WEEKEND PREVIEW - OCT 8
A full League programme ensues this weekend - and after their last gasp winner on Tuesday, AFC Porchester now top the table on their own and still with a 100% record. They could keep both intact when they host Hythe & Dibden.
Bemerton Heath will be looking to bounce back when the slightly inconsistent Bournemouth visit Moon Park while Hamble Club will be seeking to maintain their third spot when Shaftesbury come visiting. It will be a tough test for the home side.
Horndean will be favourites for the three points against Cowes Sports at Five Heads Park with the Island side having lost three of their four away matches to date while fifth place Fareham Town travel to Portland. The two sides have already met in the Wessex League Cup this season with the Creeksiders winning 3-0 but Portland have enjoyed improved results since then and could at least share the points.
Blackfield & Langley picked up their first point of the season at Baffins in midweek (pictured) and will be hoping to build on that against AFC Stoneham though that will not be easy. PLEASE NOTE this game is being played at the Hythe Garage Services Stadium.
Baffins, in turn, welcome Pagham who have not built on their good start to the campaign and a home win could be the outcome. Laverstock & Ford could do with transferring their Cup form to League matches and may take the points when the inconsistent Brockenhurst visit Wiltshire while Moneyfields may well be too strong for US Portsmouth in the local derby at Burnaby Road.
Lastly Alresford arrested a losing run with a win in the Southampton Senior Cup in midweek, albeit against opposition from a lower level, and now face Christchurch at Arlebury Park with hopes of improving their League position. The result could go either way.
In Division One leaders Downton can retain their position when Hamworthy Recreation travel to Wick Lane. The Rec are settling in to Wessex League football but this will be a stern test. New Milton, in second place, face Andover Town who are a place behind them and home advantage could give the Linnets the edge.
Follands go to Amesbury and should extend the home side’s current poor run of results while Andover New Street, who climbed into fifth place after their midweek win, may have too much up front for Verwood. Newport are still playing catch up as regards games and travel to meet a Fawley side who can make life difficult for visitors to the Waterside.
Fleetlands, like Hamworthy Rec, are rapidly adjusting to the higher level of football and may well take at least a point against visitors Petersfield and East Cowes Vics have every chance of improving their position when Ash United make the long trip to the Island.
Ringwood have fallen away after a good start to the season but perhaps have the chance of sharing the points against visitors Totton & Eling despite the latter’s improved form this time round.
Bottom of the table Fleet Spurs are still seeking their first point with Romsey the visitors to Kennels Lane but obviously do need an improvement in form.
Article Photo: Simon Hill
