Match report: Wessex League sides in action as Fawley AFC beat Totton & Eling 3-0, Ringwood Town FC beat Verwood Town FC 4-0, Hythe & Dibden drew 1-1 with Baffins Milton Rovers FC and Christchurch FC drew 2-2 with Sherborne Town FC

FIVE local sides featured in Wessex League midweek football, with Fawley AFC’s desperate fight for league survival taking a massive boost and mostly positive results all around.

The only losers were Totton & Eling, who lost 3-0 to neighbours Fawley, while Ringwood Town won 4-0, with Hythe & Dibden and Christchurch both sealing draws.

Fawley’s triumph moved them within two points of Wessex League Division One safety after taking a remarkable 14 points from their last seven games in a stretch that has seen them lose once while winning four games and drawing two.

The match was a one-sided affair, with the goals coming from midfield dynamo James Clifton, stalwart captain Dec Hartigan and Zac Willis, who came off the bench to grab the third goal.

“I was far from happy with our first-half performance”, said Fawley AFC boss Lee Shepherd. “I felt we were overthinking everything, and to be fair to Totton, they probably had the best of the half. I feel that a red card for both teams just before half-time worked in our favour more than theirs.

He added: “We started the second half much better, played on the front foot, and took control of the game. We should have scored more in the second half, but I think Saturday took a lot out of the lads.

“A positive second half, and we now rest up and turn our focus to Saturday at home to Newport.”

Ringwood Town won and took the New Forest bragging rights, defeating their neighbours comprehensively with a four-goal margin that confirmed bottom place and relegation from Wessex League Division One for Verwood Town.

The win leaves Fran Mathers’ in-form Ringwood Town team two points off, snatching the final promotion play-off place after suffering just one loss in the last nine games.

Lee Vint – who took his tally to 31 goals in 36 games – scored a brace, while long-time Ringwood Town servant Ben Harris and Matt Steer scored the other two.

“We knew Verwood would be up for the game”, said Ringwood Town manager Mathers, adding: “And to be honest, there wasn’t too much between the sides in the first half.

“Three outrageous finishes from Vint, Harris, and Steer sealed the points for a comfortable win in the end. Credit to Verwood, who gave it their all, and I genuinely hope there’s a way of preserving their Wessex League status. The league is stronger with decent clubs like Verwood in it.

“It’s unlikely we make the play-offs, we know, and we’re relying on other results now, but until it’s mathematically impossible, we’ll keep chipping away. I’m so proud of my players and staff. The progress we’ve made this season is stunning.”

In front of 97 fans at the Hythe Garage Stadium, Hythe & Dibden took the lead after just 11 minutes when Ollie Davies finished calmly at the back post to tuck the ball past oncoming goalkeeper Roux Hardcastle.

Hythe had chances to double the lead, but with a minute of the half left, a poor challenge on Jason Parish left the referee with no other option than to point at the spot. Parish dusted himself off and provided a cool finish into the bottom left corner.

Louis Thompson almost sealed a Hythe win with eight minutes left, but Hardcastle’s quick response denied him, and although Baffins pilled on the pressure late on, Hythe took a well-earned point.

“It was a decent point”, said Hythe & Dibden chief Rich Morse. “The lads were excellent and really committed to the game plan and showed the quality we have in the squad.

“It was a good finish from Ollie Davies to get us the lead, but then we were pegged back when they scored a penalty.

“We could have nicked it at the end, but their keeper pulled off a great save to stop the shot from Louie Thompson.”

Christchurch came from behind to lead against Sherborne Town, but a late goal left the two sides sharing the Wessex League Premier Division spoils.

The Zebras took the lead through a towering header from Sam Farthing after 10 minutes, but Joe Freak and Jamie Webber scored either side of half-time to make it 2-1. Unfortunately for the hosts, Ant Herrin found a way past Ben Rodwell in the 82nd minute.

Hythe & Dibden took a decent point at home against Baffins Milton Rovers, who slipped out of the promotion play-off places after failing to win.