ROYALS AT THE DOUBLE!
May 6, 2025
AFC Portchester made it a Velocity Wessex League and cup double as they beat Hamble Club 2-0 on Bank Holiday Monday.
CUP FINAL - PROGRAMME DOWNLOAD
Gave Spurway's side avenged for last season's defeat as the two sides met in a repeat of the cup final 12 months prior, with a goal in each half from Marley Ridge and Lee Wort settling the outcome, in front of 652 at the OnSite Group Stadium.
It's the fifth occasion a Wessex League double has been completed - and we extend our congratulations to AFC Portchester on their success and promotion to Step 4 for the first time in their history.
We would also like to extend our thanks to Paul Kelly and AFC Portchester for their hospitality and co-operation in hosting our showpiece occasion once more.
AFC Portchester and Hamble Club will meet once more in the 2025/26 season curtain raiser - our Charity Cup on Saturday, July 26 - in aid of the Wessex Cancer Support. Keep an eye out on our socials for confirmation of venue, k.o time and admission details.
Photos: Robin Caddy
The draw for the early rounds of the Velocity Wessex League Cup will take place on Sunday (June 22), live on the Radio Show between 2-4pm. Ten ties will be drawn at the First Round stage, with 22 byes; Ball numbers as follows: 1. AFC ALDERMASTON 2. AFC STONEHAM 3. ALRESFORD TOWN 4. AMESBURY TOWN 5. ANDOVER NEW STREET 6. ASH UNITED 7. BAFFINS MILTON ROVERS 8. BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 9. BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY 10. BOURNEMOUTH 11. BROCKENHURST 12. CHRISTCHURCH 13. CLANFIELD 14. COLDEN COMMON 15. COVE 16. COWES SPORTS 17. DOWNTON 18. EAST COWES VICTORIA 19. FAWLEY AFC 20. FLEETLANDS 21. FOLLAND SPORTS 22. FRIMLEY GREEN 23. HAMBLE CLUB 24. HAMWORTHY REC 25. HAMWORTHY UNITED 26. HYTHE & DIBDEN 27. KINTBURY RANGERS 28. LAVERSTOCK & FORD 29. LYMINGTON TOWN 30. MILLBROOK 31. NEW MILTON TOWN 32. NEWPORT IOW 33. PETERSFIELD TOWN 34. PORTLAND UNITED 35. RINGWOOD TOWN 36. ROMSEY TOWN 37. SHERBORNE TOWN 38. TOTTON & ELING 39. US PORTSMOUTH 40. WHITCHURCH UNITED 41. WINCANTON TOWN 42. YATELEY UNITED There will be a different name on the trophy this season, with League and Cup double winners, AFC Portchester (pictured), gaining promotion to the Isthmian South Central. Dates for the ties drawn will be confirmed in due course. The League campaign gets under way on Saturday, August 2 for both the Premier Division and Division One, with fixtures released at the end of June for the Premier Division, and mid-July for Division One (owing to ground shares). Photo: Robin Caddy
The FA have released the following dates to support club planning for its competitions in 2025/26: On Friday 13 June 2025 , we shall be releasing the below information; Round dates for The Emirates FA Cup , The Isuzu FA Trophy , The Isuzu FA Vase and The FA Youth Cup . On Friday 27 June 2025 , we shall be releasing the below information for each Competition; List of Clubs accepted into each Competition (Clubs not accepted into a Competition shall be notified separately regarding that Competition on the same date) List of Clubs to receive exemption Prize Fund On Friday 4 July 2025 , we shall be releasing the below information; The Emirates FA Cup – Extra Preliminary Round & Preliminary Round draws The Isuzu FA Trophy – Preliminary Round & First Round Qualifying draws The Isuzu FA Vase – First Round Qualifying & Second Round Qualifying draws The FA Youth Cup – Extra Preliminary Round & Preliminary Round draws During the week commencing Monday 14 July 2025 , Clubs shall receive the below; Competition Rules (The Emirates FA Cup, The Isuzu FA Trophy, The Isuzu FA Vase and The FA Youth Cup) (by email) Carbonated team sheets (by post) FA wall planner (by post) *Please note, all dates are subject to change, any changes shall be communicated if required.
The FA have released their NLS allocations for Steps 2-6 for the 2025/26 season. The Velocity Wessex Premier Division will comprise of 20 teams, including New Milton Town and East Cowes Victoria - both promoted from Division One - and a return for Bemerton Heath Harlequins who have taken voluntary relegation from the Southern League. We also welcome back Petersfield Town following their single-season lateral move from the Southern Combination League. Departing us are Premier Division champions, AFC Portchester - who alongside runners-up Fareham Town, are both promoted to the Isthmian League South Central - a division featuring local rivals and fellow Wessex alumni - Horndean and Moneyfields.
AFC Stoneham have won the Southampton Senior Cup in an an all-Wessex affair against Millbrook at St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday night. First half strikes from Alex Welch and Tyrell Sampson put the Purps in the ascendency before Duarte Martins added gloss to complete the 3-0 scoreline with fifteen left to play.
East Cowes Victoria Athletic claimed their place in next season's Velocity Wessex League Premier Division with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory at Frimley Green. Elliot Wheeler gave the Vics the lead shortly after half-time before late drama as Adam Mekki levelled things up for the hosts deep into added on time.
Fareham Town have won promotion to Step 4 after defeating Andover New Street 2-1 in the Premier Division play-off final at Cams Alders. A fantastic crowd of 1,103 watched on as Callie Neil gave Simon Wood's side the early advantage, before Stan Bridgman's spot kick would prove decisive, nine minutes into the second half.
