WEEKEND PREVIEW - FEB 4
Most Clubs have now or nearly reached the halfway point in respect of the League matches to be played, and in a number of cases, at both ends of the table in both Divisions, points are beginning to look important.
In the Premier Division, leaders AFC Portchester are 15 points clear of third place and look destined for promotion but will need to work hard to pick up three points from Shaftesbury. The visitors are probably outside the promotion race but are always difficult to beat.
Second place AFC Stoneham, like Portchester, have a 100% home record, but will be wary of visitors Fareham, who can be a match for most on their day. Horndean should have the edge over Hythe & Dibden at Five Heads Park and Hamble Club, despite their Cup loss in midweek, can well take all three points at Portland.
Moneyfields are now in the top five and should collect three points at Gang Warily, though Blackfield are showing improvement as the season progresses. Bemerton Heath Harlequins have settled well after their promotion but will face a strong test at Christchurch, who have won their last five at home whilst the other promoted side, Laverstock & Ford, could add to Pagham’s relegation worries when they make the long journey to Sussex.
Baffins Milton Rovers, despite their inconsistent form, will surely take all three points from visitors Alresford, who even at this stage of the season, look destined for Division One next season.
Both Cowes Sports and Bournemouth are flirting with the relegation area and have matches where the results are hard to predict. The Yachtsmen entertain Brockenhurst, who have lost their last five on the road while the Poppies head along the coast to US Portsmouth who have picked up results at home of late.
No question as to the top game in Division One as the top two in the table, Newport and New Milton, meet at Smallbrook. Both sides have good records and can score goals but on the day Newport may have the greater defensive strength.
Andover New Street play their first League game for a fortnight, following a postponement and a League Cup tie, and will be looking for all three points at home to Romsey to strengthen their involvement in the promotion chase.
Petersfield Town (pictured - in red), in fourth place, will be strong favourites to take all three points against Amesbury at Love Lane. The Wiltshire side have struggled all season so far and conceded eight in midweek and even at this relatively early stage time is running out.
Downton complete the top five and will probably be too strong for Ringwood at home while the ever-improving Hamworthy Recreation should take the points when Whitchurch come calling despite the latter’s fine midweek win on the road.
Fleetlands (pictured - in yellow), can take all three points at home to Fleet Spurs while Follands, who seem to be still seeking last season’s form, face East Cowes Vics at Hamble with the visitors having won their last two games.
Millbrook against Fawley could go either way though Millbrook’s home form is patchy while Andover Town, so good at home, travel to Totton & Eling having lost the last three on their travels. Lastly Ash United, who are looking over their shoulders at the relegation scrap, could improve their position when Verwood head north.
We only lost one game to the elements last week, hopefully the full programme will be completed this week.
Article Photo: Ian Grainger
