EASTER WEEKEND - REVIEW
We start on Bank Holiday Friday where a Division One season's best crowd of 416 witnessed a one-all draw between Newport and East Cowes Vics at Smallbrook. The result for the Vics mean they cannot finish in the bottom three.
Meanwhile there was Friday Night football at Magna Road, as Hamworthy Recreation welcomed Verwood Town - the hosts collecting another three points in their 3-1 victory in front of a gate of 155.
Easter Saturday attracted a fine gate of 1,458 to the AFC Portchester versus Horndean contest (main photo and below) which saw the visitors win and close the gap at the top to eight points and with four games in hand, and continue to pose a real threat to the destination of the Premier Division trophy.
Similarly AFC Stoneham also won - 4-1 against Hamble at Stoneham Lane - all four goals coming from Liam Callaghan.
Bemerton Heath Harlequins also found their shooting boots with a 4-0 win over city neighbours Laverstock & Ford. The results mean a very interesting end to the season is in the pipeline.
The other two Portsmouth postcode contests ended honours even two goals shared at Moneyfields where Fareham were the opposition and four at United Services where Baffins were the visitors.
At the foot of the table Cowes hit three without replay at fellow strugglers Pagham, in a game delayed due to the Yachtsmen encountering ferry delays. Blackfield & Langley went down by the odd goal of three to near neighbours Hythe & Dibden and Basement side Alresford went down 3-1 at Victoria Park to Bournemouth.
Portland welcomed over 350 to the Camp & Satherley Stadium and most went home happy after hitting two without reply against Shaftesbury.
Accolades in Division One go to the two Andover sides. New Street came back from 4-0 down at Foxcotte to claim the points with a 5-4 win - Ross Cook with a quartet for the hosts. The gate of 332 was the best number on the day in this Division.
Wins also for the only other promotion challengers at Amesbury and Whitchurch where Downton and Petersfield were the victors respectively. Ollie Davies hit three of the six for the Robins.
Ringwood won at Romsey and eased but not removed the threat of relegation at Long Lane. Fawley hit one without reply in a contest at Fleetlands - no doubt both teams suffering after a gruelling week of games.
Article Photos: Nathan Lipsham
