WEEKEND PREVIEW - JANUARY 14
A preview of the likely weather may be more appropriate - we can but hope that Saturday is better than the forecast.
There is a full programme scheduled for both Divisions with Premier Division leaders AFC Portchester defending their 100% home record when Laverstock & Ford come visiting. The newly promoted Wiltshire side can make life difficult but this is beginning to look like Portchester’s year and three more points should be the outcome.
Their nearest challengers, AFC Stoneham and Horndean, are both on the road. Stoneham head west to Bournemouth and should come out on top while Horndean have something of a local derby at Baffins Milton Rovers who have a rather inconsistent home record which could count against them.
Bemerton, with games to catch up on, found their shooting boots in midweek and should be too strong for US Portsmouth at Moon Park while Moneyfields, who complete the top five, must be favourites for the points when Portland come visiting for a 3.00pm kick off at Havant & Waterlooville.
Shaftesbury, unbeaten in their last four away games, can stretch that to five when they cross to Cowes Sports and Hamble Club should be too strong at home for Blackfield & Langley, though the visitors did score six last week.
Pagham, with only two away wins to their name, need three points at Christchurch, Hythe & Dibden could well take advantage of Brockenhurst’s inconsistent form and Alresford, with more games to play than most, will be hoping for at least a point when they entertain Fareham whose away form is not the best.
In Division One, leaders New Milton Town will be looking to bounce back from last week’s reverse when they visit Millbrook while, conversely, second placed Andover New Street will be hoping to build on last week’s victory when they host Ringwood. Could be wins for both the leading Clubs.
Downton head for Hamworthy Recreation and may have to settle for a share of the points but Newport, who complete the top four, will surely be too strong for Romsey at Smallbrook. Petersfield have an impressive away record which will be put to the test at Fawley, though they should come through, but Andover Town at Fleetlands is difficult to call.
Follands travel north to Fleet Spurs with the home side surely wanting to build on last week’s win while the Whitchurch v Verwood clash could go either way.
Totton & Eling, another club, like Millbrook, with more games to play than most, Journey to Ash United and should at least get a share of the points while we finish with a “crunch” game at Bonnymead Park where Amesbury host East Cowes Vics. Both are in the relegation zone and both seven points behind the side directly above them with points now becoming a necessity.
Article Photo: Paul Paxford | @PitchSidePhoto
