WEEKEND ROUND-UP - MARCH 26
The final Saturday in March, which tends to signify that the end of the season is approaching and nothing is really settled, especially in Division One.
Hamworthy United however, look increasingly likely to take the Premier Division crown and added three more points to their tally with a two one victory at Blackfield and Langley. George Over gave the home side the lead before goals from Cameron Munn and Harvey Wright turned the game in the visitors’ favour.
Bashley are in second spot and have opened up a four point gap on those behind them after a comprehensive five nil defeat of Fareham Town at Station Road in front of an attendance of 452, most of whom will have no doubt enjoyed a Matt Tubbs hat trick and two strikes from Adam Grange, all in the first half.
Third place Shaftesbury suffered their heaviest defeat of the season as they went down five one at home to AFC Portchester. The latter have been among the goals of late and five different scorers made a marked improvement to their goal difference. Sam Pearce, Felipe Barcelos, Lee Wort, George Barker and Archie Greenough were the marksmen with Aidan Shepherd getting a late consolation for the hosts.
Horndean returned to winning ways with a best of five goals win at Portland – the usual pairing of Connor Duffin (2) and Zak Willett claiming the goals with Portland’s credited to George Borthwick and an own goal – but Brockenhurst went down again, losing three two at AFC Stoneham (pictured). Scott Hills with two and Jim Orvis scored the home goals with Mitch Speechley Price and Addwell Chipangura replying and the win moves Stoneham in to the top five.
Alton scored twice late in the game through Rob Carr and Liam Knight to record a two nil victory at Baffins Milton Rovers and Alresford defeated Cowes Sports three one at Arlebury Park. Alfie Mahon with two and Sutcha Shepherd scored the home goals with Teddy Mumford notching the sole reply.
Bournemouth’s recent fine run came to a crashing halt as Hamble Club, ever inconsistent, won five one at Victoria Park with goals from Ryan Wilkins, Sanchez MaClean and Jamie Ovington adding to two from Kelvin Robinson before Nil Canadel scored a late consolation for the home side. The final game between US Portsmouth and Christchurch ended in a goalless draw.
In Division One it was a bad day for Andover New Street as they were the only side in the top five to not get at least one point after they went down to a three two home defeat to Newport. Connor Kelly, Joe Craig and Josh Younie scored the Port goals with Shane Lock and an own goal making up the Street double.
Just down the road Andover Town and Bemerton Heath shared two goals and the points – Ryan Griffiths and Harry Beckley on target – but no problems for Follands, the fifth member of the leading quartet. They defeated Millbrook, who have fallen away badly after a good start the season, nine nil at Hamble with seven different scorers. Connor Rowe and Nathan Gray both scored twice with Jake Long, Tremayne Moore, Gus Banhire, Ethan Anders and Matt Casey making up the nine and taking Follands past the one hundred League goals mark for the season.
There was a surprise defeat for Downton, one nil at home to a Sam Cant goal for East Cowes Vics and New Milton also suffered a home defeat, three two at the hands of Petersfield, Tyrell Sampson and Chris Long put the Linnets ahead in the first half before Petersfield scored three times to take the points. Unfortunately, they have not reported their scorers.
Ash United were guilty of the same “offence” following their welcome three nil win over Verwood Town while towards the other end of the County a late Ryan Hamm penalty, the only goal of the game, gave Ringwood Town the points against Whitchurch. In the game played on Friday evening Romsey won three one at bottom Club Totton and Eling courtesy of goals from Jack Odam, Craig Bryant and Aidan Shephard, the only consolation for the Millers being a gate of around two hundred.
So, Hamworthy United and Bemerton still lead the way - but in Division One especially there is still some way to go.
Article Photo: Steve Ross (AFC Stoneham celebrate in their 3-2 victory over Brockenhurst)
