Swayne in midfield ,saw a header and low drive saved by Howe before turning provider with a superb through ball that Dallardo lifted over the advancing goalkeeper but also just over the bar. Gary Dredge was too high in a rare attack by the visitors and half time came with New Street well worth their one goal advantage.
Alex Thompson replaced Dave Tasker in the Street goal for the re-start and after Pa Touray's neat footwork had halted one Thatcham attack the defence gave away an unneccessary corner and Thompson was forced into early action in saving from Tom Willoughby, who was at Andover in their Wessex League days. Oliver and Luke Soulby created an opening for the dangerous Dallardo with Howe tipping the shot round the post and from the corner Swayne saw his shot cleared off the line. New Street were not to be denied however and another corner from the right saw Dallardo control the ball at the far post and neatly turn one hundred and eighty degrees before firing the ball high into the roof of the net. Madders failed to take advantage of a defensive slip at the other end, firing high and wide with only Thompson in front of him, before Casson Spencer, who had replaced Soulby, won and took a corner on the left and Bobby Swayne's trademark header at the far post made the game safe with only fifteen minutes of the half played.Both sides were now making full use of the numbers boards and Liam Edwards, on for Dallardo, saw one shot blocked and another cleared off the line before Howe went down bravely at Stuart Anderson's feet to deny what would have been a very popular goal. New Street's pressure finally told again when Sedu's control and  blistering pace took him clear on the right with Edwards tucking home the cross and although Dredge snatched a consolation goal for the visitors the game was by now well wrapped up as far as the home side were concerned. There was still time for Swayne to fire across the face of goal and another Sedu cross to cause panic in the Thatcham area before the final whistle brought an end to a convincing New Street performance.
Bobby Swayne collected the Player of the Tournament Award from Ady Aspinall - nice to see him back at Foxcotte after his recent health problems - and in a gesture entirely fitting to the occasion then ushered Stuart Anderson forward to collect the trophy and bring an enjoyable afternoon to a close.

 

FRIDAY 29TH JULY

Totton & Eling 2-2 Thatcham Town (Pre Season Friendly)

By GLENN DONOVAN at Little Testwood Park

A revitalised pitch & a 1st competitive match on home soil this season produced a fast paced game and a hardworking performance from the hosts in this, the opening duel of the Linden Homes Trophy.
Thatcham took an early lead after 10 minutes through Mark Green who was well positioned inside the 6 yard area.
Recent signing Paddy James got things back on level terms with a great strike on 20 mins, before Craig Feeney's hard work produced a deserved lead with his brave effort some 4 minutes later.

A 2-1 lead at the break was arguably deserved by the Home side although the visitors certainly made it a great viewing platform for the neutral.

The second half was equal to the first period that entertained a disappointing attendance of approx' 80 people.
On 55 mins Totton gave away possesion going forward from inside their own half.
A defended break-away resulted in a corner for Thatcham, with the directed set piece finished well inside the box to bring the score level at 2-2.
An altercation involving Paddy James resulted in the striker being booked on the hour.
10 minutes later, central defender Wakefield's late tackle earned him a yellow card.
Both sides had very good chances to win this match in normal time.
However, with no extra time available for this fixture, the dreaded penalty shoot out decided the outcome.

 

Winchester City 5-1 Portsmouth XI (Pre Season Friendly)

By MATT RICHBELL at the Denplan City Ground

WINCHESTER CITY produced a five star display as they beat a Portsmouth XI 5-1 at the Denplan City Ground. Alex Easton put the hosts ahead after just two minutes from the penalty spot and City doubled their lead on 24 minutes when Daryl Phillips lobbed the onrushing Portsmouth goalkeeper. Pompey pulled a goal back on the half hour mark when Chineuvineau coolly finished past Ryan Gosney. Tom Dunford and Chris Mason both fired over for City late on in the first half. Alex Easton scored his second of the game on 70 minutes to make it 3-1 from a one-on-one and three became four just a couple of minutes later when Mike Byrne headed home a Leigh Mills cross from close range. Portsmouth had an opportunity to close the gap, but they blazed a penalty over the crossbar. Substitute Sol Asajile netted the final goal of the game in stoppage time to make the final score 5-1.

Winchester City 5-1 Portsmouth XI (Pre Season Friendly)

By STEVEN WOODGATE at the Denplan City Ground

Alex Easton's penalty and a strike from Darryl Phillips put City two goals up before Portsmouth managed to get a goal back through Chinedu Vine. Easton scored his second before goals from Sol Asajile and Mike Byrne put the visitors out of sight. Kyle Wells completed Pompey's humiliation when he skied a penalty over the bar. "It's been a good pre-season and with the lads all performing well, I'm going to have some headaches sorting out the team. We have a good squad and deciding 11 players is going to be difficult." The hosts started the game brightly and immediately took the lead. Easton coolly converted a penalty before his strike partner Phillips put City two goals ahead with a touch of class. Phillips superbly chipped the advancing Matt Gledhill after Charlie Smeeton robbed Dan Butler of possession and supplied the perfect through ball. Portsmouth benefitted from a lapse in defence and Vine salvaged a goal back, slotting in from close range. The home side played the ball around with venom and the commanding Leigh Mills produced a wonderful bit of skill for Easton's second goal. The midfielder brilliantly controlled the ball with his chest under pressure and volleyed a ball over Pompey's backline for Easton to run on to and slot past the helpless Gledhill to give his side a two goal advantage. The visitors had the chance the get back into the game but Wells blasted a penalty kick over after the referee penalised Alex Przespolewski for tripping the striker. Centre half Mike Byrne made sure Pompey paid for the miss as he got on the end of Tom Dunford's corner and gave the keeper no chance. Sol Asajile wrapped things up with a cool finish after exchanging passes with Dunford to complete an excellent and commanding performance. Owner Paul McCarthy is clearly delighted with how things are going and is inviting the residents of Winchester to come down and watch. He said, "The fans were fantastic, they really got behind the team and they can see the hard work that is going on here."This is only the shape of things to come as we are putting together a brilliant squad of players.""The City of Winchester deserves a great side and we want to create that."

 

TUESDAY 26TH JULY

Laverstock & Ford 4-0 Amesbury Town (Pre Season Friendly)

By MARK HILTON at The Dell

Laverstock ran out comfortable 4-0 winners in this pre-season friendly at Church Road. They opened the scoring within the first minute when Josh Waters spun on the spot and lashed home to give the home side a dream start. Amesbury had a chance on 10 minutes when Shaun Auger's cross just evaded Craig Wheeler but Laverstock got the ball back up to Eddie Perrett who ran clear and rounded Danny Harrison to make the score 2-0. Perrett then saw an effort hit the side netting before another home effort cannoned off the cross bar. Half way through the first half Laverstock went 3-0 up. Hesitancy in the Amesbury defence led to a clumsy challenge and Elliott Wykes was able to step up and slot home the resulting penalty. Amesbury enjoyed plenty of possession but were unable to create any clear cut chances and the score stayed at 3-0 at half time. Both sides made substitutions and at half time Amesbury brought on 16 year old goalkeeper, Joey McEntee. He had a dream start as he magnificently tipped over Joey Weeks dipping shot in the first minute of the restart. He then went on to make further good saves and almost turned provided when his long kick found Craig Wheeler whose lobbed effort just missed the far post. Amesbury almost got a goal back when a long ball forward by Tom Wheeler found Darren Crook but his shot was well saved. It was Laverstock who completed the scoring when Josh Waters scored from a diving header five minutes from time.

MONDAY 25TH JULY

Winchester City 4-0 Bracknell Town (Pre Season Friendly)

By BEN HORLOCK at the Denplan City Ground

Winchester City continued their impressive pre-season campaign with a comfortable 4-0 win over Steve Mcclurg's Bracknell Town.
Goals from Chris Mason, Daryl Phillips, Graham Lindsay and a penalty from Conor McCarthy was enough to condemn the Berkshire outfit to defeat after they only registered one effort on target throughout the game.
Winchester raced out of the traps from the start and began asking all the questions to which the Bracknell backline were surplus for answers.
Tom Dunford was pulling all the strings from midfield with Phillips and Lindsay making themselves a regular nuisance upfront.
The first effort from the hosts came when commanding centre-back Mike Byrne powered a header over the bar from a Dunford corner.
This warning proved just to be a feeble ‘knock on the door' with the real onslaught imminent. City's impressive link up play allowed a chance for Lindsay but his left footed strike was blocked when a goal looked easier.
The energetic Phillips was at the heart of everything good from Guy Butter's side and his left footed cross could only be glanced wide by Lindsay with the keeper stranded.
With 11 minutes on the clock the hosts did finally break the dead lock when midfielder Mason was teed up by Charlie Smeeton. Mason's long range strike had too much direction on it and Chris Adams was unable to scramble across his goal in time.
Skipper Leigh Mills then had the chance to double the lead but he saw his toothless effort saved by Adams.
With the half hour approaching Phillips finally got his name on the score sheet. A deep cross evaded Lindsay and the unmarked Phillips had the simple task of tapping into an empty net.
Lindsay then got the goal he craved when Dunford's rasping long range effort was inexplicably spilled by Adams and Lindsay had the simple task of tapping in from a couple of yards just before half time.
The start of the second half started exactly how the first had finished when McCarthy got himself on the score sheet. Dunford was brought down in the box and the defender scored with aplomb to put the game beyond Bracknell.
An influx of substitutes from Butter's slightly hindered the flow of the game but impressive performances from Dwayne Awusah-Peasah and Jordan Parke will certainly give the former Brighton man a selection headache ahead of the Portsmouth game.
After the game Butter's said he believes things are fallen into shape ahead of the big kick-off. He said, "The lads have done very well again tonight. We worked well, displayed an excellent attitude and overall I am delighted.
"I don't want to count all my chickens before they have hatched but if we fine tune a few things in training-mainly on set pieces then we should look forward to a strong campaign."
McClurg was quick to blame the defeat on a lack of players availability. He said, "At the moment we have a few missing due to holidays and work commitments but Winchester simply outplayed us everywhere today."
Winchester City XI play host to Locks Heath Thursday evening at the Denplan Stadium. (7.45). 

SATURDAY 23RD JULY

Andover New Street 3-2 AFC Aldermaston (Pre Season Friendly)

By JOHN GORMAN at Foxcotte Park

Two goals in the final quarter of an hour gave New Street victory over a spirited Aldermaston side in the first of the pre-season friendlies at Foxcotte on Saturday. In bright sunshine the home side started with new faces in Josh Taylor, Joe Doudo and George Gillardo and also included Alex Thompson, Luke Soulby and youth team full back Robbie Henderson and were quickly intio their stride. Gillardo was too high in the opening minute and then had an effort disallowed for offside before the opening goal after thirteen minutes. Soulby was stopped omn the left touchline at the expense of a throw which Steve Caswell hurled into the area and Nic Oliver's backward header looped into the far corner of the net. Antony Waters halted a dangerous attack at the expense of a corner from which the visitors sent a free header wide before Doudo's pace enabled him to fasten on to a back pass but the angle was narrow and the ball went across the face of the goal. Gillardo showed neat control but the shot was too high and as the blue shirted visitors came back into the game as half time approached, Matt Wilkins was narrowly wide and a free kick from the edge of the "D" was straight at Thompson.
Street made six changes at the break with another new face in Djameno Marfo and a return to the ranks after half a dozen seasons "up the road" for Bobby Swayne, playing again after a year's break from the game. The visitors started the second half as the finished the first and were rewarded with an early equaliser as a long through ball found the home defence looking somewhat square and Wilkins slotted the ball past Dave Tasker. Aldermaston ,  playing down the slope, were now dominating the game and quickly added a second when Wilkins was halted by a well timed tackle by Will Emerson but Chris Allen was quickest to the loose ball and easily beat the stranded Tasker. Oliver was too high from distance and the visitiors were fortunate when Prince intercepted a clearance but, off balance, scooped the ball over the bar. With fifteen minutes remaining , New Street claimed an equaliser when Bobby Swayne forced his way through two challenges to set up Adam Colaco, a further substitute, and the shot flew high into the net.  Tasker blocked a close range effort with his legs and Caswell saw a shot pushed round the post at the other end before Nic Oliver claimed his second goal of the game, curling the balll high into the net after Isaac Sedu's cross rebounded into his path. There was still time for Tasker pull off another close range save with Caswell completing the clearance before the whistle signalled the end of a ninety minutes which surely helped both sides as they move towards the season. Aldermaston will feel that they probably deserved a draw but results are to a large extent immaterial in pre season and they can be happy with their performance whilst Brian will no doubt have seen a lot that pleased him.

Winchester City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion XI (Pre Season Friendly)

By STEVEN WOODGATE at the Denplan City Ground

Guy Butters believes that all teams should follow Brighton & Hove Albion's ethos on football.

Butters, now Winchester City's manager and Brighton's community officer, has legend status on the South Coast and after watching his current side play out a 1-1 draw with the Seagulls, he felt that many of the youngsters on display could easily push for the first team.

He said, "Brighton have the right attitude on football. They use the ball very well, the team there don't worry too much about results as they concentrate on playing football the right way."

"All of those players there today could easily slot into the first team, and at Brighton they get every team through all levels to play this way. It's a very good thing."

Brighton's development squad, consisting of youngsters and trialists, took an early lead through the impressive Leon Redwood, when he slotted in George Barker's centre.

Winchester equalised just before the break through Tom Dunford after he exchanged passes with Dan Reeve down the right.

Butters was again pleased with his sides effort and resilience after fighting back from a goal down.

He said, "It was a good game, I knew that they would be better than Bournemouth [last Thursday] and that's why we played five in midfield to accommodate their movement.

"We took ten minutes or so to adjust to the system; but after they scored, we became much better and made our impact on the game."

After Redwood's fifth minute strike, City regrouped well and could have equalised a few minutes later but Dunford's shot flew narrowly over.

New capture Chris Mason lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper Daniel East but the ball bounced off the post for Jamie Strong to clear. East, making his debut for the Seagulls after signing from Wolves last week, required stitches and was promptly substituted.

His replacement, Mitch Walker, was immediately called into action, having to save high to his left from Dunford's 25 yard free kick.

Dunford, troubling Albion all afternoon, slotted home after exchanging passes with the advancing Reeve to bring the score level. He buried the ball in the bottom left hand corner.

Alex Przespolewski, playing as the spare man in midfield, combined well with Lindsey but the striker was foiled at the feet of ‘keeper Walker to stop Winchester going ahead.

The second half saw a flurry of substitutions and even an old-timer got a run out. Paul Watson, an ex-Brighton player, made a cameo appearance replacing Strong at right back.

Brighton's assistant physiotherapist almost gifted Daryl Phillips an opening when a weak header back to Walker was capitalised on. The striker was unable to convert as Walker rushed out to push the ball away for a corner.

Brighton had chances to win it late on but George Barker failed to convert Redwood's knock down before Redwood's mazy run ended up with him shooting straight at Ryan Gosney as the game ended in a draw.

THURSDAY 21ST JULY

Winchester City 2-2 AFC Bournemouth XI (Pre Season Friendly)

By STEVEN WOODGATE at the Denplan City Ground

Winchester City and AFC Bournemouth shared four goals in a very entertaining pre-season fixture.

Lyle Taylor opened the scoring, side footing in after good play down the left by trialist Sofiane Choubani.

Substitute Daryl Phillips equalised with a fantastic solo effort before neatly slotting in Juevan Spencer's through ball to give the home side the lead.

Bournemouth equalised late on with a fine strike by Elliot Ward to earn the Cherries a draw.

Guy Butters again reiterated that pre-season is not about results but how the players apply themselves. He said, "I'm not particularly worried about the results, the most important thing is that the players are applying themselves and they are. Today was another good, competitive game against a good Bournemouth side.

"You can tell that they are a few leagues above because of how they are on the ball. At half-time we discussed a few things and changed tactics to give Bournemouth a real go."

The opening half-hour was a scrappy affair with both defences standing firm, effectively cancelling each other out.

Ryan Gosney made a good save after the first 30 minutes, diving well to his right to keep a Josh Wakefield effort out and visiting 'keeper Jordan Seabright was forced into action as well, keeping out Tom Dunford's strike after being put through by Charlie Smeeton.

Jaydon Stockley's height was causing a few problems in Winchester's defence as he managed to out-jump his marker but headed straight at Gosney.

Dunford had a further effort to give Winchester the lead but was saved well by Seabright. Right back Dan Reeve found himself in a good opportunity to score, but shot agonisingly wide after a cross field ball from the impressive Dunford.

However, it was the Cherries who took the lead. Choubani's mazy run down the left caused problems and his centre was easily converted by Taylor from 6 yards, his fifth goal of pre-season.

The second half began similar to the first with both sides holding firm but Butters decided to make some changes that proved pivotal.

Taylor had a chance to put his side further in front but failed to convert Stockley's knock down before the home side started to give the Cherries a real go.

Phillips' first opportunity of the evening was brilliantly blocked after Mike Byrne rose the highest to head across goal. The pair linked up again soon after to devastating affect.

The big defender, and captain for the day, headed a corner to Phillips, for the striker to chest down with his back to goal, then he turned his marker before unleashing a left foot thunderbolt in to the bottom corner to equalise.

The striker then added to his impressive pre-season tally when Spencer laid on a perfectly timed through ball for the ex-Winchester Castle man to finish superbly with the outside of his boot to give his side the lead.

It would have remained that way but for Ward's late intervention. The midfielder found the top corner from 20 yards in the last minute for the Cherries to draw level.

Daryl Phillips admitted that he's keeping his head down and letting his football do the talking despite scoring two spectacular efforts. He said, "The lads here have been very welcoming and I'm settling in well. I'm a quiet person in the dressing room but it's good to get minutes to show what I can do. I took my two goals very well and hope I showed the manager what I'm capable of."

Butters was equally as delighted with Phillips' impact. He said, "Phillips scored two cracking goals and he did his job well. He was good tonight and hope he continues to impress."

Bournemouth manager Lee Bradbury thought City put on a very good contest against his development squad. He said, "Winchester played very well and gave us a very good, competitive game. There are some very good players in the squad and Guy Butters is forming a good side here, there are some talented individuals out there."

City: Gosney (Anderson), Reeve (Adeniji), King (Awusah-Peasah), Byrne, McCarthy, Smeeton (Thomas), Embree (Easton), Mason (Parke), Dunford (Odeh), Lindsey (Spencer), Allen (Phillips).

Cherries: Seabright, Hester (Tallack), Nelson (Strugnell), Sidorwicz, Bowles, Forbes, Wakefield (Ward), Campoy, Choubani (Parsons), Stockley (Moth), Taylor.

TUESDAY 19TH JULY

Downton 0-0 Amesbury Town (Pre Season Friendly)

By MARK HILTON at Wick Lane

Amesbury continued their pre-season with an excellent draw at Sydenhams League (Wessex) division one champions, Downton. Downton had the early pressure and Danny Harrison was forced to make a couple of smart saves. A Matt Holmes free kick almost deceived the Amesbury stopper but he managed to save with his legs and Downton's new signing, Vince Rusher, had a shot just wide after half an hour. Amesbury's Craig Wheeler then saw a shot saved by Charles Aldridge and Toni Camilleri took advantage of a defensive mix up but his shot was agonisingly deflected for a corner. On half time Luke Scott tried to chip Aldridge but the Downton keeper was equal to it.
The second half started as the first had finished with Amesbury on the ascendancy. Camilleri robbed a defender and flashed an effort across goal but there wasn't anyone able to get the final touch. Then on the hour, Darren Crook got the ball off Joe Dorrington and his shot was just wide. Four minutes later Ben Halski poked a shot through but Harrison was able to get his chest behind it and Amesbury replied when Shaun Auger set up Camilleri but Aldridge saved with his legs. With 15 minutes left Crook thrashed another shot just wide from the edge of the box and this was followed by a three man move involving the excellent Ryan Jones, Connor Palmer and Ollie Vines who set up Steve Clarke but his shot was also saved. Dan Gain had a shot go wide for Downton but the best chances were coming from the visitors. Ollie Vines' effort saved by Aldridge  with 10 minutes left and Crook again took advantage of sloppy defending but again Aldridge was there to save the day.

Hamworthy United 2-1 Verwood Town (Pre Season Friendly)

By ROGER NICHOLSON at The County Ground

Simon Browne took advantage of Hamworthy United's third pre-season friendly to another look at the many new faces hoping to play at the County Ground next season. The game was very closely contested, and was a good run out for both sides with the Hammers finishing 2-1 winners. Verwood took the lead just after half time with a well placed Saxby looping header. United equalised soon after, with a goal from ex-Verwood player Lanahan. A well directed free-kick taken by Pidgley found the top corner of the net to give United the win.

SATURDAY 16TH JULY

Horndean 1-2 Gosport Borough (Pre Season Friendly)

By DANNY PHILLIPS at Fiveheads Park

Both teams made plenty of changes with Horndean using an 18 man squad and Boro with around 20. Boro included former Horndean players George Way and Nathan Paxton amongst their 20 man squad much to the home crowds joy.

The Deans enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening period, never allowing the higher league opponents time to settle. Striker Torr Spicer caused problems with his runs as Milroy and Austin attempted to probe passes through to him. Skipper Fennemore dominated the centre of midfield alongside new Fareham signing Dan Hayes and Jack Warren, Fennemore hit the post early on following a trademark late run and Austin was foiled as he reacted just too late to the rebound. SPICER saw an effort from the edge go narrowly wide on the half hour mark, however shortly after managed to find space inside to hit a low shot inside the left post. The hosts looked confident and comfortable on the ball, meanwhile in contrast, other than a scrambled corner and long range effort Plomer in the Horndean goal was rarely troubled by the visitors.

HT Horndean 1-0 Gosport

The 2nd half saw several changes in both teams, Gosport managed to get a grip on the game and created several opportunities whilst enjoying a great deal more of the ball. Early in the 2nd half poor marking allowed supersub Ben Cotton to strike an inch perfect first time effort into the top left corner. Gosport stepped it up a gear as they searched for a winner and Boro manager Alex Pike who handed control of the team today to Karl Lis and Jason Mann would have been pleased to firstly see Cotton win a penalty as he was brought down by Browne with a clumsy tackle and then Lloyd O'Neil send Plomer the wrong way from the spot. Horndean fought back to create a few late chances but first Fairweather then Browne were denied certain goals by the reactions of the Gosport keeper, and the introduction of Sharpe on the left wing almost bore fruit but Gosport held firm.

 

Winchester City 1-0 Southampton Under 18s (Pre Season Friendly)

By STEVEN WOODGATE at The Denplan City Ground

Winchester City continued their impressive pre-season campaign with a well-earned victory over a Southampton Under 18s side.

A Graham Lindsey goal was enough to settle the game but the winning margin could have been much more.

Sol Asajile hit the post and Daryl Phillips was guilty of blasting over from 18 yards as the home side dominated.

Southampton's youngsters showed much maturity with their display but couldn't find a way past City's solid back line.

Guy Butters was in jubilant mood with how things are going with pre-season but insisted that it was to the testament of his players that they are doing so well. He said, "I was very pleased with the performance. Pre-season's there for players to get fit and to be fair, the boys were all fit so we're able to concentrate on the footballing side."

It was Lindsey who scored the goal, heading in from close range from a Martin Beck corner in the first half, and the manager was happy with his talisman's effort.

He said, " Sniffer (Lindsey) has a great knack for being at the right place at the right time. He has scored goals at every club he's been with and he will end up scoring loads more for us."

Southampton's youngsters had plenty of possession but failed to convert great play in to chances and Butters was very impressed with the academy players on display. He said, "It's great for Southampton to give up their time to test our boys and the team they put out were all good footballers. They played very well, keeping the ball and they definitely have some for the future."

"It was a good test for them today. They were all comfortable on the ball and it's about developing a squad then take those skills into the reserve side and the first team. If they have the right attitude and the right attributes they will succeed."

Southampton's team contained many players that featured in the recent Under 17 World Cup in Mexico and watching from the sidelines was England Under 21 international and Premier League new boy Scott Sinclair who was in attendance to watch his brother, Jake.

Football obviously runs in the genes as the oldest brother, Martin, plays for Great Britain's Paralympics team as well and both were there to see Jake causing havoc with his quick moment and electric pace.

The youngest brother was involved in Southampton's best chance of the match. He started a good move and almost put his side in to the lead but was foiled by Ryan Gosney diving bravely at his feet before Lindsey headed in to put City one up.

Substitute Asajile went close to doubling the lead in the second period with an opportunist effort. The tricky midfielder crept in unnoticed at the back post, but being at full stretch, he only just managed to get a foot to the ball and saw his effort bounce off the woodwork in to safety.

Captain Leigh Mills missed a good opportunity too. He out-jumped his marker but couldn't direct his header goalwards after a brilliant centre by the impressive Phillips.

It was then Phillips' turn to have his chance to add to his previous strike against Abingdon United. The striker displayed all attributes with an extraordinary piece of skill that any Premier League player would have been proud of.

With his back to goal, he chested a Mills free-kick down on the 18 yard line and juggled the ball before brilliantly turning his marker with a flick but his shot ended up in the bushes. After making the opening himself, he lacked composure at the vital moment to put his side in a two goal advantage.

The visitors rarely threatened City's goal in the second half but impressive defensive performances from Jack Stephens, Fraser Colmer and Luke Shaw frustrated the hosts.

The constantly busy Omar Roe caused City's defenses to keep guard to ensure the home side hung on to the lead.

The match involved 42 players, with only Mills and Conor McCarthy playing 90 minutes, as both sides made full use of their squads.

Butters was happy with his squad's display but now have the difficult choice of electing a starting eleven. He said, "These pre-season games are a good workout and soon I will have to start deciding what the best team is. It's giving me good headaches. They're all earning the right to play."

FC Bulford 6-3 Amesbury Town (Pre Season Friendly)

By MARK HILTON at Watergate Lane

An experimental Amesbury Town side were well beaten at Salisbury & District Sunday Champions FC Bulford. FC Bulford fielded a strong line up including Wessex ad Western league players Danny, Matt and Tom  Western, Allan McPhie, Craig Appleby and Joey Weeks.  Amesbury were missing several first teamers .
FC Bulford started down the slope and took the game to Amesbury from the start. Danny Western had an early chance saved by Amesbury U18 player of the year, Luke Philpotts and then Joey Weeks hit the bar. It took just 6 minutes for Bulford to take the lead when Danny Western fired in a free kick which Craig Wheeler could only head past his own keeper.  1-0
Amesbury had a chance when Daryl Charman headed wide but on 14 minutes Joey Weeks played in Danny Western who flicked the ball over Philpotts to make it 2-0.
Three minutes later Craig Wheeler and Danny Western fought for the ball and the linesman adjudged Wheeler to have fouled Western who buried the resulting penalty. 3-0
On 31 minutes Danny Western got clear of the defence and hit the ball wide and then Amesbury's Tom Plant had his shot saved by Matty Cross after a good build up.
Half time FC Bulford 3 Amesbury Town 0
The second half started with a double save by Philpotts from Duncan Smith's efforts. Amesbury then had a good spell when on 51 minutes Ryan Jones headed wide and good work by Chris Ward and Nathan Jones   set up Tom Plant whose shot went wide. On 57 minutes Amesbury were back in the game when there was good play down the left by Tom Plant. He crossed and TYLER BROCKWAY's header crept past keeper Cross.  3-1
Amesbury kept pressing to get back into the match with a Nathan Jones volley just clearing the bar and Shaun Auger's shot was pushed round by Cross. Then Cross saved a low shot from Nathan Jones but on 73 minutes Amesbury got another goal back when a long ball by Ryan Jones picked out his brother Nathan JONES who controlled well and fired home 3-2
Bulford immediately fired back when Joey Weeks played in Danny Western who evaded Ryan Jones challenge and made no mistake as he fired home 4-2
On 78 minuites, birthday boy Ollie Vines whipped a ball in to Chris Ward who was unmarked but he dragged his shot wide. Five minutes later Vines crossed to Nathan Jones and Cross did well to get down and push out his effort whilst Tom Plant follow up just cleared the bar.
Four minutes from time a Danny Western free kick was pushed over by Luke Philpotts but the resulting corner came to Craig Appleby who crossed to Lee Maggs who headed home. 5-2
Tyler Brockway then had a header saved by Cross before Lee Maggs slotted home his second from the left 6-2
Amesbury had the last word though when a minute into injury time Liam Fowler's cross found Nathan JONES who slotted home 6-3

Alton Town 3-3 Salisbury City (Pre Season Friendly)

By JOHN GORMAN at The Bass Sports Ground

On a first class playing surface and with the morning rain happily having given away to sunshine Alton produced a fine performance against their illustrious visitors, twice taking the lead and fully deserving to be on equal terms at the end of an entertaining ninety minutes.
Against a Salisbury side containing more than a sprinkling of first team players Alton struck as early as the fourth minute when goalkeeper Mick Neish could only parry a fierce free kick from Carl Saunders and Steve Brown forced the ball home in the resulting scramble. The home side had a further chance when Simba Miambo's through ball split the defence but Ross Cook's slight mis-control enabled a defender to regain his ground and the chance was gone. Salisbury, showing a pleasing tendency to retain possession, equalised after a quarter of an hour and then took the lead inside a further five minutes. Firstly the home defence failed to deal with a right wing cross from Stuart Anderson allowing Dan Fitchett to score from eight yards and the same player added a second at the far post after Claudio Herbert's fine run and low cross from the left. Visiting full back Tom Evans was wide from distance and an effort from Alton's Scott Anderson shaved the post before Salisbury's Darrell Clarke, very much the heart of the midfield caught Craig Atkinson off his line with a lob that rebounded back off the cross bar with the keeper recovering well and quickly to save from Herbert after the pacy ex-Andover youngster had fastened on to the rebound. The same player was denied again by a saving tackle by Miambo after the right side of the home defence had gone awol before the half finished with a Cook header that was only just too high.
The second half started with another fierce free Saunders free kick being parried by the visiting keeper but this time the loose ball did not fall in Alton's favour and they then looked in danger of going further behind when a rash challenge gave the visitors a penalty only seven minutes after the re-start. Surprisingly Clarke, who had looked so controlled in everything he did in the first half, chipped thespot kick at a nice height to Atkinson's right and the keeper guessed correctly and pushed the ball to safety. Anderson and Miambo combined well for the home side with the first named seeing his effort blocked by the keeper's legs and Miambo slotting the rebound just the wrong side of the post. Atkinson brilliantly denied Callum Hart at close range before witha quarter of an hour gone the scores were level as Saunders sent Miambo clear on the right and John Gray converted the cross at the far post. The home side were now enjoying the better of the game and after another ferocious Saunders free kick had rattled the cross bar a Salisbury defender was forced to clear the ball over his own bar to avert further danger. This however only gave his side a few seconds breathing space as the resulting corner was powerfully headed high into the roof of the net at the far post by Steve Brown and the home side were ahead again. But as before the lead lasted only a matter of minutes as a cross come shot from the left rebounded off the bar and Hart slotted home the loose ball. The same player was denied by Atkinson,the Alton keeper had a fine game throughout ,and there were no further scares at either end before the final whistle signified the end of an enjoyable afternoon - and the return of the rain!

Bridport Town 4-4 Bournemouth Poppies (Pre Season Friendly)

By MATT RICHBELL at St. Mary's Field

Newly-promoted Toolstation Western Premier Division side Bridport Town scored a last-minute wonder goal to a 4-4 draw in a thrilling Dorset-derby at St.Mary's Field. Despite the game being a pre-season friendly, it was a full-blooded aware from the outset with both sides keen to make their mark on the game early on. Both sides were denied by the goalkeepers inside the opening ten minutes. Bournemouth Poppies took the lead on 29 minutes when Martin Warren, on trial at the club, found Dave Ewen, a fellow trialist who spent last season at Hamworthy United, and Ewen coolly dispatched his volley into the bottom corner. Dave Ewen then missed several other headers before the interval. Shortly after half-time and it was 2-0 to Bournemouth when Danny Allen scored from close range. Town pulled a goal back just two minutes later when Sam Charles curled one in from the edge of the box. Fawzi Saadi restored the two goal cushion on 57 minutes when he smashed home at the keepers' near post. Back came the Bees again on 67 minutes when Charles scored his second of the game. Four minutes later and it was all square when the hosts scored from the penalty spot. Both sides pushed for a winning goal and Poppies thought they had won it with five minutes to play when Saadi scored his second of the game. But in the dying stages, a poor clearance from the Poppies' goalkeeper was launched back towards the goal by a Bridport forward and into the back of the net, full-time 4-4.

Hamworthy United 2-2 Gosport Borough (Pre Season Friendly) (15/07/11)
By ROGER NICHOLSON at The County Ground

The Hammers followed up their excellent 0-0 draw with Salisbury City on Tuesday night with another one against a strong Gosport Borough squad on Friday. This time the game ended 2-2 with Jack Satterley scoring in the first half for Hamworthy and John Byron equalising in the second half for United with a powerful header. Hamworthy also had a goal disallowed when the Gosport Keeper saved an Aaron Corby penalty. A United player knocked in the rebound, but according to the Referee he had encroached into the area as the kick was taken. The goal was therefore not allowed.

 

FRIDAY 15TH JULY

Blackfield & Langley 3-0 Havant & Waterlooville (Pre Season Friendly)

By MATT RICHBELL at The Gang Warily Stadium

An impressive display at the Gang Warily Stadium saw Blackfield and Langley comfortably beat Blue Square Bet South side, Havant & Waterlooville, 3-0.
Both sides created several chances in the early stages but it was the hosts that began to take control midway through the first half following missed chances for Warren Hunt, Beng Ngwa and Gavin Spurway. On the half-hour mark, Warren Hunt squandered a glorious opportunity. The former Moneyfields and VT frontman was denied from the Hawks' keeper in a one-on-one and Hunt then struck the rebound against the crossbar. Beng Ngwa then missed a couple of other opportunities before eventually putting Blackfield & Langley ahead two minutes from half-time from inside the box.
Midway through the second half, and following more dominance in possession by the hosts, Paul Preston slid the ball over the line following an initial effort that was just about kept out by the Havant & Waterlooville goalkeeper. The victory was sealed seven minutes later when a poor back pass by a Havant defender was not cleared by the goalie, who sliced his kick to allow Warren Hunt with the simple task of tapping the ball into the empty net. Hunt had a chance late in the game, but his effort struck the corner of the crossbar.

Hamworthy United 2-2 Gosport Borough (Pre Season Friendly)

By ROGER NICHOLSON at The County Ground

The Hammers followed up their excellent 0-0 draw with Salisbury City on Tuesday night with another one against a strong Gosport Borough squad on Friday. This time the game ended 2-2 with Jack Satterley scoring in the first half for Hamworthy and John Byron equalising in the second half for United with a powerful header. Hamworthy also had a goal disallowed when the Gosport Keeper saved an Aaron Corby penalty. A United player knocked in the rebound, but according to the Referee he had encroached into the area as the kick was taken. The goal was therefore not allowed.

TUESDAY 12TH JULY

Devizes Town 2-1 Amesbury Town (Pre Season Friendly)

By MARK HILTON at Nursteed Road

Amesbury lost their first friendly at Devizes Town on Tuesday night by 2-1 in what was an entertaining encounter.

Devizes took a 2-0 lead at half time, the first from Tom Dingle after 18 minutes and then Lee Enderby entended the lead on half time. Amesbury made five half
time changes and created several chances. They were rewarded when Shaun Auger scored on 76 minutes. Danny Harrison also saved a Lee Enderby penalty late on.

Devizes had the best of the first half and were stronger and quicker and forced several good saves from Danny Harrison. They scored on 18 minutes when Tom Dingle lobbed an advanced Harrison from the edge of the box.  Amesbury's best spell in the first half came around the half hour mark when Danny Finnigan forced a smart save from the Devizes keeper and the resulting corner just evaded the head of Daryl Charman. Shortly after, a Craig Wheeler cross was headed wide by Danny Finnigan. It was Devizes who increased their lead when Luke Enderby fired home an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box into the top corner giving Harrison no chance.
Amesbury made five changes at half time, introducing new players , former Salisbury City striker, Darren Crook, Shaun Auger and Liam Fowler.  The second half was much more end to end and Amesbury put together some good moves. Nathan Jones, Darren Crook and Shaun Auger all linked up well on the hour mark only good defending prevented Auger from firing home. Ten minutes later Auger set up Crook whose shot agonising smacked against the cross bar and shortly after Danny Finnigan did well down the right but his cross evaded everyone in the box. Liam Fowler picked up the loose ball at the far post to set up Auger but his shot was pushed onto the post by the home keeper.
The reward for the Blues came on 76 minutes when Shaun Auger controlled the ball on the edge of the box and rifled home despite a good attempt by the Devizes keeper to save.

Any chance Amesbury had of getting an equalised looked to have gone when Tom Wheeler tripped a Devizes striker in the box but Lee Enderby's penalty was saved by the agile Danny Harrison diving away to his left.

Amesbury's Daryl Charman got through with 6 minutes remaining only to see his good shot blocked by the keepers legs but the final score remained Devizes Town 2 Amesbury Town

 

Winchester City 1-0 Abingdon United (Pre Season Friendly)

By STEVEN WOODGATE at the Denplan City Ground

Winchester City continued their impressive pre-season form with a totally dominant display against Zamaretto League outfit Abingdon United. A sole strike by Daryl Phillips decided the contest in the second half after great work by Jordan Parke. Leigh Mills, Graham Lindsey and Charlie Smeeton were all guilty of missing good chances to put the visitors out of sight. The away side never got going and rarely threatened the Winchester goal. Winchester City started the game with a packed dugout as manager Guy Butters was looking to give all of his squad a run out. And the starting eleven he chose could have been two-nil up within the first three minutes. Alex Easton forced the visiting goalkeeper into an early save as fellow striker Lindsey somehow missed from six yards with the goal at his mercy. Mills, reverting to his familiar centre midfield role, was dominating proceedings and could have put the Citizens ahead but his header flew narrowly over. New signing Smeeton also went close, although he skillfully beat two defenders, his shoot went narrowly wide just before half time. Butters decided to make a host of changes and it was a combination of three replacements to finally find a breakthrough. Sol Asajile was causing mayhem down the left flank who found Jordan Parke just inside the area. He resisted pressure from two defenders to get a shot away, and the timely Phillips was on hand to smack in the rebound from eight yards. City still created chances as Mills had another header that flew agonizingly wide and Asajile failed to convert a one-on-one late on.
This was a good scalp for Winchester City and they will be looking to add another win when a Southampton XI visits on Saturday.

Guy Butters Winchester FC Manager

"We're looking good and tonight was another great run out. At this time of the season you tend to worry about fitness but the boys looked after themselves in the summer and in all fairness, they're all fit. And because of that, we can concentrate on ball-work instead of running drills.

"All of them have a great attitude, and competition's hotting up for places as no one is guaranteed a start.

"It was difficult to select a starting eleven with some many good players at my disposal but it is giving me welcomed headaches."

 

SATURDAY 9TH JULY

Winchester City Youth 10-1 Cardiff City Youth (Pre Season Friendly)
By STEVEN WOODGATE at the Denplan City Ground

A spectacular performance by Winchester City's youngsters saw them run riot against Welsh giants Cardiff City.
Playing at the Denplan Stadium, under observation from first team manager Guy Butters and players, the youngsters put on a dazzling display with star man Jack O'Gray picking up a hat-trick.
Floyd Bedwell and Josh Addo scored two each to put the Citizens in total command.
Captain Callum Buckley, Tom Oakley and Joel Field strikes put City into double figure before the Bluebirds hit back late on.
The game began under heavy fall but that didn't damper the youngsters' display and spirit.
Winchester were the better side in the early stages with Buckley, influential in everything his side did, forcing the visitors' goalkeeper into an early save. Oblivious to him it would be the only he would be making.
Buckley was the man again to cause great distress in Cardiff's defence and he danced forward at will and unleashed a vicious effort from 20 yards into the bottom corner for the opener. 
Moments later, it was two. Tom Coughlan halted Cardiff's advances to beat a man and delivered a pinpoint through ball for O'Gray to finish superbly with the outside of his foot.
Bedwell then got into the act with a brilliant counter-attacking goal. A long ball found Oakes, who held up well and released Coughlan. The striker then pulled it back for Bedwell to control then curl an unstoppable effort into the far corner.
O'Gray and Coughlan combined again to make it four. A deep cross by Jack Pine was put back into the area by O'Gray for Coughlan to convert from close range.
O'Gray was able to score his second because of the quick thinking Buckley. The midfielder lobbed an early free kick over the opposition's defence for the striker to finish with a neat volley.
Cardiff was up against it and matters didn't help when a huge kick by Christian Dewey was not dealt with and it ended with Field slotting past the on-rushing ‘keeper. 
The second half didn't get any better for the Bluebirds with Addo getting into the act. The striker twisted and turned a host of defenders before finding the back of the net.
He scored his second a few moments later by turning his marker and unleashing an unstoppable effort to back it eight.
O'Gray then completed his hat trick with a mature finish before Bedwell wrapped things up with a 20-yard strike to put Winchester into double figure; Cardiff salvaged a late consolation.

Sam Scott, Winchester City Youth Manager
"This was a fantastic and special moment for the lads. Cardiff City are obviously a huge team and we proved that we are a very good set up with some very talented players.
"A performance like this would put them in good stead for the upcoming season and the lads have an encouraging spirit among them and they are all desperate to improve. 
"We're still looking for more players to the set up to all age groups, and by today's showing, we are doing pretty well at developing players against some of the best academies around."
Contact Sam Scott on 07825 268 827.

 

TUESDAY 5TH JULY

Winchester City 1-1 Eastleigh (Pre-Season Friendly)
By MATT RICHBELL at the Denplan City Ground

Winchester City raised the curtain on their pre-season with a new-look side at home against Blue Square South side, Eastleigh. The Spitfires fielded several ex-City players including, Andy Forbes, Jamie Brown and Danny Smith. City included new signings Graham Lindsey, Daryll Phillips and James Embree amongst the starting eleven. Almost half an hour into the game and Winchester City exploded into life with Graham Lindsey missing a good opportunity. Eight minutes before half-time and the Spitfires took the lead. Eastleigh had a goalbound header cleared off the line following a set piece and the ball was crossed back into the box for Jamie Slabber to volley home smartly from close range.
After the restart, Eastleigh maintained the pressure they applied at the end of the first half with Jamie Slabber having a double effort saved by substitute goalkeeper, Rory Anderson. Slabber then squandered another opportunity a few minutes later before Winchester City began to edge into the game. Substitute Alex Easton won City a corner on 67 minutes and Kabir's corner was dropped by the Eastleigh keeper, Mann, and the ball rolled over the line. City attempted to build on this fortuitous equaliser and forced several corners before the best opportunity for a winner came four minutes from time when Easton found himself in a one-on-one but he was denied by the on-rushing goalkeeper.

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