FIXTURES FEBRUARY 1st/3rd

Roger Allen • February 1, 2022

Tuesday February 1st

Surrey Saturday Premier Cup

Ash United 0-6 Metropolitan Police Res

Premier Division

Alresford Town 2-6 AFC Portchester

Amesbury Town 1-1 Hamworthy United

Brockenhurst 4-2 Portland United (Match report)

Cowes Sports 2-0 Baffins Milton Rovers

Fareham Town 0-2 Horndean

Hamble Club 2-2 AFC Stoneham

Hythe & Dibden 0-3 Bashley

U.S. Portsmouth 3-3 Moneyfields

Division One

Andover Town 5-0 Downton

Fleet Spurs 1-2 Laverstock & Ford (Match report)

Romsey Town 0-2 Folland Sports

Wednesday February 2nd

Premier Division

Blackfield & Langley 1-1 Alton

Division One

Fawley AFC 0-1 Bemerton Heath Harlequins

Thursday February 3rd

Southampton Senior Cup 2nd Round

Brockenhurst 5-1 Ringwood Town

This midweek’s football was almost entirely devoted to League matches with eight Premier Division games on Tuesday. Pick of the fixtures was at Cams Alders where the meeting between the two highest scoring teams in the Division, the visit of League leaders Horndean, and Fareham’s ability to attract large crowds meant that 374 people saw the visitors strengthen their position with a two goal victory, both scored by Connor Duffin thus taking his tally for goals in the League thus far this season to thirty one.

Amesbury and Hamworthy United met for the second time in four days but Hamworthy could not repeat their victory in the first match as Amesbury secured a very creditable point in a one all home draw with Alex Noone scoring for the Wiltshire side and Connor Cocklin for the title challengers. Brockenhurst entertained Portland at the Meadens Skoda Arena and the visitors scored the first and last goals of the evening through Joel Hewitt and Josh Williams but goals between those two from Keiran O’Donnell two, Silvano Obeng and Lyle Simpson gave the home side the points. Baffins Milton Rovers poor run continued as they went down two nil at Cowes - a welcome win for the Yachtsmen - with goals from Fin Phillips and John McKie, their third consecutive defeat and only two points from their last five games.

Bashley continued to state their claim for a place in the season end honours with a three nil win at Hythe and Dibden courtesy of goals from Lewis Ross, Harry Bunce and Adam Gtange, leaving the home side still somewhat adrift at the bottom of the table. AFC Portchester were the highest scorers of the evening with a six two victory at Alresford. Doubles for Lee Wort and George Barker backed up by Rafa Ramos and Connor Bailey with Harry Barkaway and Mike Gosney – a long time since that last name was mentioned in these pages – on target for the hosts.

AFC Stoneham made the short trip to Hamble Club and shared four goals and the points with Jamie Ovington claiming both the home goals and Callum Laycock and Matt Bainbridge the visiting marksmen. In one of the many local derbies in Portsmouth this season US Portsmouth and Moneyfields drew three apiece at the Victory Stadium with six different goal scorers, Tom Dinsmore, Dan Sibley and Cameron Quirke for the home side and Tyler Moret,Dec SeIden and James Franklyn for the visitors.

Andover Town moved to the top of Division One with a five nil defeat of Downton at the Portway. Ryan Griffiths opened the scoring after just thirty nine seconds and went on to complete a hat trick with David Jerrard and Geotge Higgins also on the scoresheet. Fellow title contenders Follands maintained their position with a two goal win at Romsey, never an easy place to get all three points, thanks to strikes from Will Genge and Nathan Grey and Laverstock and Ford climbed into the top five with a best of three goals success at Fleet Spurs. All the goals came in the first half with Kai Francis claiming the home goal and Archie Lovegrove and Russ Jones netting for Laverstock.

Just one Cup fixture on the evening in the Surrey Premier Cup, a Competition that has never previously graced any report, with Ash United going down six nil at home to Metropolitan Police Reserves who are members of the Suburban League.

Mention has already been made of the attendance at Fareham and a further five Premier Division fixtures topped the three figure mark whilst the Andover Town/Downton game attracted close to two hundred. More proof that the Wessex League is thriving.

Just two matches on Wednesday, one in each Division. In the Premier Division, after a goalless first half, Karol Skoczen gave visitors Alton the lead at Gang Warily only for them to concede an own goal and give Blackfield and Langley a share of the points. Just one goal a mile or so up the Waterside at Fawley scored by Justin Bennett from the penalty spot and that was enough to give visitors Bemerton Heath the three points which returned them to the top of the table.

Finally a rare Thursday fixture to complete the midweek with Brockenhurst, despite having played on Tuesday and with another game to follow on Saturday, fielded a strong line up in beating Ringwood Town five one in the Second Round of the Southampton Senior Cup, Silvano Obeng scored two, there were penalties from Mitchell Speechley Price and Joe Chamberlain and an own goal with Charlie Hitchings getting the Ringwood consolation.

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AUGUST - CLUBS OF THE MONTH

September 15, 2025

Laverstock & Ford are our Premier Division 'Club of the Month' for August, following their exploits in the FA Cup, with progression into the second round qualifying. Liam McConnell's side also enjoyed progression in the FA Vase with victory at US Portsmouth, and commenced their League campaign with a 5-0 success over Baffins Milton Rovers.

LAVVY RELISH FA CUP DERBY DRAW

September 1, 2025

Laverstock & Ford fly the Velocity Wessex League flag in the Emirates FA Cup, with the Bulldog's 2-1 win at Hythe & Dibden earning a local derby against Salisbury in the second round qualifying. Liam McConnell's side came from behind to advance - and equal the club's best ever season in the Cup - courtesy of strikes from Archie Lovegrove and Chae Sykes which cancelled out Ollie Davies free-kick for the hosts. LISTEN - HEAR LIAM MCCONNELL'S FA CUP REACTION ON THE WESSEX LEAGUE PODCAST

HYTHE FACE BULLDOGS IN FA CUP

August 18, 2025

Hythe & Dibden will host Laverstock & Ford in an intriguing all-Wessex League tie, after the Premier Division rivals were drawn together in the FA Cup first round qualifying. It's a third home outing on the spin for Hythe, who have already dispatched fellow Wessex League sides Portland United and New Milton Town on their own patch to reach this stage for only the second time. Meanwhile the Bulldogs needed a replay and penalties to edge past Cowes Sports in the extra preliminary stage, before an impressive 2-0 victory on the road at former Wessex League champions, Horndean - now plying their trade in the Isthmian South Central. Laverstock have reached the first round qualifying in three of the last four seasons - and will be looking to emulate 2022/23 when they went one better, bowing out at the second round qualifying stage by a single goal at Taunton Town. AFC Stoneham are our third representative in the draw - they travel to Southern League Premier South side, Hungerford Town, following home victories over Fleet Town and Paulton Rovers (main picture). The Purps have also previously reached a club-best of the second round qualifying in each of the last two campaigns, with identical 1-7 defeats at higher-ranked Yeovil Town and Salisbury, respectively. Winners of the ties on August 30 will receive £2,250, with the losers netting £750. FA CUP - FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING - DRAW IN FULL Article Photo: Robin Caddy

'ONLY THE CAPTAIN' PROTOCOL

August 12, 2025

As part of the recent changes to the Laws of the Game (2025/26) approved by IFAB in March, the “Only the Captain” protocol will be applied across all competitions in England starting from the new season. Purpose and Rationale The protocol is designed to strengthen respect between players and referees by formalising that only the team captain may approach the referee to discuss key decisions. The aim is to reduce incidents of mobbing, dissent, and intimidation of match officials — improving the environment for everyone involved in the game. Key Points Normal, respectful interactions with referees are still permitted; however, dissent (by word or action) remains a yellow card offence — even for captains. Only the captain from each team is allowed to approach the referee on major decisions. Captains are responsible for ensuring teammates stay away from the referee during these moments. Referees may delay the restart to allow captains to communicate messages back to their teams if necessary. Additional Details If the goalkeeper is the team captain, an outfield player must be nominated to fulfil this role for referee interactions. A “captain-only zone” of 4 metres will be established around the referee; no other players are permitted within this area. Any non-captain entering this zone should be cautioned for dissent by action. If multiple players enter, at least one must be cautioned, and the incident will be reported to the relevant authorities. Competition organisers are encouraged to introduce sanctions for repeated breaches across the season. National Implementation This protocol will be implemented consistently across: All professional competitions The National League Pyramids County FA-administered football Our approach is to create alignment and consistency from the top tiers to grassroots , improving behaviour towards match officials at every level. Education and Communication We are currently rolling out education for referees, County FAs, Referee Development Officers, and other stakeholders to ensure clear understanding and consistent application. Clarification for Youth, Veterans, Disability, and Grassroots Levels Although IFAB have included an arm signal to initiate the protocol at these levels, in England we will not adopt this . Referees will manage the protocol themselves, using their existing match management skills. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the details further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch through refereedevelopment@thefa.com Article Photo: Ian Grainger

FA CUP ROUND-UP

August 4, 2025

The Emirates FA Cup made a welcome return to Velocity Wessex League club schedules on Saturday, however it proved to be a challenging afternoon for many, with four of our sides guaranteeing themselves a Preliminary Round place on August 16. Last season's Premier Division runners-up, AFC Stoneham, were looking to emulate last season's run to the Second Round Qualifying - with the Purps once again overcoming Fleet Town, 2-0 and booked another home date with Paulton Rovers next. FA CUP - FIXTURES & RESULTS (Wessex League only) Christchurch overcame returning Wessex side, Bemerton Heath Harlequins 3-0 at Hurn Bridge and will have home comforts once more in the Preliminary Round against Tadley Calleva, while in other all-Wessex affairs, New Milton Town came away from Andover New Street with a solitary goal to nil victory to set-up a meeting with Hythe & Dibden - themselves beating Portland United 3-1.

SUPPORT OUR CHARITY CUP

July 14, 2025

The Velocity Wessex League Charity Cup sees Premier Division winners, AFC Portchester, take on fellow cup finalists, Hamble Club at the OnSite Group Stadium on July 26 (3pm). CHARITY CUP - PROGRAMME DOWNLOAD This year proceeds from the curtain raising fixture will go to our charity partner, YoungMinds, who champion mental health and wellbeing amongst young people.