ROUND UP - MARCH 5

Happily, given the weather in the preceding week, only one game was lost because of a waterlogged pitch and some interesting games and results as the League moves in to the last quarter of the season.

In the Premier Division the top match was the meeting, for the second consecutive Saturday, of Brockenhurst and Horndean. third and second in the table respectively. Last week’s clash ended goalless but this second encounter belonged to Horndean.

They were two nil up at the break and finished victors by three goals to one with the usual pairing of Connor Duffin and Zak Willett on the scoresheet, the first named with two, while Mitch Speechley Price notched the Badgers consolation.

Leaders Hamworthy United also faced the same opposition as seven days earlier and completed the double over Cowes Sports with a four two win at the County Ground. Matt Wilcock (2), Eddie Hodge and Steve Devlin on target for the home side with Jimmy Mumford and John McKie replying for the Islanders.

Coming up on the rails, to venture in to horse racing parlance, are Shaftesbury who moved in to third place after a four nil defeat of Fareham Town. As usual the goals were shared around – Luke Burbidge, Ben Satterley, Louis Moore and Ash Pope – and that took their tally of League goals for the season to ninety nine.

Bashley were held to a two-all draw by Baffins Milton Rovers (pictured, courtesy of Les Chase), the visitors best result for some time. Two goals from Rudi Blanksome gave the Portsmouth side the lead at the break but strikes from Jamie Webber and Lewis Ross bought the scores level.

AFC Stoneham added to Christchurch’s woes with a comprehensive five goal victory courtesy of a hat trick from Callum Laycock and singles from Will Wiseman and Duarte Martins while AFC Portchester came out on top against Blackfield and Langley by the odd goal in three. Lee Wort and Rafa Ramos for the home side and Owen Fee, again, for the Watersiders. Moneyfields and Alresford finished level at a goal apiece - Steve Hutchings and Brandon Channell – whilst Amesbury and Portland also shared the points with neither side finding the net.

Lastly Hythe and Dibden’s fortunes looked to be taking a turn for the better when goals from Callum Beasley and Aaron Dunne gave them a two nil lead over Alton at the break, but The Brewers replied with three in the second half, Ed Dryden claiming two and George Bowerman the third. So Hamworthy remain six points clear at the top with a game in hand on second place Horndean.

Two of the games in Division One involved four of the top five in the table but unfortunately the Newport v Andover Town was the one fixture on the day to fall foul of a waterlogged pitch. In the other game Andover New Street and leaders Bemerton Heath fought out an entertaining goalless draw, a result which, in the long run. may well serve New Street the better.

With Follands not in action there was not a lot of change in the top five. After their sad break Laverstock and Ford returned to action with a creditable best of five goals victory at Romsey. The usual pairing of Russell Jones and Chas Wykes were responsible for two of the Laverstock goals with Jake Rawkins adding the third while Liam Magee scored both the home goals.

Downton, on the fringe of the promotion race, suffered a setback at Petersfield, going down by the odd goal in five thanks to home goals from Aaron Akoman, Charlie Ockwell and Marvin Orepo outweighing two Ollie Davies goals for the visitors. A welcome win for East Cowes Vics, four one over Whitchurch at Beatrice Avenue, with Sam Cant (2), Jimmi Burton and Ryan Gregory finding the net and Nathan Lynch getting the lone Jamboys goal.

Two Clubs who have not enjoyed the best of fortunes of late met at Long Lane with Ringwood getting the better of Millbrook by two goals to one – Ryan Hamm and Joss Holford for the home side and Morgan Callaway for Millbrook. Ash United gained a precious win over Fawley and increased their visitors’ relegation fears with a three two win in the north of the County.

Stan Staines with two and Luke Cairns scored the home goals with both of Fawley’s replies coming from Dylan Knight, Fleet Spurs improved their position with a three nil win over Verwood at Kennels Lane, all the goals coming in the first half from Jonathan Miller with two and Harry White, but no joy for fellow strugglers Totton and Eling who went down two one at New Milton. Tyrell Sampson and Ben Cooper scored at the beginning and the end of the proceedings with an own goal in between registering for the visitors. So Bemerton still lead a promotion race that could well go down to the last Saturday.