HAMMERS ONE WIN FROM WEMBLEY
Despite the interesting position at the top of both Divisions, we have to start this week with the FA Vase where Hamworthy United (pictured) are bidding for a Wembley appearance.
The semi finals are now reduced to one leg and Hamworthy have to travel to Buckinghamshire to face Newport Pagnell from the United Counties League. Their opponents are currently fifth in the Premier Division South but have no chance of promotion because of a sizeable points gap between the top two and the remainder of the League. Their recent results have been poor but there are suggestions that they have been resting players leading up to the semi-final. All will be decided on Saturday.
On to the Wessex Premier Division, where with Hamworthy not in League action, attention switches to the teams vying to catch them at the top of the table with the two closest contenders, Shaftesbury and Bashley, meeting at the first named Coppice Street ground.
Just one point separates the two Clubs and the game really is too close to call. Horndean entertain Cowes Sports with memories no doubt of their nine nil win over the Island side earlier in the season while both AFC Stoneham and Brockenhurst, both in contention for a top five place, are on the road.
Stoneham travel to Hythe and Dibden and will be favourites to take the three points while Brockenhurst will be looking to complete the double over US Portsmouth at Burnaby Road.
AFC Portchester have been among the goals of late and could add to their tally when Bournemouth come visiting whilst another Club currently in good form, Moneyfields, should be too strong for Amesbury at Bonymead Park.
Hamble Club and Alton are hard to separate but Portland may well improve their position with the visit of Fareham Town who have fallen away badly results wise of late.
In Division One the Title will go to Bemerton Heath if they win their final two matches but along with second place Follands they have to sit out this week and watch how those chasing them fare. Andover New Street, back amongst the goals in midweek, play their final home match with Ringwood Town the visitors while Newport are also at home with Ash United travelling to the Island. Two hone wins could well be on the cards.
Andover Town dropped two points at home in midweek and will not have an easy afternoon at New Milton while Laverstock and Ford, outsiders for a play off place, will be looking for three points when they journey to Whitchurch.
Fawley have achieved some good results of late and it should be a good contest when Romsey visit the Waterside and the Verwood Town versus Petersfield clash could go either way or end all square ( a classic case of hedging one’s bet there).
East Cowes Vics have put in some good performances in the last week and may well take the points against Millbrook at Beatrice Avenue. The visitors have conceded goals at an alarming rate in recent matches and have fallen away badly after a good first half to the season.
That just leaves the bottom of the table clash between Totton and Eling and Fleet Spurs. The home side are probably too far behind now to avoid relegation but can play for pride and seek to add three points to their tally, though the visitors will probably be looking at the game largely in the same light.
But given all the above the attention will still be on Hamworthy and they will have the best wishes all connected with the Wessex League, Officials, Clubs and Players alike behind them on Saturday.
Article Photo: Ian Middlebrook
