Thursday night football: New Milton Town’s escape bid hits snag, Hythe & Dibden marched into cup final, and Fawley AFC, Blackfield & Langley and Totton & Eling all lose

FIVE local Wessex League sides were in action last night (Thursday), with the evening’s big result being New Milton Town’s defeat, meaning their league destiny is no longer in their own hands.

The Linnets could still complete an extraordinary escape – eight weeks ago, they were rock-bottom with two points and now have 33 points – but they will need to better Frimley Green’s result on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Hythe & Dibden beat neighbours Fawley AFC in a thrilling Southampton Senior Cup semi-final which went to a penalty shootout, and Blackfield & Langley and Totton & Eling both lost.

With the 2-0 defeat to second-placed Downton, New Milton Town missed out on the chance to escape the relegation zone for the first time all season.

Linnets manager Ben Hatch, who has masterminded the side’s incredible reversal of fortune, saw his team make the better start against a strong Downton line-up.

In goal, Downton’s Luke Haviland had to be alert to repel a few early scares before his side drew first blood, with TJ Moseley banging a rebound past keeper Jeremy James after rattling the woodwork.

Joe Smith then added a second before the break, and although the New Milton lads put a massive shift in the second half, the score remained unaltered.

Incidentally, New Milton Town and Frimley Green, who both sit on 33 points, will take on Fleetlands and East Cowes Victoria, who both sit on 72 points, in their final games.

After a 1-1 draw in their Southampton Senior Cup match, Hythe & Dibden progressed thanks to a 4-2 shootout victory over Fawley AFC, earning a final against either AFC Totton or Brockenhurst.

Despite playing in the division below, the Oilers took the game to Hythe early, with Indrit Elezi bagging the first goal after 17 minutes. His superb effort was unsavable, coming off the post and nestling in the back of the net.

Hythe’s increasing pressure looked like it would run out of time, but side stalwart Christos Papakonstantinou had other ideas, finding a way past Jamie Bruce with just 10 minutes left.

Fawley missed their first two penalties and, despite Bruce saving Hythe’s third, that was enough to cause their downfall.

Blackfield & Langley succumbed 2-0 to Sherborne Town, and Totton & Eling fell to Andover Town by three unanswered goals.