MIDWEEK REVIEW - APRIL 5/6
Predominately League matches with implications for both Divisions. Hamworthy United brushed aside their FA Vase disappointment with a 3-1 victory at Christchurch (pictured) and now need just one more win to clinch the title.
The Hammers goals came from Harvey Wright, Max Wilcock and a Steve Devlin penalty with Harry Cooper replying for the home side.
AFC Portchester continued their winning run with a 3-0 win at US Portsmouth – George Barker with two and an own goal proving decisive – while Cowes Sports’s troubles away from home continued with a seven nil defeat at Fareham Town. Archie Willcox led the way with a hat trick, Josh Benfield added two and there were singles from Stuart Morgan and Garry Moody. Fareham have now topped the one hundred mark for the season which is remarkable for a side in the lower half of the table – it is the goals against column which is the problem.
In Division One four of the six promotion contenders were in action with three of them winning to intensify the position at the top of the table. Andover New Street made the relatively short journey to Downton and came out on top in a highly entertaining game by the odd goal in three.
The scores were level at the break – Ollie Davies for the hosts and Reece Rusher for the visitors- before another Rusher strike gave Street the points. Laverstock & Ford continued their late run with a 4-2 home victory over Ringwood Town with four different names - Chae Sykes, Archie Lovegrove, Russell Jones and Lewis Wakeford - on the scoresheet and Ryan Hamm and Sam Brown netting for the visitors.
On the Island Newport defeated Andover Town 3-0 with all the goals coming in the first half from Connor Kelly, Neo Lamb and Joe Craig. A second defeat in three days for the visitors and a big dent in their promotion hopes. In the one game that did not affect the top of the table Ash United and Millbrook finished all square at one apiece with the goals coming from Luke Cairns and Martyn Randall, the latter giving Millbrook the lead at one stage.
Two games in the Quarter Finals of the Southampton Senior Cup saw two Jamie White goals give Follands a 2-1 victory at Stoneham Reserves while Hamble Club found Southern League AFC Totton too strong, going down by four goals to nil.
In a third Quarter final in the same Competition on Wednesday Fawley beat Premier Division Alresford 2-1 in an all-Wessex tie. Dylan Knight and Will Berry scored the goals for the home side with a Kristian Andonov penalty Alresford’s reply and The Oilers will now face Folland Sports in the semi Final, at Hythe next week.
Article Photo: Les Allen
