WEEKEND PREVIEW - OCT 8

October 7, 2022

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.

 

FIXTURES


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.


TABLES


Article Photo: Simon Hill

October 13, 2025
We can confirm play-off dates for 2025/26 are as follows: PREMIER DIVISION Last game of the season Saturday, 18th April 2nd v 5th - Tuesday, 21st April (7.45pm k.o) 3rd v 4th - Wednesday, 22nd April (7.45pm k.o) FINAL - Saturday, 25th April (3pm k.o) DIVISION ONE Last game of the season Saturday, 25th April 2nd v 5th - Tuesday, 28th April (7.45pm k.o) 3rd v 4th - Wednesday, 29th April (7.45pm k.o) FINAL - Saturday, 2nd May (3pm k.o) As normal in the play-offs, play-off ties will take place at the ground of the club finishing highest in the regular season.
September 26, 2025
The Velocity Wessex League extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and team mates of Billy Vigar, following the 21-year-old's recent passing. The former Arsenal academy striker was placed into an induced coma after suffering a serious brain injury while playing for Chichester City FC, and tragically passed away in hospital. We fully support member clubs who wish to observe a minute of silence - or applause - ahead of their games this weekend, as a mark of respect and in tribute to Billy.
September 23, 2025
The draw for the first round of the Isuzu FA Vase has taken place with our 14 remaining Wessex League sides featuring as follows: AFC Aldermaston v Infinity Amesbury Town v Highworth Town Bearsted v Cowes Sports Bridgwater United v Hythe & Dibden Cirencester Town v Millbrook Cove v Snodland Town Downton v Sidmouth Town Ivybridge v Totton & Eling Malmesbury Victoria v Portland United Penzance v Hamworthy Recreation Reading City v Baffins Milton Rovers Sherborne Town v Hamworthy United Whitchurch United v Windsor & Eton Ties to be played on Saturday, October 18. Prize money of £825 goes to the round winners, with £250 to the losing sides. The full draw can be viewed here . Article Photo: Baffins Milton Rovers and Hythe & Dibden both face away tasks in the Vase draw at Reading City and Bridgwater Town respectively (Photo: Ian Grainger)
September 15, 2025
Laverstock & Ford are our Premier Division 'Club of the Month' for August, following their exploits in the FA Cup, with progression into the second round qualifying. Liam McConnell's side also enjoyed progression in the FA Vase with victory at US Portsmouth, and commenced their League campaign with a 5-0 success over Baffins Milton Rovers.
September 1, 2025
Laverstock & Ford fly the Velocity Wessex League flag in the Emirates FA Cup, with the Bulldog's 2-1 win at Hythe & Dibden earning a local derby against Salisbury in the second round qualifying. Liam McConnell's side came from behind to advance - and equal the club's best ever season in the Cup - courtesy of strikes from Archie Lovegrove and Chae Sykes which cancelled out Ollie Davies free-kick for the hosts. LISTEN - HEAR LIAM MCCONNELL'S FA CUP REACTION ON THE WESSEX LEAGUE PODCAST
August 18, 2025
Hythe & Dibden will host Laverstock & Ford in an intriguing all-Wessex League tie, after the Premier Division rivals were drawn together in the FA Cup first round qualifying. It's a third home outing on the spin for Hythe, who have already dispatched fellow Wessex League sides Portland United and New Milton Town on their own patch to reach this stage for only the second time. Meanwhile the Bulldogs needed a replay and penalties to edge past Cowes Sports in the extra preliminary stage, before an impressive 2-0 victory on the road at former Wessex League champions, Horndean - now plying their trade in the Isthmian South Central. Laverstock have reached the first round qualifying in three of the last four seasons - and will be looking to emulate 2022/23 when they went one better, bowing out at the second round qualifying stage by a single goal at Taunton Town. AFC Stoneham are our third representative in the draw - they travel to Southern League Premier South side, Hungerford Town, following home victories over Fleet Town and Paulton Rovers (main picture). The Purps have also previously reached a club-best of the second round qualifying in each of the last two campaigns, with identical 1-7 defeats at higher-ranked Yeovil Town and Salisbury, respectively. Winners of the ties on August 30 will receive £2,250, with the losers netting £750. FA CUP - FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING - DRAW IN FULL Article Photo: Robin Caddy
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