FIXTURES - JANUARY 18th/19th

Roger Allen • January 18, 2022

Tuesday January 18th

Dorset Senior Cup Semi Final

Hamworthy United  2-1  Wimborne Town

Hampshire Senior Cup Quarter Final

AFC Portchester  1-0  Hartley Wintney

Russell Cotes Cup Quarter Final

Folland Sports  1-1  Hamble Club (5-3 on penalties)

Premier Division

Christchurch  2-3  Alton

Moneyfields  2-2  Horndean

Shaftesbury  A-A  Brockenhurst (fog)

U.S. Portsmouth  1-1  Alresford Town

Division One

Andover New Street  3-3  Laverstock & Ford

Romsey Town  5-0  Verwood Town

Portsmouth Senior Cup Quarter Final

Fareham Town  0-0  Locks Heath (2-3 on penalties)

Southampton Senior Cup 2nd Round

Hythe & Dibden  13-0  Hamble United


Wednesday January 19th

Premier Division

Blackfield & Langley  1-3  Bashley

Division One

Totton & Eling  0-4  Millbrook

Southampton Senior Cup 2nd Round

Fawley AFC  12-0  Southbrook


Six Wessex League matches and fixtures in five different Cup Competitions on Tuesday and only one casualty due to the weather.


In the Premier Division the big game was at Moneyfields where League leaders Horndean were held to a draw in a dramatic finish. Goals from the usual pairing of Connor Duffin and Zac Willett saw the Deans two goals ahead as the match moved into second half stoppage time, only for goals from Steve Hutchings, a penalty, and James Franklyn in the 92nd and 94th minutes earn the home side a share of the points. The attendance was a creditable two hundred and twenty seven on a chilly evening.


Christchurch’s recent run of favourable results was halted at Hurn Bridge where visitors Alton came out on top by the odd goal in five. Oli Graham, Matt Graham and Liam Knight for Alton and a double from Eder Barista for the Hurn Bridge side. Goals from Sam Quirke and Sutcha Shepherd ensured a one all draw between US Portsmouth and Alresford but the game between Shaftesbury and Brockenhurst was abandoned before the break  through thick fog, Hopefully all had a safe journey home.


Two games in Division One and a three all draw between Andover New Street and Laverstock and Ford with the visitors coming from behind three times including in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Ross Cook with two and Reece Rusher for the Street and Russell Jones two and Chas Sykes for the visitors. In the two League meetings between the Clubs this season Laverstock have scored six goals of which Jones scored five. At the Bypass ground a first half hat trick from Ollie Jenkins together with subsequent strikes from Charlie Rattley and Jack Odam gave Romsey a comfortable five nil victory over Verwood Town.


Onto the Cup fixtures and Hamworthy United completed a very successful four days by following up their FA Vase win on Saturday with victory by two goals to one over Southern League Wimborne in the Semi Final of the Dorset Senior Cup. An attendance in excess of two hundred and fifty saw Lee Francis and Jack Lovell score their goals in a two one victory and they will now meet Poole Town in the final. AFC Portchester are also enjoying cup football this season. Already in the last four of the Wessex League Cup they moved in to the same stage of the Hampshire Senior Cup with a one nil win over the higher ranked Hartley Wintney - Lee Wort claiming the all-important goal.


The Russell Cotes tie between neat neighbours Folland Sports and Hamble Club ended in a one all draw with Ellis Genge on the mark for the home side and Clayd Roach netting a penalty for the visitors against his old Club, but it was Follands who triumphed in the penalty shoot out to move in to the last four of the Competition. A surprise at Cams Alders where free scoring Fareham were held to a goalless draw in the Portsmouth Senior Cup by Hampshire Premier side Locks Heath who then came out on top in the penalty decider.


The Southampton Senior Cup embraces clubs from sometimes vastly differing levels and throws up the occasional mismatch as was the case, with respect to all, at Hythe and Dibden where the Wessex League side defeated Southampton Senior League One sclub Hamble United by thirteen goals to nil. The match was a personal triumph for Sam Woodward who scored six with two from Cain Prentice and singles from Luca Prentice, Fillipos Terzidis, Kyle Joryeff, Sam Boon and the evergreen Jo Tessem making up the bakers dozen.


Just three games on Wednesday and sadly another total mis-match but first things first. In the Premier Division , with all the goals in the second half, Bashley won three  with one at Blackfield and Langley with Harry Bunce, Adam Grange and Bue Bennerr on target and Harvey Joe Bertrand claiming the hone side’s consolation in stoppage time. In Division One Totton and Eling’s bad run continued as a hat trick from Sean Haines added to a singe strike from Callum Drake gave Millbrook a four nil win at Millers Park.


Lastly another Wessex League versus Southampton Senior League clash in the Southampton Senior Cup with Fawley scoring twelve without reply against Southbrook, There were hat tricks for Jacob Sheath and Malin Bowman, doubles for Dylan Knight and Tom Munday and singles from Tom Rafferty and James Elkins but is there really any benefit for anybody from these sort of score lines.

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.
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