RAMS PLAY-OFF DELIGHT

April 30, 2023

Petersfield Town have made a return to the Premier Division after coming through a nail-biting play-off penalty shoot out at New Milton Town on Saturday.


The Rams prevailed 4-2 in the tense conclusion to the League campaign, in front of 544 spectators at The DMW Stadium, after the sides were locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.


WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS HERE


Alex Barsa gave the visitors the lead (pictured, below) on 27 minutes, beating Ollie Bull at his near post; before Tyrrell Sampson levelled for New Milton with eight minutes to play, to the delight of the home support.

Both sides had come through penalty shoot-outs in their respective semi-finals in midweek - New Milton Town over Hamworthy Recreation, and Petersfield Town edging out second-placed, Newport IOW - incredibly, an opponent they have beaten five times in 2022/23.


Petersfield return to the Wessex top-flight for the first time in six years, while New Milton Town will look to go again in 2023/24, having last played Premier Division football in 2012/13.


WESSEX LEAGUE - LATEST NEWSLETTER


There is more action to come for Pat Suraci and Joe Lea's side on Saturday (May 6), in the Wessex League Cup Final, where they do battle with one of next season's opponents, Baffins Milton Rovers, at AFC Portchester (4pm k.o).


Advance tickets can be purchased for the game, via the link below:


WESSEX LEAGUE CUP FINAL - TICKETS


Photos: Robin Caddy

VASE GLORY FOR STONEHAM

May 17, 2026
AFC Stoneham capped a historic campaign by beating Cockfosters in the Isuzu FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium. The Velocity Wessex League Premier Division champions triumphed 4-2 on penalties, after a ninety minutes of deadlock to conclude a quite remarkable season for James Phillips' side that yielded a total of four trophies.

CONSTITUTION - 2026/27

May 14, 2026
The FA have released NLS club allocations for Steps 1-6 (subject to appeal) for the 2026/27 season. It sees a return to the Wessex League Premier Division for Bashley, Fareham Town and Horndean - all rejoining us following their respective Step 4 relegations. Fleetlands make the step-up as champions of Division One, while Sturminster Newton United also feature following a lateral move from the Western League. Last season's champions, AFC Stoneham (Isthmian South Central) and runners-up, Portland United (Southern League South) have their promotions rubber-stamped. Wincanton Town are reprieved from relegation and take their place once more in the 22-team Premier Division.

PURPS ADD CUP DOUBLE

May 12, 2026
AFC Stoneham completed a quick-fire cup double to add to their Premier Division title, with victories in the Russell Cotes Cup and Southampton Senior Cups.

RAMS UPSET ROYALS IN PSC FINAL

May 9, 2026
Petersfield Town clinched the Portsmouth Senior Cup following a tense penalty shoot-out victory over AFC Portchester, on Friday night. Gav Spurway's Royals may wonder how this one got away, with the Isthmian South Central play-off side having the lions share of possession, while the Petersfield goal increasingly lived a charmed life as the game progressed.

MONKS LEAGUE CUP TRIUMPH

May 4, 2026
Hamble Club celebrated their second Velocity Wessex League Cup in three years after defeating Premier Division champions, AFC Stoneham by the odd goal in five at Downton on Bank Holiday Monday. Tyrrell Sampson put the Purps in the ascendency after fifteen, but it was short-lived as Matt Casey drilled home from the edge of the box shortly after to draw level. CUP FINAL - PROGRAMME DOWNLOAD Duarte Martins made no mistake from a loose ball to restore Stoneham's advantage going into the interval, before substitute, Chase Michel restored parity for a second time just before the hour mark with his first touch of the game.

YATELEY MARCH TO STEP 5

May 3, 2026
Yateley United's rise continued on Saturday, as they reached Step 5 for the first time in the club's short history in emphatic fashion, with 6-1 victory over Whitchurch United. A Wessex League season best crowd of 908 witnessed the Division One play-off final at Yateley's Sean Devereux Park - a venue hosting Step 7 football as recently as 2022/23 in the Thames Valley Premier. Read more in our latest Wessex Post Newsletter Both sides came through their respective midweek play-off semi-finals against Colden Common (2-1) and Folland Sports (0-1) respectively, but Yateley prevailed in the final courtesy of Lynford Sackey (2), Harvey Seeman, Tyler Robinson - and two in the closing moments from Josh Blackwood and Callum Scott to add gloss. James Batchelor's netted Whitchurch's reply with fifteen to go, to reduce the arrears to 3-1, but almost immediately after, Robinson restored the host's three-goal advantage. Our congratulations to Yateley United on your achievement, and commiserations to Whitchurch United. Photo: Greg Dickson
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