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Action from the Ringwood Town versus Ash United game on Saturday that produced a seven goal thriller with the visitors winning by the odd goal.
Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 1 of 27
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of your Newsletter, if you have any contribution, please get in touch at - [email protected] . Keep up to date with all the news from around the League by following us on Twitter at - @nls_wessex You are more than welcome to use any material (excluding attributed photographs) but it would be appreciated if any material used is acknowledged. It is hoped you enjoy reading this each week. With readership quite widespread, not only within our own competition, but across the three counties and beyond- if ANY club has anything they’d like to have published in here, whether that be a request for helpers, promotion of forthcoming events, items required or available for sale please contact the Newsletter Editor. As a general reminder- Match Reports, player news and photos are always welcome- it is your Newsletter!
Just a note and reminder to Clubs that Phase 2 of the Premier League Defibrillator Fund is live. Our member teams are now eligible – meaning they can now apply for a free AED if they don’t currently have one and own/operate a facility. Direct communications went to clubs via the Foundation. All the info about the fund can be found here: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/premier-league- defibrillator- fund Clubs are reminded under our League Directives that the above advert plus the MJM Sports one and that for Voice FM (below) must appear in each programme that they publish. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 2 of 27 Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 3 of 27 CAN YOU HEAR ME ? The Wessex Football League Show is the official podcast of the Wessex Football League. We’re on air live from the 103.9 Voice FM studios in Southampton from 14:00 to 16:00 every Sunday and you can also listen live on www.voicefmradio.co.uk from anywhere in the world. You can listen again afterwards, normally just one hour after the show has finished via the same website and there is also a Voice FM App you can download to your Phone I-Pad or Computer device. Our aim is to promote all local football but specifically the 41 teams of the Wessex Football League. So far, we have had managers, chairpersons, players, press officers and secretaries joining us as studio guests, via zoom and phone guests; from many Wessex Football League clubs, as well as guests from local teams both higher up and lower down the pyramid. This is your show and is a platform for your club to promote its events and raise its profile. If your club produces post-match interviews, please either email us a copy of the audio or give permission for us to play them on air straight from your website or social media sites, as we will aim to play them on the show. Please come and join us one Sunday, we do have access to the two studios so it is easy to accommodate guests in the studio, but please email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 4 of 27 STAT ATTACK LEADING GOALSCORERS- LEAGUE GAMES ONLY PREMIER DIVISION DIVISION ONE Silvano Obeng Brockenhurst 6 Luke Hooper Andover New Street 8 John McKie Cowes Sports 5 Clayd Roach Folland Sports 8 Matt Neale Hamworthy United 5 Justin Bennett Bemerton Heath H’quins 7 Asa Phillips Shaftesbury 5 [two on] 6 Details are based on clubs being up to date with records on Full Time at time of going to press and or may not include League goals from this weekend. PREMIER DIVISION Top three league attendances Baffins Milton Rovers v Moneyfields 503 18 August AFC Portchester v Fareham Town 502 17 August Bashley v Christchurch 315 3 August DIVISION ONE Top three league attendances Andover Town v Andover New Street 369 17 August Downton v Newport IOW 192 28 August Whitchurch United v Andover New Street 186 3 August LEAGUE GOALS COUNT – THIS WEEK Premier Division 43 Division One 41 PREMIER DIVISION DIVISION ONE Sharpest Attack Meanest Defence Sharpest Attack Meanest Defence Shaftesbury 14 Horndean 0 Bemerton Heath H’quins 18 [four on] 7 [three on] 12 Baffins Milton Rovers 2 Folland Sports 18 Bashley 2 Newport IOW 18 COVID 19 GUIDANCE UPDATE Bob Purkiss is the League’s Covid-19 Coordinator, supported by Nick Spencer, Roger Allen, Ian Harley and Greg Dickson, and in order to spread the workload, the various Board members are allocated clubs as seen below. Should you have any queries relating to Covid-19, please contact your respective Board member. Bob Purkiss Nick Spencer Christchurch Greg Dickson Blackfield & Langley Ash United Downton AFC Portchester Cowes Sports Alresford Town Hamworthy United AFC Stoneham East Cowes Victoria Alton Laverstock & Ford Baffins Milton Rovers Fawley AFC Andover New Street Portland United Fareham Town Hythe & Dibden Andover Town Roger Allen Folland Sports Infinity Fleet Spurs Bashley Hamble Club Millbrook Whitchurch United Brockenhurst Horndean Newport IOW Ian Harley New Milton Town Moneyfields Romsey Town Amesbury Town Ringwood Town Petersfield Town Totton & Eling Bemerton Heath Shaftesbury U S Portsmouth Bournemouth Verwood Town The Wessex League applauds the decision taken by the Premier League and EFL to collectively support all players, managers and individuals who wish to take the knee ahead of matches this season. Taking the knee is an individual choice that many players wish to make as a way of peacefully demonstrating against racism, discrimination and injustice. Consequently, the Wessex League has no objection to players, match officials and technical area occupants taking the knee at their discretion. Home and away clubs that wish to do so must notify their opponents and match officials as part of the match confirmation process, and if players from one club do wish to take a knee their opponents are under no obligation to do likewise. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 5 of 27 CLUB REPRESENTATIVES It was agreed at the August Wessex League Board Meeting that each Club will be allocated a Club Rep who will liaise with each Club and be available to offer assistance should the need arise. The allocations are shown below, and each Club Rep intends to visit their allocated Club in the near future to introduce themselves, if you don't know them already, and explain their role and how they can help. Aubrey Hodder Bill Moore Greg Dickson Tony Seve Bashley Alresford Town AFC Stoneham AFC Portchester Bournemouth Alton Andover New Street Baffins Milton Rovers Brockenhurst Amesbury Town Andover Town Cowes Sports Christchurch Ash United Blackfield & Langley East Cowes Vics Hamworthy United Bemerton Heath Harlequins Fawley AFC Fareham Town New Milton Town Downton Hamble Club Follands Sports Portland United Fleet Spurs Hythe & Dibden Horndean Ringwood Town Laverstock & Ford Infinity Moneyfields Romsey Town Petersfield Town Millbrook AFC Newport IOW Shaftesbury Whitchurch United Totton & Eling US Portsmouth Verwood Town ROADWORKS AND PARKING Clubs are advised of some overnight road closures on the M27 from 21:00 to 06:00 Monday to Friday only on the following dates- 23 August to 21 September (Junctions 11 to 12 eastbound) – but not the bank holiday weekend. Then 21 September to 19 October (Junctions 12 to 11 westbound). During the closures, a signed diversion will be in place via the A27. A further reminder as regards parking at Brockenhurst, the overflow car park in the office block next door to the ground is no longer available for use on match days. This means the car parking has been cut in half from about 60 spaces to about 30 and also means the current car park will not be able to accept any spectators. Even then with only availability open to officials, players and sponsors it will still be difficult to fit in everyone. They would therefore ask if possible that visiting officials and players double up, treble up or more in their vehicles. If not, there is the likely possibility that they will have to use the central car park and walk back round to the main gate. In any event spectators will need to park there or find suitable on-street parking at the moment. That car park is free after 18:00 during the week but there is a charge at weekends for games with a 15:00 kick off. PROGRAMMES All programmes must contain the following adverts: MJM Sports, Voice FM and FA Respect as approved by the Board. These adverts can be downloaded from the league website but they may also be found in this Newsletter. It is a league requirement that clubs must produce a programme for each home game in the League and League Cup. Separate rules apply for the FA competitions and Senior County cups. Clubs can choose to either print their programme or have an online version but may not alternate. Please note that all online programmes must be submitted to Mike Robins the League Media Officer at [email protected] 24 hours prior to kick-off. At time of writing only eleven clubs have advised of using the online method, and of those a couple have already declined to supply their effort as required under League guidelines. Teams said to be issuing on line only this season are- AFC Stoneham, Andover New Street, Bashley, Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Blackfield & Langley, Brockenhurst, East Cowes Victoria, Fareham Town, Hamble, Ringwood Town and Whitchurch United. The programme competition will run again this season, clubs will be advised of two dates in the season when printed programmes are to be submitted to an address as notified, these are the only [two] programmes that will be used for judging purposes, late entries or (unagreed) alternative ones will not be accepted, so there is no need to waste postage in such instances. Thanks in advance for your cooperation, good luck. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 6 of 27 FIXTURES Monday August 30th 2021 Tuesday September 7th 2021 Division One Wessex League Cup 1st Round East Cowes Vics v Newport IoW New Milton Town v Totton & Eling Tuesday August 31st 2021 Premier Division Hampshire Senior Cup 1st Round AFC Stoneham v Cowes Sports AFC Portchester v Infinity Alresford Town v U.S. Portsmouth Alton v Totton & Eling Alton v AFC Portchester Blackfield & Langley v Bashley Bashley v Blackfield & Langley Wessex League Cup 1st Round Bournemouth v Portland United Ash United v Fleet Spurs Brockenhurst v Shaftesbury Petersfield Town v Hamble Club Hamble Club v Fareham Town U.S. Portsmouth v Bournemouth Horndean v Moneyfields Wessex League Cup 2nd Round Hythe & Dibden v Hamworthy United Cowes Sports v Andover New Street Wednesday September 8th 2021 Portland United v Romsey Town Wessex League Cup 2nd Round Ringwood Town v Brockenhurst Baffins Milton Rovers v Infinity Shaftesbury v Millbrook Premier Division Premier Division Christchurch v Amesbury Town Horndean v Amesbury Town Thursday September 9th 2021 Wednesday September 1st 2021 Hampshire Senior Cup 1st Round Wessex League Cup 1st Round Horndean v Royal Navy F.A. Fawley AFC v Verwood Town Friday September 10th 2021 Folland Sports v Hythe & Dibden Division One Wessex League Cup 2nd Round Laverstock & Ford v Downton Whitchurch United v Christchurch Saturday September 11th 2021 Saturday September 4th 2021 Buildbase F.A. Vase 1st Qualifying Round Emirates F.A. Cup 1st Round Qualifying AFC Portchester v Romsey Town Alton v Sholing AFC Stoneham v Portland United Blackfield & Langley v Wimborne Town Amesbury Town v Andover New Street Highworth Town v Shaftesbury Ash United v Hythe & Dibden Longlevens v Alresford Town Baffins Milton Rovers v Andover Town Merthyr Town v Hamworthy United Calne Town v Whitchurch United Premier Division Cowes Sports v Bournemouth Baffins Milton Rovers v Portland United Folland Sports v Corsham Town Bournemouth v AFC Portchester Horndean v Hamble Club Brockenhurst v Hamble Club Millbrook v Shaftesbury Christchurch v Moneyfields Moneyfields v Totton & Eling Cowes Sports v Amesbury Town Petersfield Town v Bashley Horndean v AFC Stoneham Ringwood Town v Bridport Hythe & Dibden v Fareham Town Sherborne Town v Verwood Town U.S. Portsmouth v Bashley Westbury United v Alresford Town Division One Wick v Alton Andover New Street v East Cowes Vics Premier Division Ash United v Downton Brockenhurst v Blackfield & Langley Fawley AFC v New Milton Town Christchurch v Fareham Town Folland Sports v Fleet Spurs Hamworthy United v U.S. Portsmouth Laverstock & Ford v Romsey Town Division One Millbrook v Andover Town Bemerton Heath Harlequins v East Cowes Vics Petersfield Town v Bemerton Heath Harlequins Infinity v Fawley AFC Totton & Eling v Ringwood Town Newport IoW v New Milton Town Verwood Town v Newport IoW Spare: Fleet Spurs Whitchurch United v Infinity Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 7 of 27 Tuesday September 14th 2021 *Provisional date Wessex League Cup 2nd Round Saturday September 25th 2021 Hamworthy United v Bemerton Heath Harlequins Buildbase F.A. Vase 2nd Qualifying Round Hampshire Senior Cup 2nd Round Premier Division AFC Portchester/Infinity v New Milton Town Fareham Town v U.S. Portsmouth AFC Stoneham v Hamble Club Tuesday September 28th 2021 Alresford Town v AFC Totton Premier Division Andover Town v Hythe & Dibden AFC Portchester v Horndean Blackfield & Langley/Bashley v Newport IoW AFC Stoneham v Hamble Club Cowes Sports v AFC Bournemouth Alton v Blackfield & Langley East Cowes Vics v Eastleigh Bashley v Hythe & Dibden Fareham Town v Alton/Totton & Eling Bournemouth v Amesbury Town Moneyfields v Lymington Town Fareham Town v Christchurch Romsey Town v Horndean/Royal Navy F.A. Hamworthy United v Alresford Town Wednesday September 15th 2021 Moneyfields v U.S. Portsmouth Hampshire Senior Cup 2nd Round Portland United v Brockenhurst Baffins Milton Rovers v Hartley Wintney Wednesday September 29th 2021 Saturday September 18th 2021 Premier Division Premier Division Baffins Milton Rovers v Cowes Sports AFC Portchester v AFC Stoneham Spare: Shaftesbury Alresford Town v Baffins Milton Rovers Saturday October 2nd 2021 Amesbury Town v Bashley Premier Division Blackfield & Langley v Bournemouth AFC Stoneham v Fareham Town Brockenhurst v Moneyfields Alton v Bashley Fareham Town v Alton Amesbury Town v Baffins Milton Rovers Hamble Club v Hythe & Dibden Christchurch v AFC Portchester Hamworthy United v Horndean Cowes Sports v Portland United Portland United v U.S. Portsmouth Hamble Club v Hamworthy United Shaftesbury v Christchurch Horndean v Blackfield & Langley Spare Cowes Sports Hythe & Dibden v Moneyfields Division One Shaftesbury v Alresford Town Andover New Street v Petersfield Town U.S. Portsmouth v Bournemouth Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Folland Sports Spare: Brockenhurst Downton v Fawley AFC Division One Fleet Spurs v Totton & Eling Andover Town v New Milton Town Infinity v Andover Town Ash United v East Cowes Vics Millbrook v Laverstock & Ford Downton v Totton & Eling New Milton Town v Whitchurch United Fawley AFC v Andover New Street Romsey Town v Ringwood Town Fleet Spurs v Newport IoW Verwood Town v Ash United Folland Sports v Infinity Spare: East Cowes Vics, Newport IoW Laverstock & Ford v Verwood Town Tuesday September 21st 2021 Petersfield Town v Millbrook Wessex League Cup 1st Round Ringwood Town v Bemerton Heath Harlequins East Cowes Vics v Alton Whitchurch United v Romsey Town Horndean v Newport IoW Tuesday October 5th 2021 Wessex League Cup 2nd Round Premier Division AFC Portchester v Laverstock & Ford Blackfield & Langley v Fareham Town Andover Town v Bashley Brockenhurst v Alton Blackfield & Langley v Moneyfields Hythe & Dibden v AFC Portchester Premier Division U.S. Portsmouth v Horndean Alresford Town v Hamble Club Saturday October 9th 2021 U.S. Portsmouth v Baffins Milton Rovers Premier Division Wednesday September 22nd 2021 Alresford Town v AFC Stoneham Division One Baffins Milton Rovers v Horndean *Fawley AFC v Millbrook Bashley v Hamble Club Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 8 of 27 Blackfield & Langley v Shaftesbury Hamble Club v Amesbury Town Bournemouth v Moneyfields Hamworthy United v Cowes Sports Brockenhurst v Amesbury Town U.S. Portsmouth v Shaftesbury Christchurch v Cowes Sports Spare: Hythe & Dibden Hamworthy United v AFC Portchester Division One Portland United v Alton Andover Town v Ringwood Town U.S. Portsmouth v Hythe & Dibden Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Infinity Spare: Fareham Town Downton v Laverstock & Ford Division One Fawley AFC v Ash United Andover New Street v Folland Sports Fleet Spurs v Whitchurch United Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Whitchurch United Millbrook v Folland Sports Downton v Petersfield Town Newport IoW v Andover New Street East Cowes Vics v Laverstock & Ford Petersfield Town v Verwood Town Fleet Spurs v Fawley AFC Romsey Town v East Cowes Vics Infinity v Ringwood Town Totton & Eling v New Milton Town Millbrook v Ash United Tuesday October 26th 2021 New Milton Town v Newport IoW Premier Division Romsey Town v Andover Town AFC Portchester v U.S. Portsmouth Verwood Town v Totton & Eling AFC Stoneham v Baffins Milton Rovers Saturday October 16th 2021 Amesbury Town v Alresford Town Premier Division Bashley v Brockenhurst AFC Portchester v Alresford Town Bournemouth v Christchurch AFC Stoneham v U.S. Portsmouth Cowes Sports v Fareham Town Amesbury Town v Alton Horndean v Alton Blackfield & Langley v Brockenhurst Hythe & Dibden v Blackfield & Langley Cowes Sports v Bashley Moneyfields v Hamble Club Fareham Town v Bournemouth Shaftesbury v Hamworthy United Horndean v Hythe & Dibden Spare: Portland United Moneyfields v Hamworthy United Saturday October 30th 2021 Portland United v Christchurch Premier Division Shaftesbury v Baffins Milton Rovers Alresford Town v Moneyfields Spare: Hamble Club Alton v Hythe & Dibden Division One Baffins Milton Rovers v Bashley Andover Town v Fleet Spurs Blackfield & Langley v AFC Portchester Ash United v Romsey Town Christchurch v AFC Stoneham Fawley AFC v Verwood Town Fareham Town v Shaftesbury Folland Sports v New Milton Town Hamble Club v Brockenhurst Infinity v Downton Hamworthy United v Bournemouth Laverstock & Ford v Andover New Street Portland United v Amesbury Town Newport IoW v Millbrook U.S. Portsmouth v Cowes Sports Ringwood Town v Petersfield Town Spare: Horndean Totton & Eling v Bemerton Heath Harlequins Division One Whitchurch United v East Cowes Vics Andover New Street v Millbrook Saturday October 23rd 2021 Ash United v Newport IoW Premier Division East Cowes Vics v Downton Alresford Town v Bournemouth Folland Sports v Laverstock & Ford Alton v AFC Stoneham Infinity v Romsey Town Baffins Milton Rovers v AFC Portchester New Milton Town v Bemerton Heath Harlequins Bashley v Portland United Petersfield Town v Whitchurch United Brockenhurst v Horndean Ringwood Town v Fleet Spurs Christchurch v Blackfield & Langley Totton & Eling v Fawley AFC Fareham Town v Moneyfields Verwood Town v Andover Town Please note that fixtures are liable to alteration or postponement at little or no notice. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 9 of 27 MIDWEEK RESULTS Tuesday 24 August 2021 Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay AFC Portchester 1-3 Blackfield & Langley 292 Kieran Roberts 27 pen Harvey-Joe Bertrand 20 Fawzi Saadi 21 Ali Zintany 58 Alton 3-0 Bradford Town 316 Rich Hunter 15 George Bowerman 52, 90+1 Hampshire Senior Cup 1st Round Alresford Town 1-0 Tadley Calleva First 32 Sam Vidler Andover Town 4-2 Folland Sports 116 Michael Owen Jo Sutherden Luke Adams [2] Fabio Manuel Josh Bertie Bournemouth 1-2 Fleet Town 71 Pepechino Smith Brad Passfield Elliot Amadieu Brockenhurst 1-2 Baffins Milton Rovers 106 Jack Smith 80 Callum Smith 13 Billy Connor 32 Cove 1-5 Newport (IOW) [*] Louis Chambers Jacob Reynolds Connor Kelly Jared Cousins Josh Younie Joe Butcher Cowes Sports 5-3 Christchurch [*] Connor Furmidge 35 River Smith John McKie 43, 77 pen, 79, 90 Sam Chilman Ethan Maddocks East Cowes Victoria 1-1 Fawley AFC [*] [4-3 on penalties] Declan Hartigan Jimmi Burton Eversley & California 1-0 United Services Portsmouth [*] Reece Buckett 88 Hamble Club 2-1 Whitchurch United [*] Curtis Griffin 51 Nick Yeomans 1 pen Drew Smith 90 Hythe & Dibden 3-1 Fleet Spurs 78 Ethan Cheshire 54, 78 Sam Knowles 59 pen OG 65 Moneyfields 2-0 Andover New Street 91 Danny Burroughs 21 Josh Bailey 80 New Milton Town 2-2 Millbrook 85 Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 10 of 27 [4-2 on penalties] Perry Harding 28 Chris Long 57,61 Callum Drake 37 Ringwood Town 2-3 AFC Stoneham 34 Harry Smith 69 Callum Laycock 42 Joss Holford 90+5 Mat Bainbridge 62 Jacob Gilpin 90+1 pen Romsey Town 2-1 Petersfield Town 97 Ollie Jenkins Alex Yates 2 Jack Odam Wessex League Cup 1st Round Amesbury Town 0-1 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 119 Josh Moore 74 [*] - details not supplied by club MIDWEEK MATCH REPORTS TUESDAY 24 AUGUST – EMIRATES FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND REPLAY – Alton 3-0 Bradford Town The largest crowd seen at Anstey Park for some years witnessed a thoroughly entertaining and competitive FA Cup replay on Tuesday night writes Dave Hawtin. In the first couple of minutes of the game the visitors lost a defender to injury, with no challenger near him he landed awkwardly making a clearance and after a significant delay was stretchered off of the field of play. Much like the first game, this game was also played at a furious pace in the early stages and the visitors were dominant in possession without be able to create a clear cut chance as the home defence stood firm. As Alton grew into the game they took the lead after 15 minutes, the ball was cleared to the edge of the box where Ritchie HUNTER crashed a right foot half volley in off the right hand post into the back of the net. Bradford got straight back at Alton and Matt Graham got a very important touch to a cross to the back post where a striker would have had a simple header from close range, fortunately the offside flag would also have saved the home side. Both sides got forward as often as possible as the game ebbed and flowed and the wide players in both teams were getting early ball into both boxes. The visitors had a real purple patch late in the first half and the home defence did well to block a fierce free kick from the edge of the box and then Henry Woodcock made a stunning safe when he tipped a shot from 25 yards onto the crossbar And the home defenders cleared the danger. A frantic half of football. HT 1-0 Alton started the second half on the front foot and got the second goal on 52 minutes. Bradford were unable to clear a corner properly and when the ball fell to Scott Sanderson on the edge of the box, he avoided two challenges before rolling the ball square to George BOWERMAN who passed the ball into the net from 18 yards to the delight of the home crowd. This now allowed the home side to control the game and during goods spells of possession they were able to create some really good chances to finish the game off as a contest. Ollie Graham slipped Bowerman through one on one with keeper who did well to block with his legs, repeating something he had done well over the two games, Jack Fowler burst past three defenders on the left and crashed a shot off of the crossbar and Alton pressed. At no stage did Bradford accept defeat they continued to pass the ball well and they remained a threat but the home defence stood up well and when an opportunity arose the ball seemed to run for them rather than the visitors. On 90 minutes the home side scored again, Fowler and Ed Dryden took the ball into the corner to keep possession and engaged a group of visiting defenders, between the two of them they created a crossing opportunity and Dryden delivered a delicious cross to the back post where BOWERMAN headed home from 6 yards. FT 3-0 This was a really was a competitive contest played in a good spirit over the two games Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 11 of 27 TUESDAY 24 AUGUST – HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP 1ST ROUND – Hythe & Dibden 3-1 Fleet Spurs Another day, another visit to a hospitable club. It was a pleasure for Spurs to return to the Hythe Garage Stadium after a long gap and to be met with a welcome that befitted long-lost friends writes John Porter. The background to the game was that both of these Wessex League teams have similar predicaments. Each has lost well-established players and taken on new managers, who have had to create new squads from scratch, and have not yet had adequate time to develop them to the required levels. The results so far emphasise their problems – neither of them has yet gained any points this season. The result of this game was as expected: Hythe, the Premier side, overcame Division 1 Fleet, but not until the visitors had put up a valiant struggle. The first half-hour was very even, with both sides playing constructive football but foundering on resolute defences with the two Sams – veteran ex-striker Knowles and young Met Police loanee Imode – prominent for the visitors. At that stage, it was not immediately apparent to an impartial observer which team play at the higher level, but as half-time approached, the hosts began to get on top, and Spurs’ keeper Jack Coleman was forced into some fine saves. The half-time score of 0-0 was a reasonable reflection of play, though even the visiting supporters admitted that the home team had shaded the half. HT 0-0 After the break, the difference between the levels of the sides began to show more clearly, and in the 54th minute, Hythe took the lead, striker Ethan CHESHIRE converting a low cross from the left with a spectacular volley. Would the floodgates now open? Well, not immediately. Certainly the home side continued to have the bulk of possession, but four minutes later, and against the run of play, Spurs equalised. A home defender handled the ball following a harmless-looking free-kick into the box and KNOWLES fired home a powerful shot from the spot giving young keeper Conor Manderson no chance. Equality was not to last long, as six minutes later Fleet defender Lee Bush at the far post could only head the ball into the top of his own net following an in swinging left-wing corner. Quarter of an hour before the end, CHESHIRE made the game safe for the hosts, wrong-footing Coleman and completing the scoring with a low shot. FT 3-1 Congratulations to Hythe & Dibden on their victory, and Fleet wish them the best of luck to them in the later rounds of the competition. Their opponents in the next round are Andover Town, whom they visit on 14 September. TUESDAY 24 AUGUST – HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP 1ST ROUND – Hamble Club 2-1 Whitchurch United Not particularly inspiring stuff, but a good comeback by the Monks against a solid visiting side. The hosts conceded a first minute penalty but turned it round with a 30-yard thunderbolt and an injury-time header from a corner, writes Paul Harris. The game started explosively as the Jam Boys' very first attack saw George fouled while about to shoot. YEOMANS dispatched the penalty powerfully to out his side ahead. George tried a long shot soon after that, which was fumbled by home keeper Martin, but he managed to gather the ball again. Bishop also had a shot over the bar as the visitors started very brightly. The home team gradually got into the game, and a good move saw the ball passed to Terzidis whose long shot grazed the bar on the way over. The home team had more possession but the visitors looked dangerous on the break - a dodgy back pass was just cleared by Martin, but Randall returned it quickly and forced the keeper to make a decent save. The Monks were struggling to break down the visiting defence, and nearly conceded again as Martin lost the ball from a corner and Yeomans and George appeared to get in each other's way, the latter firing over. At the other end a good Hamble move saw the ball reach Timmins on the left of the area, but he shot over the bar. Soon after this the home team had a shout for a penalty for a foul in the box, but the ref waved play on. HT 0-1. Much the same after the break - the hosts had more of the ball, but only a header over the bar from Crooks to show for it, until the 57th minute when GRIFFIN picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and found the top corner with an unstoppable shot - completely out of the blue. It was a goal the game needed and the visitors came forward more and tried to retake the lead with a couple of shots on goal, both easily saved. Home substitute Hunt had made a difference when coming on at half-time, and he then produced a dangerous curling corner, which Bloomfield had to head off the line at the far post. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 12 of 27 The Jam Boys then had a good break where George set up Yeomans for a shot which he was unlucky to see come off the post. It looked like going to penalties after efforts by Terzidis and George both missed the target, but in the second minute of injury time a twice-taken corner found SMITH, who headed in the winner. FT 2-1 The visitors can count themselves unlucky after a good performance, but this was a satisfying win fir the hosts after losing 0-7 at Horndean on Saturday. TUESDAY 24 AUGUST – HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP 1ST ROUND – Romsey Town 2-1 Petersfield Town It was a delightful evening at Romsey where the 2021/22 Hampshire Senior Cup campaign got under way in the more traditional manner with a first round tie in August. The holders are AFC Bournemouth who were the 2019/20 winners, the final taking place deep into the next campaign and, of course, we know why writes Gary Day. Romsey had a pre-match problem, losing Craig Bryant in the warm-up and Pearce Farren became a starter. The visiting Rams lived up to their nickname by ‘ramming’ the ball into the Romsey net with the minutes having just ticked into two. It was a fine goal as well, a delightful passing move through the inside right channel, the ball was then played into the box, where Newbury’s shot was well blocked by a home defender but it fell to YATES who struck it well and into goal via the inside of the post. Undeterred by this early concession, Romsey set out to get back into it and for a while they posed only a mild threat to the Rams’ defence. However, they won a corner in the 21st minute and Jenkins’ delivery was pin- pointed to Hancock but as he headed it from close range, somehow keeper Jackson got an acrobatic vital touch to force it against the bar and produce a first class save. As Romsey continued to knock at the door Magee’s effort was held by Jackson. A Romsey equaliser looked a distinct possibility, and it came after 31 minutes. Like their opponents’ goal earlier, this was also a good move, the ball coming in from the left and Odam’s fine slotted pass put JENKINS behind the Rams’ defensive line and he coolly took it past Jackson and slotted home. This was no more than Romsey deserved at that point. Petersfield came close to retaking the lead at the very end of the first half when Newbury was put in on the keeper but his shot cannoned off Valero’s legs and away to safety. HT 1-1. Petersfield sub Chipps just cleared the Romsey bar with his first piece of the action but, soon after, Romsey edged ahead. A fine ball by Farren put ODAM clear and their skipper delightfully placed it over the advancing Jackson and into the net. It was almost three just after when Prisk took a neat return pass from Odam but the diving Jackson kept out his shot. As expected, the Rams had an attacking spell but when Akoman-Ehikpa headed across, Chipps nodded over from close range. Valero was called into action, flinging himself off to his left to parry a lunging Carter header. Romsey managed the game quite well in the latter stages as Petersfield’s attacks receded, the best they could muster was a distant Carter effort that failed to trouble Valero. FT 2-1. It was an interesting game, well contested too and a fair result on the day. This prestigious cup was completed during World War II, then survived during the big freeze of 1963 and the torrential rains in 2001 but, like many others, not the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, great to have it back and it’s Romsey who appear in Round 2. TUESDAY 24 AUGUST – HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP 1ST ROUND – Andover Town 4-2 Folland Sports Andover Town took a break from their League Campaign with the visit of Folland Sports in the First Round of the Hampshire Senior Cup at the Portway on Tuesday evening writes John Gorman. Follands are, like Town, in Division One of the Wessex League and have commenced the season with four consecutive victories giving them twelve points out of twelve. The home side started the brighter with a Josh Bertie shot blocked and crosses from Ben Emans and Tom Pattison causing difficulty for the visiting defence before a good advantage played by the referee allowed Emans to make ground on the left, but there were no takers in the middle for the cross. Follands first attack of note should have seen them take the lead when Jamie Craven broke through only for home keeper Jack Hopwood to push the ball round the post. A good save but also a chance missed. However, the next attack, after twelve minutes, was successful as Clayd Roach cleverly controlled a ball on the right and his low cross was side footed home by Jo SUTHERDEN. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 13 of 27 A neat three man move made space for another Pattison cross but again there were no blue shirts on the box before just four minutes after going in front Follands had a golden chance to double their advantage. The pace of their front runners was causing difficulties for the home defence and when Sutherden broke clear, the tackle was from behind and there were few arguments over the penalty award. Sutherden picked himself up and drove the spot kick to Hopgood’s right but the keeper guessed correctly and plunged to turn the ball to safety, the second game in a row that he has saved a penalty. Tom Pattison saw a header saved and Emans was too high before Town levelled the scores on the half hour mark. Emans again broke down the left, pulled the ball back from the bye line and Michael OWEN fired across the keeper and low in to the bottom corner of the net. Both sides conjured further chances but halftime came with the scores still level. HT 1-1 As in the first half the home side started the stronger but again it was Follands who scored first with the half only four minutes old and there was a touch of fortune about the goal. Fabio MANUEL hoisted the ball in from somewhere near the corner flag and it cleared everybody, including the goalkeeper, and landed inside the far post. The visiting attack had lost its potency from the opening half and Town gradually gained the advantage and a plausible shout for a penalty when Emans went down was denied with, in fairness, the referee very well placed. The usual procession of second half substitutes began and a change for Andover just after the halfway point almost instantly bore fruit with the introduction of Luke ADAMS as he battled his way through two challenges and beat keeper Hixon from the edge of the area. Then followed a couple of minutes the game could have done without. There was a bad challenge by a Follands player close to the dugouts, players on both sides reacted – including sadly the visiting substitutes - before common sense and the referee cooled things down. After discussion with his Assistant the referee showed a red card to James Johnson for the challenge and to Andover’s Musah Stamburi - presumably for his part in the fracas – and a further yellow card apiece to both sides. Bertie was just wide from an Emans cross before the home side’s second half domination saw them take the lead for the first time with ten minutes left. The ball was delivered diagonally into the area from the left and ADAMS got across his marker to head home with the keeper in no man’s land having started to come for the cross, With stoppage time approaching Town made the game safe with a fourth goal. A quickly taken free kick by Owen Trapnell caught the visiting defence on their heels and BERTIE, unchallenged, slotted the ball past, or through, the advancing keeper to ensure it was Andover who went through to the Second Round. FT 4-2 Overall, it was a fair result to an enjoyable game that was marred by a couple minutes of foolishness in the second half. Follands showed in the opening 45 minutes why they have made a good start to the season but lost their way after the break and will no doubt be rueing the penalty miss. Town did it the hard way, coming twice from behind, and will now entertain Premier Division Hythe & Dibden in the next round. And Town and Follands met again at the Portway yesterday in the League! MIDWEEK ROUNDUP A crowded programme on Tuesday with an evening given over to Cup fixtures and not a Wessex League match in sight. Firstly two Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round replays, the results of which took the number of Wessex League sides in the First Qualifying Round to five. AFC Portchester and Blackfield & Langley shared two goals on the Waterside on Saturday but the replay belonged to very much to Blackfield with goals from Harvey-Joe Bertrand, Fawzi Saadi and Ali Zintany giving them a 3-1 victory and a home tie with Wimborne Town in the next round. Kieran Roberts scored the consolation for the home side. Alton produced a very creditable result in a one all draw at Bradford Town at the weekend but topped that with an emphatic 3-0 victory at the Enclosure in front of an attendance that exceeded 300. George Bowerman with two and Richie Hunter scored the goals that has earned them a visit from Sholing on the next step along the FA Cup trail. There was one tie in the First Round of the Wessex League Cup, Division One Bemerton Heath making the short journey to Premier Division Amesbury Town where a lone Josh Moore goal sent the visitors in to the next round. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 14 of 27 The bulk of the evening’s fixtures were in Round One of the Hampshire Senior Cup and in the North East of the County Alresford renewed acquaintance with Tadley Calleva and progressed with a goal from Sam Vidler, the only one of the game. At the Portway Follands suffered their first defeat of the season as Andover Town twice came from behind to win 4-2 with goals from Luke Adams (2), Michael Owen and Josh Bertie for the home side and Jo Sutherden and Fabio Manuel for Follands who also missed a penalty. Fleet Town returned to Wessex League soil with a trip to Bournemouth and journeyed home with a best of three goals victory- Pepe Smith for the Poppies – and there was a similar scoreline at Brockenhurst with Baffins Milton Rovers coming out on top, Jack Smith for the Badgers and Billy Connor and Callum Smith for Baffins. Newport made the long trip to Farnborough and scored five goals for the third consecutive game with Combined Counties side Cove on the receiving end of strikes from Jacob Reynolds, Connor Kelly, Jared Cousins, Josh Younie and Joe Butcher. Near neighbours Cowes Sports also scored five in a goal filled game at Westwood Park with visitors Christchurch notching three in reply. John McKie claimed the individual scoring honours for the evening with four goals added to one from Connor Furmidge whilst River Smith, Sam Chilman and Ethan Maddock replied for the Hurn Bridge side. Still on the Island, East Cowes Vics and Fawley drew one all at Beatrice Avenue – Jimmi Burton and Declan Hartigan respectively – but the home side came out four three victors in the penalty shoot-out. These last two ties mean that in the next Round Cowes will host AFC Bournemouth and Vics will have Eastleigh as visitors. Hopefully common sense will ensure the two ties are not played on the same night. US Portsmouth also travelled north to meet Combined Counties opposition and went down 1-0 to Eversley & California, who are based near Yateley. Hamble Club conceded seven on Saturday and got off to the worse possible start at home against Division One Whitchurch, conceding a penalty in the first minute that was converted by Nick Yeomans. Curtis Griffin levelled the scores but it was second half stoppage time before Drew Smith netted the winner for the Premier Division side. Two clubs yet to gain a point in the League, Hythe & Dibden and Fleet Spurs, met at Hythe and it was the home side who came out on top by three goals to one against their Division One opponents. Ethan Cheshire scored twice for Hythe, who also benefitted from an own goal, with a Sam Knowles penalty in reply for the visitors. Andover New Street travelled to Portsmouth and found Moneyfields too strong, goals from Danny Burroughs and Josh Bailey giving the Premier Division side a 2-0 victory, whilst the tie at New Milton was the second of the evening to be settled by “kicks from the penalty mark” as the FA like to describe penalty shoot outs. Chris Long hit a double for the home side and Perry Harding and Callum Drake for visitors Millbrook meaning the scores were level after ninety minutes, but it was the home side who went through after four successful spot kicks against Millbrook’s two. AFC Stoneham, another looking to bounce back from an FA Cup defeat, journeyed down the A31 to Ringwood and went through by the odd goal in five – Harry Smith and Joss Holford for the home side and Callum Laycock, Mat Bainbridge and Jacob Gilpin for the Southampton based visitors. The last tie was at the Bypass Ground between two Division One sides with Romsey defeating visitors Petersfield by the odd goal in three. Oliver Jenkins and Jack Odam on the mark for Romsey with Alex Yates claiming the Rams consolation. Given that this is a midweek Competition there were some hefty journeys undertaken by some Clubs with Newport going to Farnborough, Fleet to Bournemouth, Fleet Spurs to Hythe and US Portsmouth to the Surrey/Hants border. Could there not be a case made for regionalising this round on a North/South basis. CLUB NEWS Brockenhurst are happy to announce that they have appointed a new Club Chairman this week after Ian Allan stood down due to work commitments. Ian had led the Club superbly in the last three Seasons, and whilst he will still be around the Club, they are grateful for what has been achieved in that time. On Monday they officially appointed Chris Panayi as the new Club Chairman and will be doing a press release in the coming weeks on Chris's appointment, welcome to the Wessex Chris. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 15 of 27 The draw for the Emirates FA Cup 1st Round Qualifying was made on Monday and threw out the following matches, somewhat disappointing that three of our teams were drawn away. Alton v Sholing Blackfield & Langley v Wimborne Town Highworth Town v Shaftesbury Longlevens v Alresford Town Merthyr Town v Hamworthy United Sholing of course beat Baffins Milton Rovers last time out, whilst Longlevens battled through a best of five contest with Chalfont St Peter. The draw sees Wimborne Town and Merthyr make their season debut and Highworth kicked off their campaign winning by the odd goal of three at Wantage on Friday 20th. Meanwhile and elsewhere, former clubs still with an interest see Poole Town pitched with Swindon Supermarine, Salisbury against Tiverton Town and Gosport Borough hosting Plymouth Parkway. Barnstaple Town came out of the hat first for their game and will face Lymington Town, and finally Fleet Town have home advantage over Hanwell Town. The games are scheduled for Saturday 4 September with a carrot of £2,250 dangling, and that leads quite nicely into the next few paragraphs- an early look at the EMIRATES FA CUP FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING. With three victories last Saturday and two more in the midweek replays, the Wessex League has five Clubs in the above and surprisingly there were no all-Wessex ties when the draw was announced. HAMWORTHY UNITED, after their win at Westbury, have to travel again and will play their first ever competitive game the other side of the Severn Bridge with their visit to Merthyr Town. The Welsh Club currently play in the Premier Division of the Southern League, two steps higher than the Wessex League, and cross swords with such as Wimborne, Poole, Salisbury and Gosport Borough. As this is written Merthyr have taken just one point from their three League games. SHAFTESBURY, following their six goals in the last round, have also been drawn away and journey to Highworth, near Swindon. Long-time members of the Hellenic League, Highworth were promoted to the Southern League Division One South four years ago and currently have one win and one defeat to their name this time round. They do have in their favour a pitch with a more than considerable slope from end to end and a wind that seemingly blows to order straight down the slope on matchdays. The third of Saturdays winners, ALRESFORD TOWN, will also be on the road with Longlevens their destination. Based on the outskirts of Gloucester, just off the ring road, they are members of the Hellenic League Premier Division with six points from three matches and this is only the sixth season in which they have entered the FA Cup and they were defeated by Portland United in the 2019/20 competition. BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY, having overcome AFC Portchester in a replay, now face Southern League Premier South Wimborne at Gang Warily. The visitors will start as favourites but will perhaps have in the back of their mind the memory of the meeting in the same Competition at the old Cuthbury in 2015/16 when the Wessex League side triumphed by six goals to one. And finally, ALTON backed up their draw at Bradford Town on Saturday with a convincing 3-0 win in the replay in front of over three hundred spectators and will now host Sholing in what could well be the first ever meeting between the two Clubs. Sholing won at Baffins Milton Rovers in the last round and it will need a giant killing act from Alton to progress. We wish all our five Clubs well. 2011-2012 Bournemouth 2 - 1 Newport IOW 2 Wessex wins Godalming Town 1 - 1 Moneyfields Hungerford Town 3 - 1 Horndean Sholing 2 - 1 Blackfield & Langley Whitchurch United 2 - 0 Brockenhurst Moneyfields 1 * 3 Godalming Town [replay] 2012-2013 Blackfield & Langley 4 - 0 Almondsbury UWE 3 Wessex wins Fareham Town 2 - 1 Christchurch Newport IOW 2 - 0 Horndean Totton & Eling 2 - 2 Weymouth Weymouth 3 * 0 Totton & Eling [replay] Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 16 of 27 2013-2014 Bashley 2 - 0 Moneyfields 3 Wessex wins Fareham Town 0 - 1 Weymouth Hallen 1 - 2 Hamworthy United Horndean 0 - 5 AFC Portchester Poole Town 2 - 0 Brockenhurst Sholing 4 - 0 AFC Totton Winchester City 1 - 2 Mangotsfield United 2014-2015 Blackfield & Langley 3 - 2 Sherborne Town 4 Wessex wins Horndean 0 - 1 Newport IOW Longwell Green Sports 0 - 1 Folland Sports Winchester City 3 - 0 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 2015-2016 Bideford 3 - 1 Hamworthy United 3 Wessex wins Bristol Manor Farm 0 - 3 AFC Portchester Brockenhurst 3 - 0 Mangotsfield United Cheltenham Saracens 1 - 2 Blackfield & Langley 2016-2017 Alresford Town 1 - 1 Fareham Town 2 Wessex wins Andover Town 0 - 5 Farnborough Basingstoke Town 4 - 0 Bemerton Heath Harlequins Bideford 1 - 2 AFC Portchester Brislington 5 - 2 Hamworthy United Chippenham Town 9 - 0 Moneyfields Sholing 0 - 2 Havant & Waterlooville Fareham Town 2 * 4 Alresford Town [replay] 2017-2018 AFC Portchester 1 - 0 Dorchester Town 1 Wessex win Andover Town 1 - 2 Cadbury Heath Hamworthy United 1 - 5 Thatcham Town Horndean 0 - 2 Bodmin Town 2018-2019 AFC Stoneham 0 - 7 Cirencester Town 2 Wessex wins Lymington Town 2 - 2 Lydney Town Margate 3 - 2 Horndean Shaftesbury 0 - 1 Poole Town Sholing 0 - 0 Hamworthy United Taunton Town 7 - 1 Bemerton Heath Harlequins Hamworthy United 0 * 1 Sholing [replay] Lydney Town 1 * 2 Lymington Town [replay] 2019-2020 Chesham United 4 - 2 Fleet Town 1 Wessex win Hythe & Dibden 2 - 4 Kidlington Longlevens 0 - 2 Portland United Weston-super-Mare 3 - 0 Fareham Town 2020-2021 Christchurch 2 - 1 Dorchester Town 1 Wessex win Cowes Sports 0 - 5 Weston-super-Mare Frome Town 4 - 1 AFC Stoneham Tadley Calleva 0 - 1 Truro City Next Saturday we have five Clubs competing in the 1st Round Qualifying which is the League’s best “return” for three seasons which is mainly due to Clubs from a higher level now entering the Competition at an earlier stage writes John Gorman. A look back over the last ten seasons (above) might not only tend to support that statement but may provoke some memories along the way. Hopefully this year all five will add to the wins. In the results above games teams in italic were not members of our League at the time. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 17 of 27 HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP 2021/22 – THE STORY SO FAR Alresford Town 1-0 Tadley Calleva Andover Town 4-2 Folland Sports FIRST Bournemouth 1-2 Fleet Town ROUND Brockenhurst 1-2 Baffins Milton Rovers Cove 1-5 Newport (IOW) Cowes Sports 5-3 Christchurch East Cowes Victoria 1-1 Fawley [4-3 on penalties] Eversley & California 1-0 United Services Portsmouth Hamble Club 2-1 Whitchurch United Hythe & Dibden 3-1 Fleet Spurs Moneyfields 2-0 Andover New Street New Milton Town 2-2 Millbrook [4-2 on penalties] Ringwood Town 2-3 AFC Stoneham Romsey Town 2-1 Petersfield Town AFC Portchester or Infinity vs. New Milton Town AFC Stoneham vs. Hamble Club SECOND Alresford Town vs. AFC Totton ROUND Andover Town vs. Hythe & Dibden Baffins Milton Rovers vs. Hartley Wintney Basingstoke Town vs. Portsmouth Blackfield & Langley or Bashley vs. Newport (IOW) Cowes Sports vs. AFC Bournemouth East Cowes Victoria vs. Eastleigh Fareham Town vs. Alton or Totton & Eling Farnborough vs. Aldershot Town Fleet Town vs. Eversley & California Gosport Borough vs. Sholing Havant & Waterlooville vs. Winchester City Moneyfields vs. Lymington Town Romsey Town vs. Horndean or Royal Navy FA FROM THE CHAIR TO THE BENCH It has come to my attention that there has been several recent breaches of the Wessex League Directive regarding the Technical Area writes Nick Spencer. I would like to help club officials and their management teams by reminding them of the League Directive regarding the Technical Area, an extract of which is seen below - Wessex League Directive Only two persons at a time shall occupy the Technical Area; only one person at a time has the authority to convey tactical instructions to players during the match from within the technical area. FA Standardised Rule 8.25 refers. Substitutes and Managerial Staff only, shall occupy the dug outs. FA Standardised Rules 8.25 Only one person at a time has the authority to convey tactical instructions to the Players during the match from within the technical area. 8.28 With the exception of the team manager, the team coach and any substitutes who are warming up or warming down, all other personnel are to remain seated on the trainer’s bench. The team manager or team coach is allowed to move to the edge of the technical area to issue instructions to his team. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 18 of 27 PORTSMOUTH SENIOR CUP 2021/22 The draw for the First Round of the competition was released earlier this week, the dates for the two ties involving our clubs have been made and are shown here for reference. AFC Petersfield Town Juniors v Harvest Home * Meon Milton v Fleetlands * Denmead v Fareham Town [5 October] Paulsgrove Reserves v Locks Heath * Gosport Borough v Paulsgrove Whiteley Wanderers v US Portsmouth Reserves Horndean v Baffins Milton Rovers [12 October] NOTE- * If not played on a Saturday this tie is to be reversed. Byes: AFC Portchester, Clanfield, Hayling United, Liphook United, Locks Heath Reserves, Moneyfields, Moneyfields Reserves, Petersfield Town and United Services Portsmouth. HOLDERS are Moneyfields who beat Baffins Milton Rovers 6-5 on penalties after it ended one each after 90 minutes at Fratton Park on 20 May 2021. Good luck to all our teams participating in the competition. SATURDAY RESULTS Saturday 28 August 2021 Premier Division AFC Portchester 1-2 Brockenhurst 228 Lee Wort Silvano Obeng [2] Amesbury Town 0-2 United Services Portsmouth 33 Obi Saidy Joe Johnson Baffins Milton Rovers 4-0 Christchurch 67 Jason Parish Tommy Scutt [2] Callum Smith Bashley 0-1 Horndean 261 Harry Jackson 90+1 Cowes Sports 5-1 Bournemouth 135 John McKie 7, 23, 26, 69 Jack Kinge-Phillips 86 Fin Phillips 73 Fareham Town 7-0 Hythe & Dibden 183 Josh Benfield [2] Dan Bennett Archie Willcox Charlie Cooper Ben Rowthorn Ash Tattersall Hamble Club 3-4 Blackfield & Langley 104 Sam Woodward 15 Fawzi Saadi 1 Ashton Goodger 70 Rafa Ramos 20 Filippos Terzidis 75 Sami Makhloufi 61 pen Ali Zintany 86 Hamworthy United 3-0 Alton 95 Jack Lovell Jamie Beasley Jamie Filkins Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 19 of 27 Portland United 4-2 Alresford Town 110 Joel Hewitt 30 pen, 42, 59 Ilyas Warshow Greg Borthwick 46 Aime Fotso Shaftesbury 2-2 AFC Stoneham [*] Ash Pope [2] Duarte Martins [2] Division One Andover Town 1-3 Folland Sports 105 Luke Adams Fabio Manuel Clayd Roach [pen] Jo Sutherden Bemerton Heath Harlequins 4-1 Fawley AFC 44 Justin Bennett 65 pen Dec Hartigan 23 Harry Beckley 75 Callum Sweeney 81 Zach Hine 84 Downton 2-0 Newport (IOW) 192 Paul Gulliver Craig Tyson East Cowes Victoria 5-0 Fleet Spurs 38 Ryan Gregory Harri Catania Toby Snow Jimmi Burton Harrison Yates Infinity 0-3 Verwood Town 26 Nathan Gray 6, 26, 90+3 Laverstock & Ford 2-2 Petersfield Town 79 Russell Jones Jake Alford Archie Lovegrove Marvin Orepo New Milton Town 1-3 Andover New Street 79 Chris Long 65 Ross Cook 8 Lloyd Thompson 23 Luke Hooper 53 Ringwood Town 3-4 Ash United 40 Harry Smith 3 pen Zac Aubrey-Simpson 13, 16, 46, 70 Harrison Clarke 20 Sam Brown 47 Romsey Town 3-1 Totton & Eling 102 Kieran Hancock 14 Sam Ellis Jack Odam 43 pen, 84 pen Whitchurch United 2-1 Millbrook 57 Craig Rutledge Lewis Goodwin George Bishop [*] – details not provided by the club Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 20 of 27 SATURDAY MATCH REPORTS SATURDAY 28 AUGUST – DIVISION ONE – Whitchurch United 2-1 Millbrook This was the first competitive meeting between the two Clubs and whilst the home side took the spoils Millbrook will perhaps consider themselves unlucky and certainly looked as though they are adapting well to life in the Wessex League writes John Gorman. The home side took the early initiative with George Bishop creating shooting chances for Nick Yeomans and Dave Parry that were saved and wide respectively before Mark Barker broke down the right for the visitors but Zak Collins could not make enough contact with the cross. Bishop was denied by a very late offside flag and Millbrook escaped when goalkeeper Ben Puleo collided with a defender but the angle was too narrow for Craig Rutledge with his effort with the loose ball finding the side netting. Visiting full back Dean Frampton was finding space on the right and Barker was too high from his cross but the home side were largely on top and opened the scoring on fifteen minutes. Parry crossed diagonally from the left into a largely vacant penalty area but Puleo was slow to leave his line and a brave header from RUTLEDGE steered the ball in to the unguarded net. Skipper Jake Long was a driving force in midfield for Millbrook and Barker twice found the net but the offside flag was already raised before the scores were level ten minutes before the break. Barker crossed from the right, the home defence failed to get the ball away and Lewis GOODWIN beat goalkeeper Ash Downs from twenty five yards, the ball flying in to the roof of the net. Whitchurch’s response was immediate and emphatic as BISHOP beat Puleo low to his left from the edge of the “D”. Two goals inside sixty seconds. A rather optimistic Whitchurch free kick from way outside the area was high and wide before both goalkeepers excelled in the last minute of the half – Downs turning a shot from Barker on to the post and away and Puleo hanging on to a fierce effort from Yeomans before Millbrook were forced to replace Collins with Perry Harding as the whistle blew. HT 2-1 Millbrook replaced Frampton with somebody wearing the number 19 shirt, though there was no mention of a 19 on the white board, and similar problems have been experienced in other games seen this season. Puleo conceded a corner when too casual in dealing with a back pass but the kick came to nothing before the keeper was at full stretch to save from Parry. The visitors were now largely dominating proceedings as numerous substitutions broke up the flow of the game but missed two almost golden chances to at least level the scores. Harding found Callum Drake on the edge of the six yard only for the ball to be steered past both the keeper and the post and Goodwin was too high with only Downs to beat. Such was the Millbrook pressure that Parry was virtually playing a lone hand for Whitchurch in the visiting half and some of the home defending had a touch of desperation about it but was helped by the Millbrook forwards too often falling foul of the offside flag. There was then some seven minutes of stoppage time- where does it all come from- before the whistle blew on a narrow victory for the home side. Perhaps Whitchurch shaded it overall but Millbrook will probably feel they did enough in the second half and the two missed chances cost them dear. FT 2-1 A small point but credit to Millbrook for the most readable shirt numbers I have seen this season. SATURDAY 28 AUGUST – DIVISION ONE – New Milton Town 1-3 Andover New Street A rarity in our League these days, a noon kick off, giving the opportunity for people to catch two games on a Saturday, unfortunately for the hosts not the result they wanted and not a brilliant number through the gate, writes Mike Robins. A welcoming coffee started proceedings with the visitors making the most of the opening exchanges when striker Ross COOK latched on to a ball, perhaps with a hint of offside about it, and was able to pick a spot beyond home keeper Ollie Bull to open the scoring in the fourth minute. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 21 of 27 The striker almost made it two four minutes later but the effort was comfortably parried by Bull, the visitors enjoyed long spells of pressure and a needless foul conceded by Callum Parnell was wasted; but saw two corners in quick succession from New Street, the latter of which gave Shane Lock the chance to pick out Mikey Davis, but that killer ball was just lacking. With 23 minutes on my watch the visitors extended their lead, with Lloyd THOMPSON the marksmen, after a weak clearance was collected from just outside the hosts’ penalty area, he didn’t need a second invitation to be honest. It was a fairly convincing period for New Street and an overhead kick from Luke Hooper nearly provided dividends from a Davis ball. The Linnets were gradually getting back into contention aside from the threat posed by Cook for the visitors. HT 0-2 The momentum was with the hosts upon resumption, and Chris Long found himself in space but could only see his effort clear the bar. At the other end a timely challenge from Elliot Lines cut out the threat from Cook. The lead was extended though on 53 minutes following a scintillating move involving Lock and Ross before HOOPER finished off the move from around the edge of the penalty area. Moments later it could have been four again with Lock and Ross involved, the shot was well blocked by Lines and another strike three minutes shy of the hour from sub Reece Rusher tested Bull from distance. LONG had two chances inside a minute to get the Linnets back in the game, the first saw his shot dragged wide from a Tyrrell Sampson pass and the second drew a good stop from keeper Sean O’Brien. But his persistence got a result. A header from a Sampson free kick weas headed home despite the attentions of O’Brien to give New Milton some chance of getting something out of the game. Things were getting a little feisty with some poor challenges going in, but there was little threat in front of goal and at the finish it was the visitors who ran out as winners and was New Milton’s first taste of defeat in the League this term. FT 1-3 SATURDAY 28 AUGUST – DIVISION ONE – Infinity 0-3 Verwood Town In truth this will not be a game that lasts too long in the memory writes Roger Allen. The visitors dominated the first half and, although Infinity improved in the second, Verwood ended up as comfortable winners. The first chance of the game fell to infinity as Junior Kamara shot low for Callum Maher to pull off a good save. However Verwood took the lead in the 6th minute with their first chance as Nathan GRAY was released by a through pass to finish low past Simon Parker. Verwood then started to dominate possession though the best chance of the next period fell to Infinity's Kurt Watts who was off target from a corner. On 26 minutes Verwood extended their lead as Callum Butler shot from the right side of the goal. Simon Parker managed to parry the shot but it looped up kindly for GRAY to head home from close range. Shortly after Verwood could have scored again as a corner was headed down by Matt Burt but Ben Kelly's header went the wrong side of the post. Despite Infinity having the occasional long range effort, Verwood were in the ascendancy and Matt Vining brought a good low save out of Simon Parker. HT 0-2 Verwood full back Ryan Watkins had an early chance in the second period but his shot was saved. The second half was much more even and Infinity thought they had got back into the game on the hour as a close range header by Lincoln Pepall found its way into goal only for his effort to be disallowed for offside. The game moved from end to end though clear cut chances were few and far between. Vining was just wide for Verwood then Infinity came close to reducing the deficit. A free kick from 25 yards by Liam Bush was tipped onto the bar by Maher. The game moved into stoppage time and with 3 extra minutes played GRAY completed his hat trick rounding keeper Parker and firing into the open goal. FT 0-3 On gripe about the game - a handful of players (mostly the more experienced ones) were guilty of foul language which was delivered at high decibels. Several spectators commented on this but the referee took no discernible action - a lamentable failure on his part. One hopes the clubs will step in to put a stop to this - all present knew who the culprits were. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 22 of 27 SATURDAY 28 AUGUST – DIVISION ONE – Ringwood Town 3-4 Ash United Match number 2 of this ‘Wessex Division One’ football extravaganza and, for the writer, it was an unusual journey from the first game at New Milton Town to Ringwood. For the first time in 23 visits spanning almost forty years, a right turn was taken into the car park here. It was wondered what was further on down the lane and today I found out! The usual warm welcome was afforded by the Ringwood folk writes Gary Day. A lovely surface too. So, without further ado … This looks to be the first competitive meeting between these teams and it got off to a fine start as Bale upended Smith just inside the box and a penalty was given. Up stepped SMITH to drive a firm, straight and high spot-kick home and Town were into a second minute lead. The advantage didn’t last long though and enter Ash striker AUBREY-SIMPSON to the stage who produced a lovely ‘tee-up and turn’ followed by a screamer of a volley to net from around 20-yards. That came on 13 minutes and just three minutes later Ash nosed in front when Billingham played a through pass from halfway and AUBREY-SIMPSON nipped in and lobbed it over keeper Kitcher for another well-taken effort. Town responded positively with a Manley cut back finding Smith who forced Ash keeper Cunningham to tip over. Town levelled, scoring the game’s fourth goal inside twenty minutes when Manley crossed, Smith’s firm header bounced down off the underside of the bar and CLARKE nodded it over the line. An audacious distant effort by Town’s Fay had Cunningham moving across to prevent it from entering the top corner, the keeper needing treatment for his effort. Later Harris unleashed a fine shot for Town but it went over. HT 2-2. The teams traded a goal apiece at the very start of the second half when AUBREY-SIMPSON sneaked behind the home defence and fired past Kitcher just 31 seconds after the restart. But Town were level within a minute with newly introduced substitute BROWN firing firm and high into goal. Fay had a further shot that was well beaten out by Cunningham and Ash sub Green headed over a good chance with Aubrey-Simpson being the provider on this occasion. Kitcher did well to block from Cairns and recover to hold before Aubrey-Simpson could capitalise once more. The goal that proved to be the winner was AUBREY-SIMPSON’s fourth of the game, latching onto a ball over the home defence he hit a delightful shot. Twenty minutes remained and late in the game Ash’s talisman became a passenger having collected a knock with his side having used all their allocated substitutes. Marshall’s header from a Manley cross for Town was well pushed over by Cunningham as Ash collected the points. FT 3-4. This was a good game with plenty of attacking football from both teams and a fine advert for the Wessex League. Well played all!! SATURDAY 28 AUGUST – DIVISION ONE – East Cowes Victoria 5-0 Fleet Spurs The game could hardly have started worse for the visitors, as in the islanders’ first attack, the match officials after due consideration deemed Conor Allison’s foul on Harrison Yates to have been inside the box. Ryan GREGORY gave Coleman no chance from the spot. That was after two minutes. Fleet gradually got into the game and put some good moves together, though these were too often spoilt by hesitancy and over-elaboration, and they were unable to trouble home keeper Karl Steinborn-Busse. Vics’ play on the other hand was far more incisive, and Coleman had to be alert throughout. At this stage of the game, the Fleet defenders were defending resolutely, making a number of brave blocks, and it was beginning to look as if half-time would come with East Cowes having an unflattering single-goal lead. Then, five minutes before the break, Harri CATANIA rose unmarked to meet a left-wing corner from Zak Sullivan and headed powerfully home to give an interval score that more accurately reflected the play. HT 2-0 The second half was one-way traffic with Vics breaking through the visitors’ defence at will, and the Spurs players apparently reluctant to chase back with any determination when they were beaten. After 62 minutes, Toby SNOW was able to run through unchecked after Fleet had given the ball away and slid the ball Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 23 of 27 past the helpless keeper. Ten minutes later Jimmi BURTON scored a simple fourth when he and sub Charlie Marsek were both clear with only Coleman to beat and the sub unselfishly put him in. Ten minutes from the end, Dale Small talked his way into the referee’s book, received a yellow card, wouldn’t shut up, and saw the inevitable second yellow and consequential red card. Dale, with his great knowledge and experience, has much to offer Spurs, in particular with his guidance to the younger players. However his eloquence, if unchecked and wrongly targeted as on this occasion, can do his team more harm than good. The final goal came three minutes into stoppage time when Burton put YATES into space a few yards out and he beat the keeper at his near post. FT 5-0 SATURDAY ROUND UP Before we kick off so to speak, it is practically the proverbial lifetime since Fareham Town played Hythe & Dibden in a league fixture, and after yesterday’s game they do it all again next Saturday as well, bit like the adage about London buses. Back in 1951/52 the pair were in the second tier of the Hampshire League, Reading “A” finished top with East Cowes Vics runners up. Fareham Town finished 7th of 14 with Hythe & Dibden being that 14th club. Fareham amassed 25 points from their 26 outings whilst Hythe just managed eight- conceding 110 goals in the process. Other teams in the same division that term were Romsey Town (4th), Bournemouth (11th) and Portsmouth Civil Service (11th). Fareham ran out as 7-1 winners at home on 11 April, with Hythe gaining some revenge a couple of weeks later scoring twice without reply. Thanks to Paul Proctor for the picture shown here from yesterday’s game and also for mentioning the historical fact, plus the excellent records section on the Fareham Town website. Brockenhurst moved to the top of the Premier Division with a best of three goals victory at AFC Portchester making it four wins out of five. Familiar names on the scoresheet as well with Silvano Obeng claiming both goals for the Badgers and Lee Wort replying for the home side. Three clubs, Baffins Milton Rovers, Hamworthy United and Cowes Sports are two points adrift in second spot after all three recorded comfortable home victories. Baffins defeated bottom but one club Christchurch 4-0, goals from Tommy Scutt with two, Jason Parish and Callum Smith. Alton were unable to repeat their midweek Cup heroics, going down 3-0 at Hamworthy with Jack Lovell, Jamie Beasley and Jamie Filkins on target. Cowes Sports scored five in the Hampshire Senior Cup in midweek and claimed another nap hand four days later against visitors Bournemouth. John McKie scored four – making it a personal eight goals in two games with Fin Phillips adding the fifth and Jack Kinge-Phillips credited with the consolation goal for the Poppies. Bashley, who topped the table at the start of the day, went down 1-0 at home to a last minute goal by Harry Jackson for Horndean but were partly rewarded, as were Portchester, by an attendance in excess of two hundred. Highest scorers of the day were Fareham Town who re-discovered their shooting boots with a 7-0 defeat of Hythe & Dibden who, like Christchurch, remain pointless at the bottom of the table. The Creeksiders goals came from Josh Benfield with a double, Charlie Cooper, Ben Rowthorn, Dan Bennett, Archie Willcox and Ash Tattersall. There were seven goals at Hamble Club as well with four going to the visitors, Blackfield & Langley, who had Fawzi Saadi, Rafa Ramos, Ali Zintany and Sami Makhloufi to thank. Sam Woodward, Ashton Goodger and Filippos Terzidis on the mark for the Monks. Portland United found some form resulting in a 4-2 win over Alresford with Josh Hewitt leading the way with a hat trick and one from Greg Borthwick more than cancelling out strikes from Ilyas Warshow and Aime Fotso. A highly creditable performance from AFC Stoneham who returned to Shaftesbury, where they went down heavily in the Cup a week previously and came away with a share of four goals and the points despite fielding a much weakened side. Ash Pope notched both the home goals and Duane Martins replied with a double for Stoneham. Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 24 of 27 Lastly US Portsmouth travelled to Amesbury and took all three points with a 2-0 victory with Obi Saidy and Joe Johnson finding the net. In Division One three sides, Newport, Follands and New Milton, went into the day with one hundred per cent League records but by quarter to five only Follands could still claim to be in the same position. They returned to Andover Town, where they lost in midweek in the Hampshire Senior Cup, this time winning by three goals to one courtesy of goals from Fabio Manuel, Clayd Roach and Jo Sutherden with Luke Adams on the mark for the home side. Newport made the long journey to Downton and went down to goals from Paul Gulliver and Craig Tyson whilst the noon kick off at New Milton seemed to better suit visitors Andover New Street who were three up through Ross Cook, Luke Hooper and Lloyd Thompson before Chris Long netted for the home side. Linnets’ striker Luke Stone picked up an ankle dislocation and ligament damage about midway through the first half, we wish him a speedy recovery. Bemerton Heath added to their goal tally with a 4-1 home win over Fawley – Justin Bennett, Harry Beckley, Callum Sweeney and Zach Hine against one from Dec Hartigan - and there were four goals as well for Ash United at who are now rapidly finding their feet in the League. It was a personal triumph for Zac Aubrey- Simpson who netted all four goals at Ringwood for whom Harry Smith, Harrison Clark and Sam Brown scored in reply. Nathan Gray registered a hat trick for Verwood in their 3-0 win at Infinity while East Cowes Vics achieved their best win for some three seasons scoring five without reply against the luckless Fleet Spurs - Toby Snow, Jimmi Burton, Harrison Yates, Ryan Gregory and Harri Catania the scorers. Laverstock & Ford and Petersfield shared four goals at The Dell – Russ Jones and Archie Lovegrove against Jake Alford and Marvin Orepo - while Whitchurch won by the odd goal in three at home to Millbrook. Craig Rutledge gave the home side the lead before Lewis Goodwin’s equaliser was quickly cancelled out by George Bishop. Finally in what almost counts as a local derby Romsey proved too strong for Totton & Eling, two goals from Jack Odam and one from Kieran Hancock for the home side with the lone Totton goal from Sam Ellis. So as August turns in to September it is Brockenhurst and Follands who lead the way but with a long, long way to go as yet, LEAGUE TABLES RANK PREMIER DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Brockenhurst 5 4 0 1 12 6 6 12 2 Baffins Milton Rovers 4 3 1 0 12 2 10 10 3 Hamworthy United 4 3 1 0 9 3 6 10 4 Cowes Sports 6 3 1 2 10 9 1 10 5 Bashley 4 3 0 1 7 2 5 9 6 Shaftesbury 4 2 2 0 14 5 9 8 7 Horndean 3 2 1 0 8 0 8 7 8 United Services Portsmouth 3 2 1 0 6 3 3 7 9 Alton 4 2 1 1 5 6 -1 7 10 AFC Stoneham 4 1 3 0 8 5 3 6 11 Portland United 5 2 0 3 9 8 1 6 12 Moneyfields 4 2 0 2 6 5 1 6 13 Fareham Town 4 1 2 1 12 7 5 5 14 Blackfield & Langley 3 1 1 1 6 6 0 4 15 Bournemouth 4 1 0 3 5 12 -7 3 16 Hamble Club 5 0 3 2 5 13 -8 3 17 Amesbury Town 4 1 0 3 4 14 -10 3 18 AFC Portchester 3 0 2 1 3 4 -1 2 19 Alresford Town 3 0 1 2 2 5 -3 1 20 Christchurch 5 0 0 5 4 13 -9 0 21 Hythe & Dibden 5 0 0 5 2 21 -19 0 Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 25 of 27 RANK DIVISION ONE PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Folland Sports 5 5 0 0 18 7 11 15 2 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 5 4 1 0 18 7 11 13 3 Newport (IOW) 5 4 0 1 18 8 10 12 4 New Milton Town 5 4 0 1 13 7 6 12 5 Andover New Street 5 3 1 1 16 8 8 10 6 Downton 5 3 1 1 15 8 7 10 7 Whitchurch United 5 3 1 1 8 8 0 10 8 Verwood Town 5 3 0 2 14 8 6 9 9 Ash United 5 2 0 3 10 9 1 6 10 Millbrook 4 2 0 2 8 9 -1 6 11 Romsey Town 5 2 0 3 11 14 -3 6 12 East Cowes Victoria 4 1 2 1 10 7 3 5 13 Andover Town 4 1 1 2 9 9 0 4 14 Laverstock & Ford 5 1 1 3 15 18 -3 4 15 Ringwood Town 5 1 1 3 11 15 -4 4 16 Petersfield Town 5 1 1 3 8 13 -5 4 17 Totton & Eling 5 1 1 3 7 15 -8 4 18 Infinity 5 1 0 4 5 15 -10 3 19 Fawley AFC 4 0 1 3 7 14 -7 1 20 Fleet Spurs 5 0 0 5 1 23 -22 0 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Top five in each table as at Saturday 28 August. RANK DORSET PREMIER LEAGUE PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Hamworthy Recreation 5 5 0 0 29 2 27 15 2 Sturminster Newton United 5 4 1 0 17 4 13 13 3 Westland Sports 5 4 1 0 8 0 8 13 4 Merley Cobham Sports 4 4 0 0 17 1 16 12 5 Blandford United 4 4 0 0 11 4 7 12 RANK HAMPSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Moneyfields Reserves 6 6 0 0 23 5 18 18 2 Denmead 5 4 0 1 23 4 19 12 3 Sway 6 4 0 2 14 12 2 12 4 Fleetlands 6 3 2 1 12 6 6 11 5 Locks Heath 6 3 1 2 21 8 13 10 RANK WILTSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Pewsey Vale 5 5 0 0 18 1 17 15 2 Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev 4 4 0 0 18 1 17 12 3 Corsham Town Dev 5 3 1 1 17 9 8 10 4 Calne Town Reserves 5 3 0 2 19 5 14 9 5 Melksham Town Reserves 4 3 0 1 11 6 5 9 In Dorset Merley Cobham Sports game against Blandford United was called off, due to the Royals reported to not being able to raise a team, seems like they’ve been charged with a failure to fulfil. Anyway, Hamworthy Recreation saw off Balti Sports scoring six without reply in Weymouth to remain on a 100% record after five Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 26 of 27 games. Sturminster Newton and Westlands both won on their own patches, 3-0 against Hamworthy United Reserves and 2-0 against Dorchester Sports respectively. Bournemouth Sports also won on the road, enjoying a 5-2 success at Wareham Rangers, whilst Holt beat Bridport’s second team 4-2. Corfe Castle and Shaftesbury Reserves’ game ended goalless. Heading east, Denmead and Locks Heath both hit six. The former keeping a clean sheet as they overwhelmed Colden Common at home, whilst Locks conceded just the one at Sway. Moneyfields’ second team extend their lead ahead of the pack with a 3-0 win over Stockbridge. Hayling United won a best of three contest against basement side Lyndhurst in the New Forest whilst both Paulsgrove and Fleetlands bagged the points in 2-0 wins. The former at Winchester Castle the latter when Liphook United were the visitors. In the other game Clanfield beat Overton United 3-1. Looking north just four games yesterday in Wiltshire- Pewsey Vale move to the top courtesy of a 2-0 home win over Calne Town Reserves. Malmesbury Victoria Development side won by the odd goal of nine at Marlborough Town and Wroughton also scored five on the road; winning 5-3 at Devizes Town Reserves. Finally here Corsham Development moved into third spot with a best of five win at Trowbridge Town. Meanwhile at Step 4, in the Southern League Southern Division- AFC Totton beat Highworth Town 3-1 in front of the top gate in the Division- 274 and have maximum points from their three starts this term. New boys Lymington Town earned a point on their travels, sharing six goals at Cinderford Town. Sholing won by the odd goal of three at Willand Rovers and sit just a couple of points behind the league leaders with Winchester City scoring twice without reply in their win over visitors Evesham United. Meanwhile in the Premier Division, there was a top gate of 696 at Dorchester Town where Salisbury won by a single goal to nil. Gosport Borough hit third spot with a three goal haul against visitors Chesham United. Poole Town saw a convincing 4-0 win on their travels at Harrow Borough but Wimborne Town went down by the odd goal in three to visitors Swindon Supermarine- a result that sees the Magpies languishing in 21st place with just one point to their name. The National League got under way for Eastleigh yesterday, and in their opening contest the Spitfires went down 2-0 at home against Wrexham. Lastly, in the Hampshire Combination & Development League, only three games were played across the competition- all in the West Division with Colden Common beating Sway by the odd goal in seven. Blackfield & Langley won by the best of three at Millbrook and QK Southampton also won on their travels, 2-1 at Verwood Town. Top five in each Division rounds off the Newsletter this week. RANK PREMIER DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 AFC Stoneham 2 2 0 0 12 3 9 6 2 Wimborne Town 2 2 0 0 8 2 6 6 3 Fareham Town 3 2 0 1 11 11 0 6 4 United Services Portsmouth 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3 5 Alton 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 RANK EAST DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Paulsgrove 2 2 0 0 13 3 10 6 2 Locks Heath 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 3 3 Fleetlands 2 1 0 1 6 7 -1 3 4 Midhurst & Easebourne 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 2 5 Clanfield 3 0 2 1 4 6 -2 2 RANK WEST DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 QK Southampton 3 2 1 0 11 6 5 7 2 Millbrook 3 2 0 1 6 2 4 6 3 Blackfield & Langley 3 1 2 0 6 5 1 5 4 Colden Common 1 1 0 0 4 3 1 3 5 New Milton Town 1 1 0 0 4 3 1 3 Sunday, 29 August 2021 The Wessex Post Page 27 of 27