WEEKEND PREVIEW - DEC 17
Although the temperatures are predicted to rise towards the weekend, they have been below freezing most nights – and with the added threat of rain to the surfaces it is difficult to see a full programme being played. So, this is written in a spirit of hope and blind optimism (and the usual poor English) that some games may survive.
**UPDATE FRI P.M: Some fixtures have already been postponed - please check the Wessex League Twitter for further updates, and the home club, before making travel plans.
The Premier Division starts on FRIDAY EVENING when Moneyfields entertain Horndean at Havant & Waterlooville’s Draper Tools Community Stadium, with an 8.00pm kick off. Both sides are going well at present but Horndean’s recent away form may tip the balance.
On to Saturday and AFC Portchester have one of the “banana skin” games that all League leaders face as they entertain Blackfield & Langley who have just one away win to their credit. The home side should avoid the possible slip up. AFC Stoneham’s convincing midweek win took them in to third place in the table and they should maintain that position with the visit of Christchurch and, similarly, fourth place Bemerton Heath should hold their place when Pagham cross in to Wiltshire.
Hamble Club head west to Portland, and with the home side buoyed by their last two results a share of the points could be the outcome. Shaftesbury have not quite yet reached last season’s form and consistency at home, but may prove too strong for Hythe & Dibden despite the latter’s ability to score goals.
Baffins Milton Rovers, still slightly inconsistent, should prove too strong for visitors Bournemouth and there could be another home win on the cards when Fareham host Brockenhurst at Cams Alders. Neither side are very reliable when it comes to any predicting their results but Fareham probably have the better goal power up front.
United Services Portsmouth against Laverstock & Ford at Burnaby Road is hard to call but, as with Fareham, Laverstock’s scoring prowess may prove superior. The final game sees Alresford start to put their season together again with the visit of Cowes Sports. The Island side are not the best of travellers but have the opportunity here to collect three welcome points.
Division One also starts the weekend with a game on FRIDAY EVENING when League Leaders New Milton Town travel to Totton & Eling. The Millers are much improved from last season but may find this a step too far on the evening.
The top match in the Division on the Saturday is at Downton where Andover New Street are the visitors with the Clubs in second and third places in the table. The two sides met recently at Wick Lane in the Wessex League Cup with Street winning 3-0, which adds another ingredient to the game.
Fourth place Newport have returned to winning ways after a couple of slips and should be too strong for Ash United at Smallbrook but Petersfield, who complete the top five, may have to be content with a share of the points at Verwood.
Neither Andover Town or Follands have quite reached last season’s form but both could be on course for home victories on Saturday. Andover have turned the Portway in to something of a fortress, being unbeaten to date, and it is difficult to see East Cowes Vics denting that record and, similarly, Follands should be too strong for Whitchurch at Hamble.
Both Hamworthy Recreation and Fleetlands continue to make their mark and both could be on course for three points. Hamworthy entertain Amesbury, Town who have yet to win on their travels, and though Fleetlands are stronger at home they should have enough to come out on top at Fleet Spurs.
The remaining two games are difficult to call, Fawley and Millbrook is almost a local derby with the home side perhaps taking the spoils whilst Ringwood Town and Romsey Town both lack consistency and the points could be shared.
After all that it will be down to the weather.
