Mid-week football round-up: New Milton Town fight on as Blackfield & Langley end as the night’s only winners amid defeats for Bashley, Brockenhurst, Hythe & Dibden, Totton & Eling and AFC Fawley

IN what turned out to be a miserable night for local sides, Blackfield & Langley were the night’s only victors, with New Milton Town the only other side to avoid defeat.

The Watersiders beat Bournemouth Poppies to move level on points with them, while The Linnets kept their fight for league survival alive with a draw.

On the other side of the coin, Bashley again confused their fans with their chaotic form, losing 2-0, while Brockenhurst, Hythe & Dibden, Totton & Eling and AFC Fawley also tasted defeat.

Bash’s recent home record now reads just one point from the last five games, while they have won their last four away.

The evening began brightly and Luke Delaney’s inswinging cross found Max Wilcock unmarked, who made a clean header that looked like it would loop over the goalkeeper.

However, Lewis Clayton pulled off an agile backwards save to claw the ball to safety.

With 11 minutes on the clock, Cleeve won a free kick 30 yards out and central to the goal. It seemed a long way out, but somehow, Toby Holland sent it fizzing through the wall and past the unsighted Ross Casey.

Bashley’s final act of the half came from Jamie Johnston. Cutting in from the right, he launched it left-footed, but in-form Clayton gathered cleanly.

After the break, Cleeve put some daylight into the scoreline. Archie Haskayne got the better of Casey and his defence, tapping in a well-taken free kick.

Then it took a typically superb tackle by Brad Morris to prevent a third goal ten minutes later. The highly-rated Jay Malshanskjyi was heading for goal when the Bashley skipper lunged in to win the ball, and the match ended with no further goals.

New Milton Town moved closer to completing their great escape, taking a point off 10th-placed Folland Sports.

With 22 games played, The Linnets looked dead and buried with just two points, but 14 games later, they have collected an extra 25 points and are now six points away from safety.

After a cagey goalless draw with a talented Folland side, they turn their sights upon a winnable game against fellow strugglers Ash United.

Blackfield & Langley left it late to snatch all three points against Bournemouth Poppies, with Nandom Yamba coming off the bench and scoring a spectacular goal.

The Poppies went close to scoring on multiple occasions, with Ollie Harrison earning the man-of-the-match award for his heroics.

But once Yamba entered the fray, he created threat after threat until he collected the ball and expertly lobbed the keeper, grabbing his first goal for the club with a stunning winner.

Brockenhurst slipped out of the promotion play-off places after a 2-0 loss to midtable Fareham Town.

The Badgers have been in the top five since the first week of September, but they now have two games left to force their way back into contention.

The Badgers fought hard throughout, and it took two exceptional goals to breach their defence.

First, Jamie Truckell dribbled past five players before firing home, and then Charlie Cooper lobbed the keeper from 40 yards out.

Hythe & Dibden were the latest victims of second-placed AFC Stoneham, who have collected 92 points so far.

Hythe had navigated their way to the 53rd minute without conceding, but the floodgates opened once Jim Orvis fired home from the penalty spot.

Fawley AFC and Totton & Eling both fell victim to teams from the Isle of Wight, with The Oilers succumbing 1-0 to Newport after a 75th-minute strike, while The Millers were smashed for six by East Cowes Victoria.