THE WEEK THAT WAS - MARCH 25

March 26, 2023

Last Tuesday saw Baffins put up a plucky display against Aldershot Town in the Hampshire Senior Cup, but a Semi Final place wasn’t to be- a penalty shootout defeat after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes. In the other cup tie that night, Romsey Town’s visit to Tadley Calleva also went to penalties. However in this case a winning one for our member club.

Our League Cup Semi Final involving Fareham Town and Petersfield Town fell by the wayside, they try

again this coming Tuesday.

In the Premier Division, Bemerton felt to only their third league reverse of the season at Moneyfields, so failed to close the gap at the head of the table. Hamble inflicted a heavy defeat on Blackfield & Langley – the Watersiders stay in a relegation spot although with Pagham and Brockenhurst also losing, just six points separate 14th from 19th.

With AFC Portchester not in action, AFC Stoneham closed the gap at the top to four points scoring four at Shaftesbury.

Division One saw Andover New Street collect maximum points with a 4-0 win on the road to go top of the table. With New Milton, Newport and Petersfield all missing out on a game, a 4-0 win at Magna Road saw Hamworthy Recreation jump to fourth place. Downton could only share the spoils at lowly Ash, it looks like a sixth place finish is the best the Robins can hope for, although Fleetlands with games in hand on all those above them may have something to say about that.

At the other end, East Cowes Vics opened a five point gap over the bottom four with a win over fellow strugglers Ringwood Town, who are in real danger of falling into the relegation trap. Just one game on Wednesday, where Sholing perhaps not surprisingly beat Hythe & Dibden to reach the Southampton Senior Cup Final.

The difficult weather conditions continued into the weekend, with two games lost, at Andover Town and Hythe & Dibden. The Fareham game was called off due to Travellers pitching up at Cams Alders, and although they were moved on fairly soon, not without incident where we understand that there was an incident in the ground, but the decision to postpone had already been taken by the League.

Not a great deal of goal action across the remaining 15 games that did get played on the Saturday,

with 45 scored- representing three at each game.

AFC Portchester continued their march towards the title, but it took an own goal in the 80th minute to get them the points, a gate of 298 at The Dell being the biggest there in the League this term.

Another best of the season was at Stoneham Lane second place took on third as promotion rivals AFC Stoneham and Horndean (pictured) attracted 237 through the gate. The ‘deans won 1-0 meaning the gap at the top has opened up to seven points, although Horndean have four in hand on both teams above them. It was also Stoneham’s first defeat at home in the League this season.

The other top gate was at Brockenhurst. 144 saw the Badgers win an important clash with Pagham, that may have been enough to lift them out of the relegation zone, whilst the Lions remain in the danger zone. Another best of five win was at United Services, where Portland hit two in added on time to make it five wins on the trot.

In Division One, there was no change to the top three spots. Andover New Street could only draw at fifth place Petersfield in front of a crowd of just over 300, a score that probably didn’t help either side. New Milton Town though came unstuck at Beatrice Avenue where East Cowes Vics made it four unbeaten winning 1-0. Newport’s game at Andover Town was off due to the weather and Hamworthy Recreation took advantage notching up a 2-0 win over Fleetlands.

The Lederle Lane side have games in hand on all those above them- and if they win all of those and other results go their way they could find themselves in a play-off berth, but at this stage of the season are points in the bag better than games in hand?

Downton also returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win at Ringwood. With Whitchurch United, Amesbury Town and Fleet Spurs all losing there’s no real change in the relegation zone. The latter returned home on the back of the biggest losing margin of the day when Verwood hit five, with five different scorers.

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Article Photo: Robin Caddy

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PURPS INTO VASE QUARTERS

February 15, 2026

AFC Stoneham held their nerve to edge-out Haywards Heath Town on penalties and reach the FA Vase quarter finals for the first time. Duarte Martins put the Purps ahead early in the second half, before the hosts levelled through Henry Watson with six minutes remaining in front of 674 at Hanbury Park Stadium. However, Martins scored the decisive spot kick to continue Stoneham's run in the competition, and join fellow Wessex side, Downton in the last eight. Stoneham's victory sets-up a tie against United Counties League Premier Division South side, Coventry United. Downton meanwhile are also just two wins away from Wembley, reaching the quarter finals last week in beating Lymore Gardens 3-0 - they travel to SCEFL Premier Division side, Punjab United - ties to be played on February 28. Photo: Tommy McMillan

NON-LEAGUE DAY 2026

February 8, 2026

Grassroots football clubs across the country are preparing for one of the most anticipated days in the non-league calendar as Non-League Day 2026 on Saturday, March 28 . The annual event, founded in 2010 by James Doe to celebrate and promote community-run football, is designed to fall on a weekend during the football international break — giving fans of Premier League and Football League clubs without fixtures the chance to explore non-league action. Non-League Day encourages supporters to head to local grounds up and down the country to watch live matches, meet volunteers who run their local clubs and experience the unique atmosphere of grassroots football. Find Wessex League Fixtures On Non-League Day With hundreds of fixtures traditionally taking place at Step 1–6 levels of the football pyramid, clubs often use the day to offer special incentives such as reduced admission prices and community activities to draw in new fans. For many clubs, Non-League Day is more than just a matchday — it’s a chance to spotlight the heart and soul of English football, where volunteer efforts and local pride keep the game thriving far from television lights. Organisers and club officials alike are expected to unveil specific fixtures, offers and events in the weeks leading up to the event. As anticipation builds toward March 28, the non-league community is gearing up for a celebration of football in its purest form — one that brings supporters together, strengthens club-town bonds and champions the grassroots game at every level.

DOWNTON'S VASE DELIGHT!

February 8, 2026

Downton swept aside Eastern Counties League side, Lymore Gardens 3-0 to reach the last eight of the Isuzu FA Vase for the first time in the club's history. Sam Davidson gave the Robins the lead just before the break (photo below), before Brett Pitman's header made it two, four minutes into the second half.

TRADE SHOW & GENERAL MEETING

February 5, 2026

The Velocity Wessex League are pleased to announce that the annual Football related Trade Show and General Meeting will be held at Eastleigh FC, Silverlake Stadium, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, SO50 9HT on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 6-9pm. The event will be similar to last year's format with hopefully an increase in the number of football related exhibitors for Club representatives to talk to and discuss their requirements. A General Meeting will commence at 7.30pm, all Clubs must attend with each Club expected to send up to three delegates, two of whom should be the Chairman and Secretary, the Agenda will be distributed nearer the time. A complimentary buffet will be provided and each Club will be given a free Velocity Wessex League match ball on departure.

FvH - MONTH OF ACTION

January 28, 2026

The annual Football v Homophobia Month of Action will be held in February 2026, in what is also LGBT+ History Month; every year, hundreds of FvH Champions amplify the anti-discrimination campaign’s message; find out why and how you can be part of it. Sign up for the FvH Month of Action here ‘Football for Everyone’ – it’s a simple message, but one that bears repeating. Since 2010, this has been the slogan of the Football v Homophobia campaign, which raises awareness of the damage caused by discrimination at all levels of the game. February is the annual FvH Month of Action , during which clubs, leagues, teams, fan groups and organisations are encouraged to focus their efforts and make a difference. Hundreds sign up to be FvH Champions at this time every year to help amplify the campaign’s message and reaffirm a commitment to creating safe and welcoming football spaces for all. See the list of 2025 Champions here , and those who have so far signed up to be 2026 Champions . Everyone can play their part. FvH makes free resources and assets available, and you can purchase items including T-shirts, flags, match balls, captains’ armbands and badges from the FvH Shop . So why is Football v Homophobia an important initiative to support in 2026? Here are 10 reasons why stepping up to be an FvH Champion makes sense…

PLAY-OFFS 2025/26

October 13, 2025

We can confirm play-off dates for 2025/26 are as follows: PREMIER DIVISION Last game of the season Saturday, 18th April 2nd v 5th - Tuesday, 21st April (7.45pm k.o) 3rd v 4th - Wednesday, 22nd April (7.45pm k.o) FINAL - Saturday, 25th April (3pm k.o) DIVISION ONE Last game of the season Saturday, 25th April 2nd v 5th - Tuesday, 28th April (7.45pm k.o) 3rd v 4th - Wednesday, 29th April (7.45pm k.o) FINAL - Saturday, 2nd May (3pm k.o) As normal in the play-offs, play-off ties will take place at the ground of the club finishing highest in the regular season.