To all players, officials and supporters of the Sydenhams Football League and its members may we wish you a Merry Christmas

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1 WELCOME TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER. If you have anything to contribute, please do get in You can keep up to date with all the news from around the League by following us on Twitter at - over 3,600 of you have!! To all players, officials and supporters of the Sydenhams Football League and its members may we wish you a Merry Christmas Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 1 of 15

2 HAT TRICK COUNT- WEEK 20 1 None midweek from just the two games played. Just the one this week. Hisham Kasimu netted all three for Team Solent in their 3-3 draw on Saturday. LEAGUE CLEAN SHEETS COUNT- WEEK 20 LEAGUE GOALS 11 COUNT- WEEK PLAYER and CLUB NEWS New arrival at Amesbury Town with the signature of Jack Roberts, and also in Wiltshire Bemerton Heath Harlequins have secured the registration of Mitch Hunt. On the transfer front Dylan Knight has moved east from Lymington Town and linked up with Fawley. New in at Anstey Park- youngsters Jack Chandler and Jordan Brooks have come in for Alton on work experience from Portsmouth Academy, an interesting fact is that 8 of the starting eleven on Saturday were aged 20 or under. More new signings for the Planemakers- James Bergin a winger from Verwood Town, midfielder Luke Ryman from Gosport Borough and striker Andy Brown has stepped up from Clanfield to join Folland Sports. We hear that Liam Robinson s goal in Blackfield & Langley s win midweek was their 100 th competitive goal for the Watersiders this season. Striker Dan Mason (pictured rightthanks to Greg Dickson) completed his 300 th appearance for Sholing in their game on Saturday. He added a couple to his goal tally as well in the 3-1 win. With over 120 goals from those appearances that is an impressive return. Elsewhere, with the deadline to apply a fortnight away, news is that former club Stockbridge have made application to step up to our League again for the start of the new season. Sad news to end this piece in that we heard this morning of the passing of former professional goalkeeper Mike Turner. Well known on the local Poole circuit- but in particular with his association with Hamworthy United- our thoughts go to family and friends at this sad time. Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 2 of 15

3 ENGLAND WORLD CUP 2018 AND TUNISIA When England face Tunisia in Volgograd next Summer in the group stage of the World Cup it will be only the third ever meeting between the two Countries. The first was a Friendly International in Tunis in 1990 which finished in a one all draw (England s goal was scored by Steve Bull remember him?) and the second in the group stages of the 1998 World Cup when goals from Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes gave England victory. Tunisia are 27th in the FIFA World rankings in between Costa Rica and Slovakia - and this will be the fifth time they have reached the Final stages of the World Cup. Up until 1954 they were considered part of France before entering in their own right in 1962, 1970 and 1974 without progressing to the Finals. They did not enter the 1966 Tournament, being one of over thirty African Nations who boycotted the event in protest at a change in the Qualifying procedures which was considered deeply unfair by those concerned. Their first appearance in the Finals was in 1978 in Argentina when they finished last in their group but defeated Mexico three one and to this day that remains their only victory in the Group stages of the World Cup. In 1998, 2002 and 2006 they achieved one point on each occasion with draws against Romania, Belgium and Saudi Arabia and now, twelve years later, they have a chance to improve on that record. Their only major International success was the winning of the African Cup of Nations in 2004 beating Morocco in the Final. Football is far and away the most popular sport in Tunisia and domestically there appear to be three National Divisions with relegation and promotion three up and three down between the top two. Division One boasts only fourteen Clubs which means there is roughly a twenty per cent chance of being relegated. The current Champions are a Club called Esperance Sportivo de Tunis who, as the name suggests, are based in Tunis and have been the most successful Club in the Country s history, winning the League on twenty seven occasions and the Cup fifteen times. The League embraces the whole country with the furthest north Club, Bizertin, being some four hundred miles distant from Ben Guerdane in the South. Division Two has twenty Clubs with, as previously mentioned, promotion to the First Division but as to what happens below the Second Division is unclear. Division Three has 42 Clubs, split into three or four sections, depending on which website is consulted and there is seemingly no explanation as to how it works or whether the Clubs involved can aspire to the higher levels. As with Panama there appear to be virtually no Tunisian born players appearing with any success in the higher echelons of European Club football for whilst there are half a dozen listed as playing or having played in the Premiership, they were all born in and represent other African Countries on the International stage. Possibly they perhaps played Club football in Tunisia at some stage. There is some mention of a certain Wahbi Kazri who played a handful of games for Sunderland, but one suspects only the real diehard fans at the Stadium of Light will remember him and probably not very fondly as it was during their last relegation season. It is certain that Tunisia will enjoy being back on the highest stage next June when they meet England at Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) - where unexploded wartime bombs were found during the construction of the Stadium for the Tournament! England awaits. On Saturday December 9th The Southampton Sports Echo, universally known as "The Pink" appeared for the last time. The League would like to express their thanks to Wendy Gee and her colleagues for the first-class coverage given to the League over many seasons which we are sure has been beneficial to many. It will be missed! Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 3 of 15

4 CLUB OF THE MONTH AWARDS- NOVEMBER 2017 BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS First Division AFC STONEHAM The Kappa MJM Sports Respect Awards for November 2017 AFC PORTCHESTER First Division AFC STONEHAM NORTH HANTS SENIOR CUP 2017/18- THE STORY SO FAR 2016/17 WINNERS- Fleet Town 1 st Round Stockbridge 2-3 South Wonston Swifts Tadley Calleva Reserves - Overton United Reserves 2 nd Round Alresford Town Reserves - South Wonston Swifts Andover Town - Winchester Castle Reserves Basingstoke Town - Whitchurch United Basingstoke Town Reserves - Winchester Castle Fleet Town - Tadley Calleva Reserves or Overton United Reserves Overton United - Alresford Town Tadley Calleva - Winchester City Reserves Winchester City - Andover New Street MIDWEEK RESULTS ROUND UP MIDWEEK REPORTS Tuesday 12 December 2017 Blackfield & Langley 6-0 Brockenhurst 75 Sam Griffin 27, 32 Liam Robinson 45 Franklyn Clarke 75, 90 Rico Wilson 82 Newport (IoW) 0-1 Sholing 89 Marvin McLean 52 Keith Legg writes NEWPORT IOW 0-1 SHOLING The Newport pitch looked in good condition, despite the recent frosts and heavy rain. It was certainly soft underfoot, but both teams started the game playing it around on the deck, with Sholing creating the first chance when Dan Mason spun and got to the by-line, but his cross zipped across the 6 yard box, evading everyone. He then got his head to a swung in cross by Brewster, but the striker's flick header going narrowly over. Newport's best moves going forward came from Connor Kelly, who started this season at Sholing. A couple of shots flashed wide from the home team, but nothing to trouble Gosney. Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 4 of 15

5 Jack Smith went close to a rare goal, but his looping header following a big scramble in the box, dropped onto the roof of the net. Sholing were denied a penalty on 21 mins when Dan Mason's goal bound flick appeared to hit the outstretched hand of a Newport defender, but the Referee played on. The home side's best chance of the half, saw their big striker, Beya, run into space on the left side of the area, but he blazed his shot over the angle of the woodwork. For the last 10 minutes of the First half, it was all Sholing and Dan Mason in particular, will be wondering how he didn't get on the scoresheet in a mad couple of minutes, he was put clear to run at the keeper, his first shot was saved by Gary Streeter as was his follow up. Then quickly after, a ball across to the forward seemed to only need a tap in at the far post, but the normally lethal striker decided not to take it first time and as he tried to get it onto his right foot, he was closed down. HT 0-0 Second half started as the first had finished, with Sholing perhaps trying to walk the ball into the net, with players teeing each other up instead of getting a first time shot away. With the rain now lashing down, 5 minutes into the half, Iain Calder decided to add more fire power to the attack, sending on Lee Wort for Brewster and it immediately paid dividends. Lee Wort cut into space inside the area, got off a shot, that spun up off a defender, but nicely into the path of Marvin McLEAN, who had arrived from the left wing into the 6 yard box to score. Boatmen went looking for the second goal, Bulpitt (who had replaced the booked & lectured Jack Smith) smashed a shot just over and then from a corner, the ball dropped to Pete Castle, but his off balance shot was smothered by Streeter. Lee Wort was causing problems for the home defence running at them and he came close to grabbing a goal when Byron Mason set him up inside the box, but his angled shot smacked off the crossbar. As you would expect, the home side piled on late pressure, but unlike in other recent Boatmen matches, there was to be no wonder goal to deny us, as Newport's two best openings saw shots on the turn go high and wide. Sholing saw out 5 minutes of added time to get a deserved win for a hard-working performance and good shift by all the players. Also, our 17th clean sheet of the season. FT 0-1 Mike Robins writes BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY 6-0 BROCKENHURST An emphatic win for the Watersiders in tonight s match played in persistent cold rain almost from the off. It took some time for the deadlock to be broken though. Blackfield captain Sam Poole had two decent headers from corners inside the first ten minutes but the Badgers defence were able to keep the ball out, a defender hacked the first attempt to safety off the goalline, and Kitcher saved the second dropping on the ball in a packed area. The opening goal came on 27 minutes through Sam GRIFFIN. Blackfield doubled their lead some five minutes later when GRIFFIN grabbed his second. A low shot inside the near post that perhaps Kitcher should have dealt with. Sheedy nearly got one back for the visitors, latching on to a loose ball inside the penalty area, but could only fire his shot tamely wide of the target. The former Team Solent winger also created a chance as time ran out in the first period cutting in from the left but couldn t make the crucial delivery count. Blackfield extended their lead on the stroke of half time through Liam ROBINSON with a free header having got ahead of his marker from a corner. HT 3-0 Brockenhurst started the second period with more purpose and had they scored in that opening spell it may have been a different story, but the chances never came and their best chance came on 54 minutes when Casey found himself through on goal but couldn t hit the target. Blackfield made it 4-0 on 75 when sub Franklyn CLARKE had an unchallenged solo run from close to half way rounding Kitcher for an easy tap in. Eight minutes later it was another goal, from another substitute, when Rico WILSON swept home a low cross in from Robinson from close range. In the dying minutes the hosts grabbed a sixth with another CLARKE strike, this time from close to the dugout cover curling a ball into the top right corner of the goal at the Clubhouse end of the ground. FT 6-0. Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 5 of 15

6 ATTENDANCE COMPARISONS UPDATE TEAM 1617 AVGE 1718 AVGE +/- +/- AS A % AFC Portchester % AFC Stoneham % Alresford Town % Alton % Amesbury Town % Andover New Street % Andover Town % Baffins Milton Rovers % Bashley % Bemerton Heath Harlequins % Blackfield & Langley % Bournemouth % Brockenhurst % Christchurch % Cowes Sports % Downton % East Cowes Victoria % Fareham Town % Fawley % Folland Sports % Hamble Club % Hamworthy United % Horndean % Hythe & Dibden % Laverstock & Ford % Lymington Town % New Milton Town % Newport (IoW) % Petersfield Town % Portland United % Ringwood Town % Romsey Town % Shaftesbury % Sholing % Tadley Calleva % Team Solent % Totton & Eling % United Services Portsmouth % Verwood Town % Whitchurch United % Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 6 of 15

7 AFC Portchester AFC Stoneham Alresford Town Alton Amesbury Town Andover New Street Andover Town Baffins Milton Rovers Bashley Bemerton Heath Harlequins Blackfield & Langley Bournemouth Brockenhurst Christchurch Cowes Sports Downton East Cowes Victoria Fareham Town Fawley Folland Sports Hamble Club Hamworthy United Horndean Hythe & Dibden Laverstock & Ford Lymington Town New Milton Town Newport (IoW) Petersfield Town Portland United Ringwood Town Romsey Town Shaftesbury Sholing Tadley Calleva Team Solent Totton & Eling United Services Portsmouth Verwood Town Whitchurch United SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NEWS 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 League Account on 3,680 at time of writing TWITTER FOLLOWERS 0 Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 7 of 15

8 As we head towards the Christmas break, here is the current standings for the leagues below RANK HAMPSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Locks Heath Paulsgrove Liphook United Clanfield Infinity Sway Hayling United Stockbridge QK Southampton Liss Athletic Bush Hill Overton United Winchester Castle Fleetlands Colden Common Hedge End Rangers RANK DORSET PREMIER LEAGUE PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Hamworthy Recreation Dorchester Sports Swanage Town & Herston Westland Sports Merley Cobham Sports Gillingham Town Holt United Balti Sports Hamworthy United Reserves Mere Town Parley Sports Shaftesbury Reserves [*] Bridport Reserves Sturminster Newton United Blandford United Sherborne Town Reserves Wareham Rangers [*] Points adjustment made Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 8 of 15

9 Meanwhile, here s the standings in our league, as at today s date. RANK PREMIER DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Andover Town Blackfield & Langley Sholing Hamworthy United Alresford Town Lymington Town Horndean AFC Portchester Hamble Club Portland United Baffins Milton Rovers Shaftesbury Bemerton Heath Harlequins [*] Bournemouth Bashley Brockenhurst Fareham Town Team Solent Cowes Sports Newport (IoW) Amesbury Town Petersfield Town [*] Points adjustment made RANK FIRST DIVISION PL W D L F A GD PTS 1 Christchurch Tadley Calleva Romsey Town Andover New Street AFC Stoneham Alton Laverstock & Ford New Milton Town United Services Portsmouth Ringwood Town Downton Totton & Eling Whitchurch United Fawley East Cowes Victoria Hythe & Dibden Verwood Town Folland Sports Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 9 of 15

10 BOURNEMOUTH SENIOR CUP 2017/18 FINAL Tuesday 19 December M A Hart Stadium, Hurn Bridge Bashley vs Verwood Town GET ALONG IF YOU CAN!! 6/ 4 admission- includes programme whilst stock lasts HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP 2017/ /17 WINNERS- Basingstoke Town 3 rd Round AFC Portchester 1-0 Romsey Town Alresford Town 2-1 Hartley Wintney Eastleigh 3-1 Bournemouth Farnborough 2-2 AFC Bournemouth [1-3 pens] Hamble Club [4-3 pens] 2-2 Christchurch Moneyfields 0-3 Havant & Waterlooville Tadley Calleva 0-2 Blackfield & Langley Winchester City [5-4 pens] 3-3 Basingstoke Town Quarter Final AFC Bournemouth - Eastleigh Blackfield & Langley - AFC Portchester Havant & Waterlooville - Hamble Club Winchester City - Alresford Town The Quarter Final draw was made on Saturday evening, and here is how it affected our clubs still involved in the chase for silverware, with a guaranteed Semi Final place for one of our teams. League Development Officer Bob Purkiss presents the NOVEMBER Club of the Month AND the MJM Sports/Kappa Respect awards to AFC Stoneham Manager Tim Cox prior to their 1-0 win over New Milton Town on Saturday. Well done to all involved at the HP Arena! Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 10 of 15

11 League Finance Officer Paul Scoble presents Manager Rae Hughes and the Bemerton Secretary Andy Hardwick with the Premier Division Club of the Month award for November. Congratulations to all at the Harlequins! SATURDAY RESULTS ROUND UP Saturday 16 December 2017 Baffins Milton Rovers 1-3 Sholing 83 Jordan Neal 2 Lee Wort 13 Dan Mason 52, 64 Bashley 2-1 Shaftesbury 116 Kabba Jack 6 Ash Clarke 52 Harrison White 14 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 3-2 Newport (IoW) 40 Jake Rawkins Connor Kelly 43 Robbie Matthews Charlie Urry 53 James Lightfoot Bournemouth 2-2 Hamble Club 37 Eder Batista Nathan Lynch Nasim Meddah River Smith Brockenhurst 1-1 Amesbury Town 69 Will Tickle 3 Jordon Matthews Cowes Sports 1-1 Fareham Town 101 Harry Dye 3 Matt Andrews Horndean 0-0 Blackfield & Langley 55 Petersfield Town 0-3 Hamworthy United 27 Max Buckler Billy Walker Eddie Hodge Portland United 1-1 Alresford Town 151 Alex Halloran 90+1 Geoff Dunn 2 Team Solent 3-3 AFC Portchester 35 Hisham Kasimu 46, 50, 78 Brandon Miller Matt Morriss Andy Todd Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 11 of 15

12 First Division AFC Stoneham 1-0 New Milton Town 32 Sergio Caballero Alton 2-1 Andover New Street 118 Taylor Watts 58 Zach Neve 90 Danny Knee 84 East Cowes Victoria 1-2 United Services Portsmouth 31 Giancarlo Giancovich Liam Callaghan Lewis Beale Fawley 2-0 Laverstock & Ford 21 Martin Buckthorpe Declan Hartigan Folland Sports 0-1 Totton & Eling 23 Ryan Lomax Romsey Town 5-0 Verwood Town 72 Liam Magee [2] Dan Fox Harry Draycott Pearce Farren Tadley Calleva 0-0 Christchurch 65 Whitchurch United 3-1 Hythe & Dibden 35 Nick Yeomans [2]? Lloyd Thompson SATURDAY MATCH REPORT Paul Harris writes ALTON 2-1 ANDOVER NEW STREET Good performance by the home side to beat high-flying Andover New Street (strange to be saying that about the visitors after so many years of being near the bottom). After a goalless first half, despite good chances for both sides, the home team were clearly more dangerous after the break and deserved their win. A lively start as we saw shots over the bar from each side in the first three mins. Right-winger Knee looked lively for Alton early on, a shot just wide, a great cross that evaded all-comers, and a lovely ball that set up Watts one-on-one with the keeper, but his shot was saved. The visitors could then have scored when a good cross from the left found Neve free at the far post, but his header went wide. Yates for Andover New Street put a cross in that saw Locke's shot well blocked by impressive home keeper Boughton, Neve was then denied by a defender. At the other end Watts' pass to Paddon tried to set up Knee but his shot was saved. Sweeney then forced a save from Boughton and Yates' shot was deflected just wide before the break. HT 0-0. The second half started quietly before Knee nearly sliced a clearance into his own net. Watts was frequently breaking down the left for the home team and frequently choosing to shoot, keeper Tasker forced into a couple of saves. He also had to make a good save from a shot by Copplestone from the edge of the area. The home team were starting to get the upper hand and they got the vital first goal on 58 mins, the ball was played into Taylor WATTS, 25 yards out, who, without breaking stride, hit a tremendous shot into the far corner. The keeper didn't even move - great goal. Soon after Watts had another shot which swung just wide. Yates on the left was the most dangerous player for the visitors, one cross-shot was just wide, and he made a few good crosses that caused trouble in the home defence. There were a few scrambles, but the ball was always blocked or cleared. Alton looked dangerous on the break and Brooks nearly scored from 45 yards as he returned a clearance by the keeper, but Tasker was able to save. Another Knee cross went a-begging for the home team and a shot by Thorne for the visitors went over as we approached the final stages. On 85 mins came the decisive goal - Callard slipped in Danny KNEE down the right with a clever ball and Knee's cross was dipping over Tasker and finished up in the net despite the keeper's efforts. Knee was credited with the Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 12 of 15

13 goal. On 90 mins Knee went clear down the left but his cross was just too hard for Watts to add the third, and Brooks had a shot saved by Tasker. In injury time the ball was hooked superbly into the far corner by Zach NEVE to give Andover New Street hope, but there was no time for a further comeback. Since my last visit a couple of years ago Anstey Park has now got a big covered area on the other side from the main stand, otherwise no changes with the clubhouse next to the main stand at the entrance. Cheap hot dogs and mince pies to add to the price reduction gave a festive atmosphere to this friendly club. The 3G played quite well, both sides seemed to have adequate technique to handle it, although Alton did have a couple of spells where they preferred the long ball rather than playing it on the ground. Two Pompey academy players making their debuts for Alton today, they both played well. FIXTURES FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. Tuesday 19 December 2017 Bournemouth Senior Cup Final Bashley -v- Verwood Town Hurn Bridge Sports Ground North Hants Senior Cup 2nd Round Andover Town -v- Winchester Castle Res The Portway Stadium Wiltshire Senior Cup Quarter Final Bremhill -v- Bemerton Heath Harlequins Bremhill View (Calne Town FC) Wednesday 20 December 2017 First Division Whitchurch United -v- Tadley Calleva Longmeadow Thursday 21 December 2017 First Division United Services Portsmouth -v- Folland Sports Victory Stadium Friday 22 December 2017 AFC Portchester -v- Fareham Town Blanchard Wells Stadium Hamble Club -v- Sholing Hamble Community Facility Saturday 23 December 2017 Alresford Town -v- Petersfield Town Arlebury Park Andover Town -v- Shaftesbury The Portway Stadium Bemerton Heath Harlequins -v- Portland United The Clubhouse Blackfield & Langley -v- Bournemouth Gang Warily Brockenhurst -v- Bashley Meadens Skoda Arena Hamworthy United -v- Amesbury Town The County Ground Horndean -v- Baffins Milton Rovers Five Heads Park Lymington Town -v- Newport (IoW) The Sports Ground Team Solent -v- Cowes Sports Test Park First Division AFC Stoneham -v- Verwood Town The HP Arena Andover New Street -v- Romsey Town Foxcotte Park Fawley -v- Hythe & Dibden LB Roofing Arena Laverstock & Ford -v- Downton The Dell New Milton Town -v- Ringwood Town Fawcetts Field Totton & Eling -v- Alton Little Testwood Farm Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 13 of 15

14 Tuesday 26 December 2017 <<<< NOTE: 11:30 Kick off Newport (IoW) -v- Cowes Sports St Georges Park Friday 29 December 2017 AFC Portchester -v- Horndean Blanchard Wells Stadium Saturday 30 December 2017 Andover Town -v- Alresford Town The Portway Stadium Baffins Milton Rovers -v- Hamworthy United The Kendall Stadium Bournemouth -v- Team Solent Victoria Park Fareham Town -v- Bemerton Heath Harlequins Cams Alders Hamble Club -v- Blackfield & Langley Hamble Community Facility Lymington Town -v- Brockenhurst The Sports Ground Portland United -v- Bashley Weyline Stadium Shaftesbury -v- Amesbury Town Cockrams Sholing -v- Petersfield Town The Universal Stadium First Division Downton -v- Andover New Street Brian Whitehead Sports Ground East Cowes Victoria -v- Romsey Town Beatrice Avenue Fawley -v- Totton & Eling LB Roofing Arena New Milton Town -v- Christchurch Fawcetts Field Ringwood Town -v- Verwood Town Martin & Co. Stadium Tadley Calleva -v- Folland Sports Barlows Park As always, games are subject to change at short notice. Follow us for all the latest news especially over the holiday period! PREMIER DIVISION FIRST DIVISION Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 14 of 15

15 Having practised at the weekend and caused three postponements, the weather doubled that number on Tuesday though some, with respect, were in the lesser Cup Competitions. However, the League Cup Tie between Hamble Club and Alresford was one of the casualties as was the Bournemouth Senior Cup Final at Hurn Bridge which has been re-scheduled for this coming Tuesday. Just two games were played, both in the, and both involving Clubs at the top of the table. Blackfield & Langley used their game in hand on leaders Andover Town to reduce the points difference between them to seven points with a comprehensive six nil defeat of Brockenhurst at Gang Warily two goals apiece for Sam Griffin and Franklyn Clarke whilst a lone Marvin Mclean goal at Newport was enough to give Sholing all three points and move them into third place on goal difference over Lymington. A chilly Saturday but thankfully only one postponement at leaders Andover Town where the Portway suffered as usual with the frost in the area below the Clubhouse. Blackfield & Langley narrowed the gap with Andover by one point as their run of four wins ended with a goalless draw at Horndean but the top two still are away from the chasing pack whose positions change week by week. Draws were very much the vogue in the on the day but Sholing regained third place with a three one victory at Baffins Milton Rovers two goals for Dan Mason after the home side opened the scoring- while Hamworthy won for the fifth time in six matches after scoring three without reply at bottom Club Petersfield. Lymington were out of action due to the postponement and Alresford, after scoring in the opening minutes, drew one all at Portland. This was the home Club s fourth draw in a row though some consolation in that not for the first time this season they recorded the highest attendance. Hamble Club topped the 50 goal mark in the League with a two all draw at Bournemouth whilst there was another very early goal at Cowes, scored by the home side, but a Fareham equaliser ensured a share of the points. It was a similar tale at Brockenhurst where the home side scored in the opening minutes only for Amesbury to battle back for a point. The WEEK TWENTY ROUND UP with John Gorman attendance at Bashley topped the 100 mark just and the home supporters amongst the crowd no doubt enjoyed the two one win over Shaftesbury leaving just two games that on a day when goals were at something of a premium were the highest scoring in the Division. Bemerton beat Newport by the odd goal in five while there were six goals at Test Park shared equally between Team Solent and AFC Portchester with Hisham Kasimu claiming all three for the home side, the only hat trick of the day. Team Solent, like Hamble Club also topped the fifty mark for the season. So Andover remain six points clear, now with a game in hand, and with Amesbury the only side in the bottom three to gain a point there is little change either at the other end of the Table. The top game in Division 1 ended in stalemate as Christchurch s run of six wins ended with a goalless draw at Tadley but the point gained was enough to seem them lead the table at the end of the day. Alton heavily promoted their fixture with a Christmas theme and were rewarded with a 100+ attendance and three points against Andover New Street. This ended a run of six wins for the visitors in what was a very entertaining and well contested ninety minutes. A lone goal from Sergio Caballero for AFC Stoneham sent New Milton to their first defeat in eight matches whilst East Cowes suffered their first loss in seven matches as US Portsmouth returned to the mainland with a two one victory. Romsey bounced back after last weeks defeat with a five goal defeat of Verwood with two goals from Liam Magee and Fawley gained an impressive two goal victory over Laverstock and Ford, the latter still striving to find consistent form. Totton & Eling made it three wins in a row by scoring the only goal of the game at Follands whilst Whitchurch recorded their first victory for five games with a three one home success over Hythe & Dibden. Hopefully the Whitchurch faithful will have noted that their former striker Sam Argent scored five goals for Basingstoke in the Southern League! Things really are tight at the top with Christchurch having a single point advantage over Tadley, Romsey and Andover New Street and just five points covering the top eight. Not quite so tight at the bottom however with Verwood and Follands six and seven points adrift respectively as Christmas looms on the horizon. Sunday, 17 December /18 Edition #27 Page 15 of 15