SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of your Newsletter, if you have anything to contribute, please do get in touch by email- [email protected] You can keep up to date with all the news from around the League by following us on Twitter at - @Sydwessex 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!

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

ARE YOU LISTENING ?

Now broadcasting on Sunday 14:00 to 16:00

The Sydenhams Show is the official podcast of the Sydenhams Wessex League. We’re on air live from the 103.9 Voice FM studios in 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 38 teams of the Sydenhams Wessex League. So far, we have had managers, chairmen, players, press officers and secretaries joining us as studio guests and phone guests; from many Sydenhams Wessex 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, at the moment, no guests will be allowed in the Studio, but please email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. Friday, 12 February 2021 Page 2 of 14

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

STAT ATTACK

LEADING GOALSCORERS – LEAGUE GAMES ONLY Details are based on clubs being up to date with records on Full Time at time of going to press.

PREMIER DIVISION Connor Duffin 11 Cameron Munn Hamworthy United 10 Dan Cann Hamworthy United 9 Lee Wort AFC Portchester 9 Ashley Elson Alresford Town 8 John McKie Cowes Sports 8

DIVISION ONE Russell Jones Laverstock & Ford 14 George Bowerman Alton 12 Clayd Roach Folland Sports 11 James Franklyn United Services 10 [four on] 9

WATCHING BRIEF – TOP THREE LEAGUE ATTENDANCES

PREMIER DIVISION AFC Portchester V Blackfield & Langley 300 31 October AFC Portchester V Hamworthy United 300 12 December AFC Portchester V Baffins Milton Rovers 286 15 December

DIVISION ONE Andover Town V Andover New Street 289 29 September East Cowes Victoria V Newport IOW 288 29 September Laverstock & Ford V Bemerton Heath Harlequins 287 13 October

SHARPEST AND MEANEST Leading goalscoring teams in the League and the meanest defences

PREMIER DIVISION SHARPEST MEANEST Hamworthy United 50 Town 4 AFC Stoneham 35 Christchurch 8 Town 33 Hamworthy United 9 Horndean 32 Fareham Town 12 Fleet Town 28 [three on] 15 Blackfield & Langley 27

DIVISION ONE SHARPEST MEANEST Laverstock & Ford 47 Town 13 Folland Sports 33 United Services Portsmouth 13 United Services Portsmouth 30 Alton 14 Alton 29 Folland Sports 17 Newport IOW 29 Verwood Town 17 [three on] 25 [two on] 18

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

LEAGUE TABLES

RANK PREMIER DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Hamworthy United 14 12 1 1 50 9 41 37 2 Lymington Town 12 11 0 1 23 4 19 33 3 Horndean 13 10 1 2 32 15 17 31 4 Fareham Town 11 8 2 1 33 12 21 26 5 Blackfield & Langley 13 8 1 4 27 20 7 25 6 Christchurch 11 7 2 2 23 8 15 23 7 Fleet Town 14 6 4 4 28 20 8 22 8 AFC Stoneham 12 7 0 5 35 15 20 21 9 AFC Portchester 12 6 1 5 20 15 5 19 10 Bashley 12 6 0 6 19 22 -3 18 11 Calleva 11 5 2 4 17 18 -1 17 12 Baffins Milton Rovers 13 3 4 6 21 25 -4 13 13 Bournemouth 14 3 3 8 15 39 -24 12 14 Hamble Club 13 2 5 6 16 23 -7 11 15 Brockenhurst 10 3 2 5 10 20 -10 11 16 Shaftesbury 12 3 1 8 19 34 -15 10 17 Cowes Sports 11 2 2 7 16 24 -8 8 18 Portland United 15 2 2 11 16 51 -35 8 19 Alresford Town 13 1 4 8 14 39 -25 7 20 Amesbury Town 12 0 1 11 5 26 -21 1

RANK DIVISION ONE PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Laverstock & Ford 14 11 3 0 47 18 29 36 2 Alton 11 9 1 1 29 14 15 28 3 Folland Sports 12 7 2 3 33 17 16 23 4 United Services Portsmouth 10 7 0 3 30 13 17 21 5 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 11 6 3 2 25 18 7 21 6 Newport (IOW) 11 6 1 4 29 19 10 19 7 Andover Town 12 5 4 3 25 22 3 19 8 Town 12 5 2 5 25 30 -5 17 9 Verwood Town 11 4 4 3 20 17 3 16 10 Hythe & Dibden 11 4 4 3 19 21 -2 16 11 Andover New Street 12 4 3 5 16 20 -4 15 12 Town 10 4 2 4 15 19 -4 14 13 Downton 14 3 2 9 20 29 -9 11 14 Fawley AFC 11 3 1 7 15 27 -12 10 15 East Cowes Victoria 12 2 4 6 13 29 -16 10 16 Romsey Town 8 3 0 5 11 13 -2 9 17 Whitchurch United 11 3 0 8 18 32 -14 9 18 Town 11 2 2 7 19 27 -8 8 19 Totton & Eling 12 1 0 11 10 34 -24 3 Friday, 12 February 2021 Page 4 of 14

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

THE NUMBERS GAME

3 The total number of goals scored by Road Sea in the two-legged League Cup Final of 1986/87. 75 Number of points accrued by Bashley in the first Wessex League campaign, 1986/87. 783 The number of league goals scored in the 1986/87 Wessex League season.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

MATCH REPORT WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION 1 TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2009 RINGWOOD TOWN 0 TOTTON & ELING 3

Totton & Eling extended their lead at the head of Division 1 with an easy win at the Canotec Stadium. With both sides in good form with 10 points from a possible 12, a close game was expected. However the visitors enjoyed more possession and were more dangerous in attack. Unfortunately despite the home side’s efforts to attract a good crowd for the game the lure of the television and two big local cup semi-finals there was only a meagre crowd at the game. The visitors dictated play from the start, and kicking towards the town end in the first half first threatened the home goal on 3 minutes when a Steer free kick deep into the goal area was headed past the post. However they did open their account just three minutes later. A cross in from Steer saw Rhodes unable to hold the ball and it spilled away for MOCKERIDGE to tap in at the back post. Steer was having a good game and causing the home defence difficulties throughout, again causing the home defence problems in the 11th minute when his free kick wasn’t cleared and came back out to him only to see his ground shot zip wide of the post. In the 17th minute Ringwood almost grabbed an equaliser. Baguley curled in a shot that hit the base of the post with Savident well beaten. The ball bounced back and hit the keeper who seemed to have no idea where the ball was, but the ball was eventually cleared away. Just before the half hour mark it was Steer again who created another opportunity for the visitors. Another deep cross was hit wide by Mockeridge, the ball was again not cleared properly and Hardiman had a good chance that drew a point blank save from Rhodes, and moments later Steve Jenkin drove a shot wide. HT 0-1 Into the second half Leadbetter made a great defensive header on 58 minutes to deny what looked a certain goal and the wing back was now also beginning to get more involved as the hosts tried to get back into the game. However with almost an hour gone, Totton & Eling extended their lead when a corner wasn’t cleared and with around 16 players in the goal area it was not really a surprise that the ball was knocked in by EYLES, as the ball cannoned off feet close in. On the hour mark Rhodes had to be alert though as a Marwood free kick flew straight at him. The visitors nearly grabbed a third on 68 minutes, Eyles again had the ball in the net but play was brought back. A couple of minutes later Ringwood’s last real goal threat came when Baguley skilfully stepped over the ball allowing Gogan to whip the ball in hard and low but nobody was on hand to apply the final touch as the ball flashed across the face of goal. Moments later Leadbetter’s quick free kick was easily collected by Savident. The game was all but over, but Totton & Eling grabbed a third in the dying seconds of normal time, when a speculative 40 yard cross shot from JENKIN near the dugout touchline drifted into the net with everybody leaving it for someone else. The result takes Totton & Eling to 82 points- eleven points clear with just seven to play. Is the first division title heading towards Southern Gardens?

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Not that I get any, but here we go with another space filler, two per week so that’s a ready-made 13 week series, here’s the next instalment.

D Dulwich Hamlet. Perhaps best well known for the pink and blue kit colour, the team were founded in 1893 and spent many seasons in the winning the title on a number of occasions and FA Amateur Cup winners on four occasions. Their old Champion Hill ground was home for some 60 years before safety regulations introduced in light of the Hillsborough disaster saw the ground demolished. A return to the site was secured after the sale of land to Sainsburys helped to fund the “new” home. 2018 saw the team travel to Altona 93 in Germany to commemorate the 125th anniversary of both teams. W Wick Academy. The club is Scotland's most northerly senior football club, being based in Caithness, and play at Harmsworth Park. The club was founded in October 1893, taking its name from the Cricket club, and they joined the Highland League in 1994, their home shirt is black and white stripes. 2009/10 saw the team in the third round of the Scottish Cup for the first time, earning a home tie with Division 2 side Brechin City, that game finished all square at four each before a replay defeat. Home kit features Black and White striped shirts. 2019/20 ended prematurely of course, with them sitting in tenth spot in the Highland League.

TAKING A LOOK AT PEWSEY VALE The present Pewsey Vale Football Club was formed in 1948 though there are earlier mentions of football in the Town – a Pewsey Boys FC in the early 1920’s and a Pewsey YM who entered the FA Cup either side of the second World War. The present Club seemingly played many years of local football before joining the Wiltshire League in 1976-77 and finishing in third place in Division Two and thereby gaining promotion to Division One. However they suffered immediate relegation and for the next six seasons finished largely in the lower half of the Division Two table. In 1983/84 the Division was won by a Club called The Wills and the following season Pewsey finished third behind Wootton Bassett and Pinehurst and returned to Division One. They slowly progressed up the table until becoming champions in 1989/90, finishing one point ahead of Amesbury, who took the title the following year. Pewsey also won the Wiltshire Senior Cup on two occasions, by defeating Swindon Athletic (subsequently Supermarine) in 1991 and Hellenic League Purton in 2000. After finishing third in 1991/92 Pewsey became champions again the following season and, for the first time in their history, were promoted to the Western League Division One, one step below the Premier Division. This of course upped their travelling with trips to the likes of Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and Dawlish but they enjoyed a successful initial season finishing in fourth place. To emphasise the travel aspect the writer’s first visit to Pewsey was for a Tuesday evening fixture against Exmouth Town in 1999, a one hundred mile plus each way trip for the visitors. Memory suggests that the previous weekend Pewsey had dispensed with the services of Swindon Legend Don Rogers as manager. The Club spent eight seasons in the Western League, with that fourth place in Division One their best finish, before switching to the Hellenic League where they joined Division One West in 2001/02. The League was predominately Oxfordshire based and Pewsey finished as runners up to Hook Norton in season one and were promoted to the Premier Division. This entailed trips to Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire and the Club did not fare too well at the higher level finishing nineteenth, eighteenth and twenty second with the last placing meaning relegation back to Division One West.

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

A further four seasons followed at that level with only eighteen sides in the Division for the first three seasons and seventeen for the fourth and Pewsey’s occupation of seventeenth place in the table at the end of the last season meant a return to the Wiltshire League. Third place the following year at that level behind New College Swindon and Westbury United Reserves - they were thirteen points adrift of the champions – saw them promoted again because of their facilities and one assumes they were probably concerned with the possibility of returning to the Western League, but the FA placed then in the Wessex League for the first time. They enjoyed a creditable first season with a fourth place finish in Division One which was won by Downton and included the since departed Fleet Spurs, Warminster Town and Stockbridge. 2012/13 saw them defeat Bournemouth at Victoria Park in the opening round of the FA Cup, which it has to be said was quite an achievement at the time, as Vale could be considered to have been one of the lower ranked sides in the competition. The same season also saw them grab their record League scoring eight without reply against Andover New Street on 10 November, a hat trick from Dan Sloan leading the way. The following three seasons saw finishes in the upper reaches of the table before things began to fall away and in 2016/17 they finished in bottom place having conceded 157 goals, one of five clubs to have a three figure number in the goals against column. Until then they had encountered little problems on the field but off the field ground grading was a constant thorn in their side. They were unfortunate in that there were four or five entrances to the ground and they were unable to close any down on matchdays or man them all whilst the provision of a pay box was, throughout their entire spell in the League, a seemingly unsurmountable problem. The bottom place ensured a return to the Hellenic League West and only twenty six League fixtures against forty in the Wessex league. They finished fourth and in the following season, when there were only twenty two League fixtures they dropped to tenth place. The end of season re-organisation by the FA saw them returned to the Wessex League somewhat against their wishes. The FA look at what they call lateral movement simply through football eyes without considering any possible ramifications off the field, though maybe that is not their concern. Those that run the Club, and throughout their spell in the Wessex League it was always a pleasant place to visit, preferred the Wessex League because it was “better run” but the travel was a problem and an element of player power forced their withdrawal after a mere handful of games. They have now returned to the Wiltshire League but any possible promotion will cause the same problems. Pewsey geographically is on the fringe of three Leagues – the Western, Wessex and Hellenic – so travel is always going to be more of a problem than with the majority of Clubs and there does seem to be a growing reluctance in football at this level of players prepared to travel very far outside their local surroundings. We wish them well for the future.

FA CUP RECORD WHILST A MEMBER OF THE WESSEX LEAGUE 2011-12 Extra Preliminary Round Bishop Sutton Home 0-2 2012-13 Extra Preliminary Round Bournemouth Away 1-0 Preliminary Round Melksham Town Home 2-3 2013-14 Extra Preliminary Round Bitton Away 1-4 2014-15 Extra Preliminary Round Sherborne Town Home 0-1 FA VASE RECORD WHILST A MEMBER OF THE WESSEX LEAGUE 2010-11 First Qualifying Round Almondsbury UWE Away 2-4 2011-12 First Qualifying Round Corsham Town Away 1-1 [winning the replay 2-0] Second Qualifying Round Devizes Town Home 0-0 [losing the replay 3-1] 2012-13 First Qualifying Round Blackfield & Langley Away 1-4 2013-14 First Qualifying Round Folland Sports Home 0-5 2014-15 First Qualifying Round Melksham Town Home 0-4 2015-16 First Qualifying Round Warminster Town Away 0-3 2019-20 First Qualifying Round Laverstock & Ford Home 0-1

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

STATISTICS, STATISTICS

Following on from last week’s overview of home victories and other similar records here are the best results for our teams on the road in League competition games. The 16-0 win for Farnborough North End at Yateley Green is of course the record League win home or away by any club, a record that looks likely to be equalled or indeed overhauled for some time to come? If a winning margin has occurred on more than one occasion, only the most recent one is in this schedule. Renamed teams are identified in the final column, please see the notes section at the end for more details. The results here (and last week) are up to date at time of writing; including both 2019-20 and 2020-21.

RECORD AWAY WIN SEASON SCORE OPPONENT Aerostructures S&S >> >> See Folland Sports AFC Aldermaston 2008-09 7-2 Amesbury Town AFC Lymington >> >> See New Milton Town AFC Newbury 1997-98 7-1 Romsey Town AFC Portchester 2009-10 8-0 AFC Aldermaston AFC Stoneham 2018-19 10-1 Andover Town AFC Totton 2005-06 8-1 BAT Sports Alresford Town 2017-18 7-0 Petersfield Town Alton 2018-19 7-1 Verwood Town Alton Town >> >> See Alton Amesbury Town 2014-15 8-2 Team Solent Andover 1999-00 8-0 Hamble ASSC Andover New Street 2019-20 6-0 New Milton Town [1] Andover Town 2013-14 8-0 Hayling United Baffins Milton Rovers 2019-20 5-0 Amesbury Town Bashley 1988-89 8-1 Horndean BAT Sports >> >> See Totton & Eling Bemerton Heath Harlequins 2001-02 8-1 Swanage Town & Herston Bishops Waltham Town 2004-05 6-0 Fawley Blackfield & Langley 2017-18 8-0 Bemerton Heath Harlequins Bournemouth 1995-96 11-0 Swanage Town & Herston Brading Town 2005-06 7-0 Whitchurch United Brockenhurst 2012-13 8-0 United Services Portsmouth Christchurch 2019-20 6-0 Solent University FC Clanfield 2004-05 7-0 Hamble Club Colden Common 2004-05 10-0 Yateley Green Cowes Sports 2012-13 8-0 Laverstock & Ford David Coleman AFC 2004-05 4-2 Verwood Town Downton 1995-96 9-1 Swanage Town & Herston East Cowes Victoria 2011-12 8-0 Tadley Calleva 1997-98 10-0 Romsey Town Fareham Town 2006-07 8-0 Bemerton Heath Harlequins Farnborough North End 2004-05 16-0 Yateley Green Fawley 2009-10 9-0 AFC Aldermaston

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

Fleet Spurs 2009-10 8-0 AFC Aldermaston Fleet Town 1991-92 7-0 Horndean Fleetlands 2004-05 9-0 Ludgershall Sports Folland Sports 2009-10 8-0 Tadley Calleva [2] GE Hamble >> >> See Folland Sports Borough 1994-95 9-0 Petersfield Town Hamble ASSC >> >> See Folland Sports Hamble Club 2016-17 9-1 Pewsey Vale Hamworthy United 2019-20 7-1 Solent University FC [3] Town 1989-90 6-0 Brockenhurst Hayling United 2010-11 7-0 Romsey Town Horndean 2010-11 8-2 Fleet Spurs Hythe & Dibden 2019-20 10-0 Pewsey Vale Laverstock & Ford 2016-17 9-0 Alton Liss Athletic 2005-06 7-0 Whitchurch United 2005-06 7-0 Andover New Street Ludgershall Sports 2004-05 5-1 QK Southampton Lymington & New Milton >> >> See New Milton Town Lymington Town 2014-15 6-1 Totton & Eling Micheldever 2004-05 4-1 QK Southampton Moneyfields 2001-02 9-0 Blackfield & Langley Netley Central Sports 2004-05 9-1 QK Southampton New Milton Town 1992-93 9-0 Romsey Town [4] Newport IOW 1989-90 9-0 Brockenhurst Ordnance Survey >> >> See AFC Stoneham Otterbourne 2004-05 8-0 Yateley Green Overton United 2004-05 9-2 Hamble Club Paulsgrove 2005-06 7-0 Hamble Club Petersfield Town 2014-15 8-0 Bournemouth Pewsey Vale 2014-15 9-0 East Cowes Victoria Poole Town 2008-09 7-0 Hayling United Portals Athletic 1986-87 3-0 Bournemouth Portland United 2017-18 6-0 Baffins Milton Rovers [5] Portsmouth Royal Navy >> >> See United Services Portsmouth QK Southampton 2004-05 6-0 Yateley Green Ringwood Town 2015-16 7-1 Fleet Spurs Road Sea Southampton 1986-87 4-0 Romsey Town Romsey Town 2019-20 7-0 Pewsey Vale RS 2004-05 3-2 Fleet Spurs Ryde Sports 1990-91 5-0 Horndean Salisbury 2015-16 6-0 Cowes Sports Shaftesbury 2016-17 7-1 East Cowes Victoria Sholing 2008-09 8-0 Hamworthy United [6] Sholing Sports 1988-89 4-1 Christchurch Solent University FC >> >> See Team Solent Friday, 12 February 2021 Page 9 of 14

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

Steyning Town 1986-87 5-1 Brockenhurst Stockbridge 2009-10 6-1 AFC Aldermaston Stoneham >> >> See AFC Stoneham Swanage Town & Herston 1991-92 7-0 Sholing Sports Tadley Calleva 2014-15 9-1 East Cowes Victoria Team Solent 2017-18 6-1 Brockenhurst Thatcham Town 1992-93 9-0 Petersfield Town Totton & Eling 2015-16 7-0 Andover New Street United Services Portsmouth 2006-07 8-1 Blackfield & Langley Verwood Town 2011-12 6-0 East Cowes Victoria [7] VT FC >> >> See Sholing Warminster Town 2007-08 9-1 AFC Aldermaston Wellow 2006-07 5-0 Colden Common Wellworthy Athletic 1987-88 3-1 Brockenhurst or Romsey Town [8] Weymouth Reserves 2016-17 6-1 Pewsey Vale Whitchurch United 2010-11 8-1 Tadley Calleva Wimborne Town 1999-00 9-0 Brockenhurst City 2004-05 10-0 Hamble ASSC Yateley Green 2004-05 6-3 Fleet Spurs

NOTES [1] Won 7-3 at Folland Sports in 2017-18; so technically 6-0 is actually a better victory. [2] As Hamble ASSC. [3] Won 8-3 at New Milton Town in 2010-11; so technically 7-1 is actually a better victory. [4] As AFC Lymington. [5] Won 7-3 at Downton in 2002-03; so technically 6-0 is actually a better victory. [6] As VT FC. [7] Won 7-2 at Fleet Spurs in 2010-11; so technically 6-0 is actually a better victory. [8] Date of latest win unknown.

NOSTALGIA- THINGS AIN’T WHAT THEY USED TO BE

We make a return visit to 2016 for our weekly review, and to show weather issues is not something new, in the SENIOR CUP – the tie between Horndean and Totton & Eling was postponed for the 8th time last Thursday and will now be played at Alton Town's ground on Tuesday. Winners to face Basingstoke Town in the Quarter Final with Havant & in the Semi Final. Would it be asking too much for those who control the elements to alter their timetable in order that Fridays and Saturdays are not scheduled to have rain on a permanent basis. Another bad day for the fixtures with only five games surviving – three in the Premier Division and two in Division One. The top of the Premier Friday, 12 February 2021 Page 10 of 14

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

Division was unaffected with the clash between Blackfield and Salisbury called off as even the usually reliable Gang Warily pitch could not cope with the rain. Two of the games that were played had some bearing at the other end of the table as Follands gained a welcome point at Bemerton in a goalless draw – the Western Way side’s inconsistent season continuing after scoring seven in midweek. At Longmeadow Whitchurch claimed their highest score since gaining promotion to the Premier Division with a 7-1 victory over Alresford. The score line does not reflect the amount of possession that the losers enjoyed over the ninety minutes but they simply could not cope with the pace of the Whitchurch attack. There were six names on the home side’s scoresheet, with only Danny Phillips scoring twice, and it was a result that increased the gap in the table between the two Clubs to ten points. The third game saw Team Solent move into seventh place in the table with victory over Hamworthy United, further proof that the Students have adapted to life in the Premier Division. In Division One Alton went down for the first time in their new surroundings as Tadley won the North Hampshire “derby” by the odd goal in three whilst Stoneham, led by a Ben Clark hat-trick, won 6-1 at Downton. This was the second time in four days that the Wiltshire Club conceded six at home whilst it also represented the visitors’ highest victory in their embryonic Wessex League career. It is possibly tempting fate but the weather looks set fair for this week so hopefully some games on offer and the League’s thanks to AFC Portchester and Bournemouth for the quick re-arrangement of Saturday’s “lost” fixture.

RESULTS ROUNDUP FORTHCOMING FIXTURES Tuesday 9th February 2016 Tuesday 16th February 2016 Russell-Cotes Cup Quarter Final Premier Division AFC Portchester 3-1 Petersfield Town Alresford Town v Moneyfields Premier Division Fareham Town v Brockenhurst Bemerton Heath Harlequins 7-3 Brockenhurst Sydenhams League Cup Quarter Final Lymington Town 2-2 Whitchurch United Newport (IOW) v Sholing rd Division One Hampshire Senior Cup 3 Round Downton 0-6 Christchurch Totton & Eling v Horndean (At Alton Town FC) Wednesday 10th February 2016 Southampton Senior Cup Quarter Final Sydenhams League Cup 3rd Round Lymington Town v Team Solent [wrongly reported in the Newsletter as a Wiltshire Romsey Town v Blackfield & Langley Senior Cup tie at the time] Division One Amesbury Town 2-4 Salisbury Laverstock & Ford v East Cowes Vics Premier Division Hythe & Dibden v Portland United Fawley AFC 0-0 Verwood Town Ringwood Town v Alton Town Division One Fleet Spurs 4-2 New Milton Town Wednesday 17th February 2016 Saturday 13th February 2016 Premier Division Premier Division AFC Portchester v Bournemouth Bemerton Heath Harlequins 0-0 Folland Sports Whitchurch United v Folland Sports Team Solent 3-1 Hamworthy United Wiltshire Senior Cup Semi Final Whitchurch United 7-1 Alresford Town Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Melksham Town Division One Salisbury v Corsham Town Alton Town 1-2 Tadley Calleva Division One Downton 1-6 AFC Stoneham Andover New Street v US Portsmouth

Thursday 18th February 2016 Premier Division Moneyfields v Fawley AFC

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS- FEBRUARY 2021 UPDATE 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000

0

Alton

Fawley

Bashley

Downton

Horndean

Fleet Town Fleet

Shaftesbury

Christchurch

Hamble Club Hamble

Brockenhurst

CowesSports

NewportIOW

Bournemouth

Romsey Town Romsey

Folland Sports Folland

Tadley Calleva Tadley

Totton & Eling & Totton

Andover Town Andover

AFCStoneham

Fareham Town Fareham

USPortsmouth

Verwood Town Verwood

Alresford Town Alresford

PortlandUnited

HytheDibden &

AFC Portchester AFC Ringwood Town Ringwood

AmesburyTown

Lymington Town Lymington

Petersfield Town Petersfield

New Milton Town New

Laverstock & Ford Laverstock&

Whitchurch United Whitchurch

Hamworthy United Hamworthy

EastVictoria Cowes

Blackfield & Langley & Blackfield

Andover New Street New Andover Baffins Milton Rovers Baffins

Bemerton Heath H'quins BemertonHeath

Premier Division Followers +/- Year Division One Followers +/- Year AFC Portchester 4,589 687 Alton 2,698 319 AFC Stoneham 2,687 517 Andover New Street 1,693 657 Alresford Town 592 -1,488 Andover Town 2,732 199 Amesbury Town 744 -1,298 Bemerton Heath H'quins 2,371 394 Baffins Milton Rovers 3,051 527 Downton 3,303 780 Bashley 2,513 465 East Cowes Victoria 1,412 139 Blackfield & Langley 2,666 [2,666] Fawley 1,933 335 Bournemouth 2,152 313 Folland Sports 1,352 266 Brockenhurst 2,491 615 Hythe & Dibden 2,369 224 Christchurch 2,291 933 Laverstock & Ford 1,944 263 Cowes Sports 426 -1,266 New Milton Town 2,674 475 Fareham Town 3,181 478 Newport IOW 855 310 Fleet Town 3,721 214 Petersfield Town 2,940 407 Hamble Club 2,505 282 Ringwood Town 2,172 328 Hamworthy United 1,919 869 Romsey Town 2,824 506 Horndean 6,724 327 Totton & Eling 2,002 250 Lymington Town 2,269 378 US Portsmouth 2,396 484 Portland United 1,867 246 Verwood Town 2,652 274 Shaftesbury 2,364 369 Whitchurch United 1,345 290 Tadley Calleva 2,556 378

Three accounts changed in the last twelve months- Alresford Town, Amesbury Town and Cowes Sports hence those three show minus growth in the last calendar year. Newport IOW changed their account in June 2019 and is still some way behind that of the former account. Blackfield & Langley are new in since the last count so the figure of 2,666 increase is distorted. By way of comparison the League account currently stands at 7,120 which represents an increase of 991 (16%) over the year. The five with the biggest growth over the year are Hamworthy United with 82.76%, Christchurch 68.70%, Andover New Street 63.42%, Newport IOW 56.88% and Brockenhurst 32.78%. Friday, 12 February 2021 Page 12 of 14

SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

ISLE OF WIGHT GOLD CUP

Some corrections and updates have been received since the story was published in the last two editions of our Newsletter. During the period season 1957/58 up to season 1964/65 there were two competitions played following a disagreement between two Island senior clubs (Cowes and Newport) and the IWFA concerning the proceeds from the Gold cup final. Both clubs felt that the cost of bringing their players over from the mainland did not justify them entering the competition. As a result, between those years the Gold cup was played for between Island Division 1 teams including reserve teams of the Senior clubs playing in the , hence the first winners being Newport Reserves and was known as the Isle of Wight Division 1 Gold Cup, the cup played for was the original "Gold" Cup. The winners being:

1957/58 Newport Reserves 1961/62 Barton 1958/59 Parkhurst 1962/63 Seaview 1959/60 West Wight 1963/64 Brading 1960/61 Parkhurst 1964/65 Parkhurst

As the list of winners played for the "Gold" cup, then Parkhurst should replace Cowes to fall in with the other Division 1 clubs already listed in Newsletter #31. The other competition named the Isle of Wight Senior cup was open to Island based clubs playing in the Hampshire League and the trophy used was an existing silver Challenge cup. The winners being:

1957/58 Newport 1961/62 East Cowes Vics 1958/59 Sandown 1962/63 Ryde Sports 1959/60 Cowes 1963/64 Ryde Sports 1960/61 Cowes 1964/65 Cowes

All rather confusing, especially as the Senior of the two competitions lost out on playing for the Gold cup having to settle for an existing silver Challenge Cup. Thankfully since 1965/66 they are only playing one competition known as the Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup. Additionally, the 1990/91 Final was played at St George's Park, Newport on May 9. Both the 1993/94 and 1994/95 Finals were played at Smallbrook Stadium, Ryde. The 2000/01 Quarter Final Replay between Oakfield and Shanklin saw a 1-0 win for Oakfield and the Final was played on May 28 at Brading Town. In 2006/07, the missing Quarter Final result was Cowes Sports 4-0 Shanklin. The 2010/11 Final was played at Cowes Sports and the 2011/12 one was on May 9 at Newport. Missing First Round results from 2013/14 looked like this- East Cowes Sports 3-2 Niton; Northwood 6-1 Ryde Saints; Oakfield 2-4 Vectis Nomads and West Wight 3-1 Binstead.

Thanks to Andrew Justice, Peter Ranger and Sam Turner for providing updated and corrected information.

CLUB NEWS

Please be aware that James Crascall is the new Secretary of Fareham Town starting with immediate effect. The club are currently in the process of handing over but please note the new email address for future correspondence- [email protected] Welcome aboard James. There’s also a new Managerial appointment to announce with Dave Carter moving from former club Moneyfields to AFC Portchester during the last week, where he will be joined by his Assistant, Gavin Spurway and Coach, Brett Poate also coming across from Moneyfields.

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SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 2020/21 EDITION NUMBER 33

FOOTBALL WINTER SURVIVAL FUND - UPDATE

Following up from details already received, the League has received an update of clubs who had not applied as of 22:30 Thursday 11 February, and sadly upon checking this- 15 of our Division One sides have yet to apply whilst in the Premier Division that figure is 14. Not sure why these clubs are not applying?

AFC Stoneham Premier Division Alton Division One Alresford Town Premier Division Andover Town Division One Amesbury Town Premier Division Bemerton Heath Harlequins Division One Blackfield & Langley Premier Division East Cowes Victoria Athletic Division One Bournemouth Premier Division Folland Sports Division One Brockenhurst Premier Division Hythe & Dibden Division One Cowes Sports Premier Division Laverstock & Ford Division One Fareham Town Premier Division New Milton Town Division One Fleet Town Premier Division Newport (IOW) Division One Hamble Club Premier Division Petersfield Town Division One Hamworthy United Premier Division Ringwood Town Division One Lymington Town Premier Division Romsey Town Division One Shaftesbury Premier Division Totton & Eling Division One Tadley Calleva Premier Division United Services Portsmouth Division One Whitchurch United Division One

So, in order to assist those clubs who may need some more time in preparing their application, I am pleased to announce, that following conversation with Sport , the closing date for applications has been pushed back and will now close on Wednesday, 17th February at 23:00. As a reminder if any club is requiring assistance, please direct them to the FAQ page on the fund website or email [email protected] – The FA Club Consultants are also on hand to assist and support clubs too. We would strongly recommend that clubs do apply.

THE LAST WORD

We heard on Friday as regards the following: “ Step 3 to 6 update We wish to provide the following update to Clubs in relation to the potential continuation or curtailment of the 2020/21 season at Steps 3 to 6 of the National League System (NLS). The Alliance Committee (Steps 3 & 4) and Leagues Committee (Steps 5 & 6) met on 8 and 9 February, respectively, to discuss the data that was collated following the recent surveys circulated to Clubs at this level of the game. During discussions, the Committees acknowledged the likelihood that the Prime Minister will set out a ‘roadmap’ to the nation on 22 February as to how Government intend to begin to reduce the current COVID- 19 restrictions. Given that any such update from the Government on 22 February may provide the Committees with additional, relevant information to help determine the preferred route forward, they have agreed to reconvene after this date. In addition, the Alliance Committee are also conscious of the ongoing process the National League (Steps 1 & 2) are undertaking and the potential impact this could have on any actions the Committee may choose to take. We will provide an update in due course.”

This is all we have heard, and we will keep our member clubs advised on news as and when we are able.

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