Ecstasy for Havant & Horndean but misery piles on for Gosport & Petersfield:
It has been another blockbuster weekend in the Local Footballing scene with a double header of fixtures for our local sides. For the Hawks, Bognor, Gosport and Money’s they faced the dreaded Saturday/Monday double header whilst the sides in the Wessex League played on Tuesday Night.
Havant & Waterlooville 4-0 Whitehawk:
For Havant and Waterlooville they have enjoyed a fabulous start to life back in the Vanarama National League South. Following a tough month of fixtures they lie in 4th with 14 points in the kitty.
But yesterday they faced Whitehawk a side who have endured a fruitless start to their league season and it would get no better against the Westleigh Park based side. The Hawks would show professionalism throughout with manager Lee Bradbury’s last words being “it’s not a formality”. And although the game was not a formality the professional manner in which the Hawks displayed especially throughout the first half of the encounter did make it seem so.
They would get of to a blistering start Jason Prior getting on the scoresheet after just 8 minutes. It would be followed up by Alfie Rutherford’s strike which would be the 19 year old’s first goal in the National League South. When Andreas Robinson was bought to ground to ground, Jason Prior stepped up to score his 2nd and the Hawks’ 3rd.
The Hawks were at this point toying with the visitors with the only disappointment was that it was not more than the final score. But another thing that would impress Lee Bradbury was the fact that substitute George Barker would get on the scoresheet with a peach within 60 seconds of coming on.
Next up is an away trip to Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday. A game I’m in the commentary box for.
Bognor Regis Town 0-1 Eastbourne Borough
The big headline before kick-off at Nyewood Lane on Saturday would be the return of former boss Jamie Howell who lead the rocks to a play-off promotion last term before leaving in when he said to me “when the time was right.”
A warm reception would great him before kick-off but that would not last long as Kane Wills’ strike after 72 minute would be enough to earn the Sports all 3 points. But it would be the icing of what was a poor Bank Holiday weekend with a 0 points return sliding them down to 10th spot in the National League South table following what was a very promising start to life in the 6th tier.
But if anything was shown last season it was their bounce-back ability and that will be put to the test as they face league leaders Chelmsford City away in Essex on Saturday Afternoon being a stiff test for the Rocks’ National South potential.
Gosport Borough 0-8 Basingstoke
When you think it couldn’t get any worse for Gosport Borough it somehow does as they faced yet another embarrassing defeat at Privett Park against local rivals Basingstoke Town. It would leave Gosport bottom of the table with a goal difference at the end of August of -17.
And it would not be the case either that they would have a period to settle in as the Camrose side would get their first goal after just 2 minutes. The Boro would concede two more to go into the half-time interval 3 down.
And it would get no better after that period as they leak in another 5 goals to pour on the misery for Alex Pike’s side. And you just hope for the fans that the situation sorts itself out. The change of board is slowly restoring trust with the supporters and are the last hope that Gosport have. In the words of their former assistant manager Shaun Wilkinson “if anyone’s going to be successful it will be them.”
Fleet Town 1-4 Moneyfields
There has been no such thing as adjusting to life in the Southern League for Moneyfields as they enjoyed a fantastic 4-1 win over Fleet Town away from home.
After falling behind on 16 minutes they would only be behind for a matter of a minute as Ryan Pennery continued his scintillating start to the season to level the scores. Then a matter of moments later Money’s would go in-front as Bailey from 20 yards out smashed the ball past the Fleet goalkeeper to turn the tables in that match. Despite pushing and pushing for a third, it would stay at two at the interval.
After pressing at the start of the second period they would get their third as veteran Brett Poate’s free kick from 20 yards out which the goalkeeper has no chance of reaching. But they would still not be content with the score being 3-1 as they once more kept pressing and pressing for a fourth and they would get it right at the very death when Billy Connor chipped the onrushing goalkeeper to put the gloss on an impressive afternoon for the Money’s.
It would leave them 2nd in the table with only goal difference separating them from the top spot in the league. For them next up is Cinderford Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Wessex League round-up:
The misery pilled on for Petersfield Town tonight as they lost 7-0 at home to Arlesford Town with that scoreline representing only half of the story. They would go into the half time interval 6-0 down. But credit where credits due as they dug in during the second half ensuring only 1 goal was shipped in following a fruitless first half display.
In the Portsmouth derby at the Kendall Stadium Horndean thrashed high-flying Baffins Milton Rovers 5-1. Horndean who bolster a highly impressive squad and those at Michael Birmingham’s dispersal fired on all cylinders tonight. Following a first after 5 minutes a matter of seconds later they would double their advantage through a well taken Jackson effort. Before half-time they would make it three as Miles Everett put the ball into the box with his effort headed home by Jackson once more.
The second half would see the deans press home their advantage but it would take until 20 minutes from time for the fourth as Jack Maloney ball which was meant for Jackson went into the back of the net to make it 4. Baffins would pull one back as the ball goes into the Rovers box with them slotting the ball home. But Horndean would make it 5 when Miles Everett scored his brace.
Overall:
Life in the local scene is a true rollercoaster at the moment. The Hawks and Moneyfields loving life and thriving after recent promotion. Gosport and Petersfield will once more be looking for the recipe for success as they face further problems with Baffins looking to dust themselves down and show the result tonight was a blip as Horndean look to progress in the Wessex Prem.
Henry Deacon
Henry Deacon Media 