7-UP FOR PITMAN
Brett Pitman struck seven times as Shaftesbury handed out an 8-2 thumping of Christchurch in the Premier Division at Cockrams, in the final match day of 2023.
It moves Pitman on to 38 League goals for the season, more than double the next best - AFC Stoneham's Duarte Martins (17). The Rockies end 2023 top of the pile with a seven point advantage over AFC Stoneham, albeit with four games in hand on the leaders.
A rain-affected afternoon saw six Premier Division fixtures go ahead - with the day's best gate of 506 at the OnSite Group Stadium, who witnessed AFC Portchester's 2-2 draw with Brockenhurst.
Moneyfields also kept apace at the top end with a 5-0 victory over US Portsmouth, while there were away triumphs for Hythe & Dibden, Cowes Sports and Portland United.
Division One also saw the visitors come away with maximum points from four of the five games played - amongst them, Alresford Town with a big 1-6 success at Frimley Green and are just a point off the top, while November's 'Club of the Month', Clanfield continued their impressive recent form, hitting five without reply at Verwood Town.
Meanwhile, Downton took advantage of Hamworthy Recreation's inactivity to leapfrog them at the top following the Robins' 2-2 draw at East Cowes Victoria.
See our Newsletter to catch-up with all the latest news, reports, tables and a look ahead to what's coming up in January.
Wishing you a Happy New Year!
Photo: Ken Walker
