FIXTURES - FEBRUARY 5th

Roger Allen • February 4, 2022

Premier Division

AFC Portchester  9-0  Christchurch

Alresford Town  0-1  Shaftesbury (Match report)

Baffins Milton Rovers  3-1  Amesbury Town

Bashley  3-1  Alton

Blackfield & Langley  2-1  Horndean

Bournemouth  2-4  Brockenhurst

Fareham Town  0-5  AFC Stoneham

Hamworthy United  8-1  Hamble Club

Moneyfields  1-3  Hythe & Dibden

Portland United  3-3  Cowes Sports

Division One

Bemerton Heath Harlequins  3-0  Petersfield Town (Match report)

Downton  3-0  Whitchurch United

East Cowes Vics  1-3  Romsey Town

Fleet Spurs  1-4  New Milton Town (Match report)

Folland Sports  2-1  Andover Town

Infinity  P-P  Laverstock & Ford

Millbrook  1-7  Andover New Street (Match report)

Newport IoW  3-0  Ringwood Town

Totton & Eling  0-2  Ash United

Verwood Town  4-2  Fawley AFC


Plenty of goals yesterday, especially in the Premier Division, and also a change at the top of the Premier Division table. Leaders Horndean went down 2-1 to Blackfield & Langley on the Waterside thanks to goals from Owen Fee and Luke Gray outweighing a single effort from Ash Howes, leaving Hamworthy United with the chance to take over the number one spot. The Hammers surprisingly dropped two points in midweek but there were no problems this time round as two goals apiece from Matt Neale and Bailey Rowe added to singles from Eddie Hodge, Max Wilcock, Cameron Munn and Steve Devlin gave them an 8-1 victory over Hamble Club for whom Ryan Wilkins notched the solitary consolation.


Brockenhurst kept in touch with a 4-2 success at Bournemouth, a double from Mitch Speechley-Price adding to goals from Kieran O’Donnell and Christie Ward while Kyle Graham and Sami Garcia were on target for the Poppies. After a poor run of results Baffins Milton Rovers returned to winning ways, beating bottom Club Amesbury Town 3-1. Ed Sanders, Alex Przespolewski and Tommy Scutt secured the three points with Josh Moore the Wiltshire side’s goal scorer. Bashley, very much one of the form sides at present, marched on with Bue Bennett, Adam Grange and Lewis Ross giving them a 3-1 win over Alton for whom Oli Graham was on the scoresheet.


Fareham’s propensity for both scoring and conceding goals surfaced again as they went down 5-0 to a rampant AFC Stoneham at Cams Alders. Duarte Martins with two, Scott Hills, Will Wiseman and Jim Orvis completing the nap hand with the home side’s only consolation being the best attendance of the day - 240. AFC Portchester were the day’s highest scorers, hitting nine without reply against Christchurch with the attendance, as at Fareham, over the 200 mark. Regular scorers Rafa Ramos and Lee Wort led the way with four and three respectively and Brad Lethbridge and Harvey Aston were also on the mark.


Shaftesbury made the long journey to Alresford and returned home with all three points thanks to a Gary Bowles goal and Portland United and Cowes Sports shared six goals with both sides probably happy with a point. Troy Walbridge, Ben Morris and Oli Lowes were the home marksmen with the Cowes response coming from Jack Barsdell, Ji Nash and an own goal. With all respect to those already mentioned possibly the result of the day in the Division was Hythe & Dibden’s 3-1 win at Moneyfields. Filippos Terzidis, Sam Woodward and Ben Slade were the happy goalscorers with Tyler Moret the Moneys marksman.


Bemerton Heath continue to lead Division One after second half goals from Cameron Roach, Danny Young and Jake Burgess gave them a 3-0 win over Petersfield at Moon Park and Newport regained second spot with a similar score line against Ringwood Town - Jordan Browne, Joe Craig and Joe Butcher on target. The clash between Folland Sports and Andover Town ended with a best of three goals win for the home side with goals from new signing Jamie White and Fabio Manuel, one of which was in the last minute, after Brendan Holmes had given the away side the lead.


Andover New Street were the highest scorers and also possessed the day’s top individual scorer as they won 7-1 at Millbrook. Mark Barker gave the home side the lead but Reece Rusher with five, Chris Flood and Joe Rogers made it a comfortable afternoon for the visitors at a windy Test Park. Both Romsey and Downton came back from midweek defeats with victories. Romsey crossed to the Island and defeated East Cowes Vics 3-1 with two goals from Ollie Jenkins and one from Owen Holloway proving too much for the lone Vics strike from Keiron Hancock. Downton completed the double over Whitchurch in the second meeting between the two clubs in ten days, scoring three without reply through Shaun Prentice two and Sam Howe.


Verwood gained a welcome three points with a 4-2 defeat of Fawley at Potterne Park with Ollie Davies two, Matt Vining and Jack Broad their scorers. Dylan Knight claimed both the Oilers goals. Finally, no joy for either of the bottom two clubs as they both lost at home. Fleet Spurs found New Milton too strong as Charlie Turner (2), Chris Long and Noel McCarthy-Gardiner gave the visitors a 4-1 win - Tom White claiming the lone Spurs goal. They remain above Totton & Eling on goal difference with the Millers losing to goals for Ash United from Luke Cains and Zak Aubrey Simpson while failing to trouble the scorers themselves.


So Hamworthy United and Bemerton Heath lead the way after the first Saturday in February with the final straight just over the horizon. 

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.
More Posts