WEEKEND PREVIEW - NOV 19
Midway through November and a virtually full league programme this Saturday with some interesting games in both Divisions.
In the Premier Division, with second placed Bemerton Heath not in action a chance for the first and third sides to take advantage and both of them are away from home. Leaders AFC Portchester (pictured) head east – not very often that happens – to Pagham and on paper should return with the three points.
The Sussex side have only two League wins to their name, both at the start of the season, and it is difficult to see any other result than an away win. Horndean head a long way in the other direction, to Portland, and again should prove too strong for their hosts.
Fourth place AFC Stoneham are also on their travels with a trip to Laverstock & Ford who are never easy to beat at home, but at present cannot seem to reproduce their Cup form in the League and with the visitors going well it could be another away win.
Hamble Club, one of the surprise Clubs of the season to date, have a home fixture with Baffins Milton Rovers who have enjoyed good away form to date and the points could well be shared. Bournemouth and Christchurch are both at home, to Hythe & Dibden and Brockenhurst respectively. The Poppies have lost their last four games at Victoria Park and Hythe & Dibden’s goalscoring prowess may give them the edge, while Brockenhurst, if they are free from the injuries that have blighted them of late, could come out on top at Hurn Bridge which could mean two more away wins.
One game that should end in a home win is at Shaftesbury where Cowes Sports are the visitors. A long journey for the Island side, who have a poor record away from home, and they could face a difficult afternoon. At the bottom of the table Blackfield & Langley welcome Fareham to the Waterside and, given the latter’s inconsistency, could well take at least a point but it is difficult to see Alresford Town improving their position when they head south to US Portsmouth – they are sadly struggling badly at present.
Two games stand out in Division One, those at Downton and Newport. At Downton it is a meeting of the top two with New Milton Town the visitors. Both sides can score goals but the home side’s defensive quality may give them the edge. On the Island, Petersfield are the visitors to Smallbrook and, as with Hamble Club in the Premier, they are the surprise side in the Division and are now fifth in the table. They are difficult to beat, but so are Newport at home and the points may well go to the Island side.
Andover New Street head to Test Park and Millbrook and will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten record in the League while their near neighbours, Andover Town, host Amesbury from just along the A303 and must be favourites to come out on top.
Follands entertain the improving Hamworthy Recreation and cannot be guaranteed victory in a game that kicks off at 2.00pm. Verwood’s good home record could be maintained when Ash make the long journey down the A31 while Fleetlands, who gained a long awaited away victory last week, may fancy their chances at Romsey Town who are going through a difficult patch at present.
Ringwood and Fawley have almost identical records and could well end all square but Totton & Eling will be favourites to beat East Cowes Vics given the Island side’s poor away record. Bottom Club Fleet Spurs, despite still seeking their first point, have shown signs of improvement of late and must have a chance when they entertain Whitchurch. The visitors do not have the best of away records and at present are struggling for goals with players either left or injured.
All we want now is cooperation from the weather!
Article Photo: Daniel Haswell
