THE WESSEX LEAGUE PREVIEW

In midweek Division One saw Newport IOW score three without reply to maintain top spot- 70 points from 29 games. Downton against Andover New Street was decided by a single goal with around 15 minutes remaining in favour of the Hampshire side. They moved into second spot on the back of this one. Hamworthy Recreation stay fifth having just shared two goals and the points at Amesbury but have a two-point cushion over sixth placed Downton.

Andover New Street returned to the top of the table by going one better over midtable Millbrook. Ross Cook takes the accolades with a four-goal salvo.

Petersfield were another team to enjoy hitting six, but Verwood must feel fairly aggrieved to hit three at home in that same match and not get something out of it. Fleetlands stay seventh ten points behind sixth, but with five games in hand.

Then on Saturday, the promotion race continues apace, four of the top five picked up the three points. The only side to taste defeat was Newport IOW at Magna Road. Hamworthy Recreation came from behind to win 4-1 a win that sees them open up a five-point gap over sixth placed Downton. The Robins went down by the odd goal of three at Whitchurch.

New Milton Town hit five without reply against out of form Folland Sports and are the first in the division to hit a century of goals this term, whilst

The scrap at the other end saw the bottom two both losing, whilst both Amesbury Town and East Cowes Victoria shared two goals and the points in their matches, but Ringwood and Whitchurch both won.

All this means that two wins separate 15th from 19th. The race to avoid the bottom three continues to be a competitive area.