WEEKEND ROUND-UP - APRIL 16
The final Saturday of the season and with the Premier Division Title already decided, attention was focused on Division One where the Title race went down to the wire, to quote a hackneyed phrase. Odds were very much in Bemerton Heath’s favour (pictured, below) in that a win would ensure them of the title, regardless of other results, and they duly achieved same with a 3-1 defeat of Andover Town.
It was fitting that Justin Bennett, the Division’s leading scorer, claimed two of the goals with Danny Young adding the third. Andover Town, who were in the promotion race until the final two to three weeks, saw their goal come from Ben Emans.
Andover New Street, the only side who could have denied Bemerton the Title, won 2-0 at East Cowes Vics thanks to a Ross Cook double, to take second place and a few miles across the Island Newport’s 3-1 victory over Whitchurch gave them third spot, The visitors scored first through Nathan Lynch but goals from Jordan Browne, Joe Butcher and Aaron Burford saw Newport home.
Follands, without a game on the day, took fourth place and Laverstock & Ford finished a superb second half to the season with a 5-0 win over Ash United at the Dell to reach the final play off place, the goals coming from Jake Rawkins with a double, plus singles from Archie Lovegrove, Chae Sykes and Lewis Wakeford.
Two Clubs who had been on the fringe of the promotion race all season, New Milton Town and Romsey Town, shared the points in a one all draw – Noel McCarthy-Gardiner and Liam Magee with the goals – while Downton, another Club who were there or thereabouts all season without greatly challenging the top five, finished in style with an 8-0 win at bottom Club Totton & Eling, Ollie Davies led the way with four, Cameron Butler added two and there were singles from Shaun Prentice and Will Mackie. A rather ignominious end to an awful season for the Millers who are now likely to lose their League place after some thirty years under their present name and past life as BAT.
Millbrook have endured a season in which when they have lost, they have frequently lost heavily, and such was the case again with visitors Petersfield winning 6-2. Max Paddon scored four with Keiran Alcock and Aaron Akoman making up the six. Sean Haines and Martyn Randall providing the Dockers goals.
Lastly Fleet Spurs and Ringwood finished all square at Kennels Lane after Joe Petty had given the visitors the lead and Tom White had claimed the equaliser.
Baffins Milton Rovers and Hamble Club started the Premier Division fixtures rolling with a game on Good Friday where the home side came out on top by three goals to nil courtesy of Oscar Johnston, Tommy Scutt and Miles
Everett. The attendance just topped the three figure mark which was perhaps disappointing.
Moving to the Saturday, and Bashley (pictured main, above) will be playing Southern League football next season, after wrapping up the runners-up spot with a 4-0 victory at Christchurch. Matt Tubbs got the visitors off to the perfect start after just three minutes, before Liam Farrugia doubled their advantage going into the break. Harry Bunce and Lewis Ross added further strikes in the second half, prior to joyous scenes at the full-time whistle.
Hamworthy United finished their highly successful season with a best of three goals home victory over Fareham Town -goals from Lee Francis and Steve Devlin outweighing one from Siph Mdlalose – while Bashley celebrated their second place with a 4-0 win at Christchurch with Matt Tubbs, Liam Farrugia, Harry Bunce and Lewis Ross on target.
Shaftesbury, the leading scorers in the Division, added five more to their tally against Alton with the Brewers scoring twice in reply, Shaftesbury have had the wonderful knack all season of the goals being shared around and such was the case again with Asa Phillips, Luke Delaney, Sam Davidson, Greg Peel and Luke Burbidge on the scoresheet with Junior Kamara and Luke Perkins replying for the visitors.
Horndean ensured fourth place with a 3-0 win at Alresford thanks to Zack Willett, Karol Skoczen and Arty Kerton while AFC Stoneham leapfrogged Brockenhurst and took fifth place on goal difference thanks to strikes from Jake Thomson and Mat Bainbridge.
AFC Portchester completed their fine second half to the season with a 4-1 win over Portland with Rafa Ramos,
Liam Robinson, Sam Pearce and George Barker on target, Troy Walbridge replying for the visitors. And finally
last day success for three Clubs who have been in or around the relegation area all season.
Bournemouth won 3-1 at home to US Portsmouth with two goals from Kyle Graham and one from Marcus Cullen against one from Luke Slade, two goals from Filippos Terzidis and one from Stefan Williams gave Hythe & Dibden a 3-0 victory at Cowes Sports and a lone goal from Josh Moore against Blackfield & Langley enabled Amesbury to at least finish the season on a high note.
So, Bemerton’s day and having led the table at various times over the season they are worthy champions. Now
for the Play Offs as required by the FA.
Finally thanks to all who have provided information throughout the season for these pieces to be compiled
on Saturday evenings and occasionally very early on Sunday mornings, Greatly appreciated.
Main Article Photo: Les Chase (Christchurch v Bashley)
Second Photo: Steve Ross (Bemerton Heath Harlequins celebrate the Division One title)
