Blackfield & Langley FC go top of Southern Division One

BLACKFIELD & Langley manager Glenn Howes is convinced pocket dynamo Owen Fee can have a “great future” in the game.

Fee completed the scoring as the Watersiders climbed to the top of the table after triumphing 3-0 against Hellenic League champions Thatcham at Gang Warily on Saturday.

The diminutive frontman, on as a first-half substitute for Conner Doe, added to goals from leading scorer Rudy Plummer and Pip Nolan as Blackfield made it four league wins on the trot.

Fee penned an academy contract with Southampton while still at infant school before signing a scholarship with National League outfit Eastleigh. He spent last season on loan at Lymington.

Howes told the A&T: “Owen was at Eastleigh for two years but, unfortunately, he didn’t get a pro deal there. He dual registered with Lymington last season and did exceptionally well.

“He has been a little frustrated this season in terms of the number of minutes he has played. He is an infectious character and wants to play every minute of every game. He has played a large chunk.

“Owen is a very good technical footballer who has quite a bit to learn. Physically, he is still adjusting to men’s football and the Southern League style. He is listening and learning all the time and has a great future. It was great to see him have a very positive impact on the game against Thatcham.”

Asked whether he felt Fee could climb the non-league ladder, Howes said: “With respect to Owen, physically he is going to develop a little later than some other players but there is no doubting his ability when he has the ball.

“I think he is going to develop into a very good number eight whereas he has played on the left and as a number 10 for a bit of his career. It is working on the position which is going to benefit him and he will have half a chance if he continues to learn and develop.

“It might be a little later than some other players or a little later than he would like but I can see him growing with the club or, if he outgrows the club, good luck to him because he has a bright future, that’s for sure.”