PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH | FINAL WEEKEND REVIEW

All of the drama

The final weekend of the Pitching In Southern League Premier South season brought plenty of drama.

AFC Totton held on to runners-up spot thanks to a good 4-0 away win at Dorchester Town. The evergreen Scott Rendell helped himself to a hat-trick as Ethan Taylor got the other as they finished ahead of Salisbury who completed a 2-0 triumph over Hanwell Town thanks to first half strikes from Noah Coppin and Josh Hedges.

Even a 4-2 victory over Champions, Chesham United, was not enough for Gosport Borough as they had to be content with a third-place berth. Jordan Edwards fired the visitors ahead early on only for Daniel Hollands and Daniel Wooden to turn the scoreline around by the midway stage of the first half.
Parity was soon restored through Eoin Casey but Gerson Da Costa Ramos had Gosport back in front going into the interval. A last-minute effort from Alexandr Barsa settled matters.

The race for the final play-off place was edged by Bracknell Town who were held 3-3 at home by Hayes & Yeading United. This game came alive after the break when Ralph Vigrass opened the scoring for the home side and then Haydon Vaughan doubled the advantage.

Quickfire goals from Mo Bettamer and Tommy Wood drew the sides level with just under ten minutes to go. Jordan Esprit regained the lead for the hosts but there was still time for Bettamer to snatch a leveller in stoppage time.

It was not enough to save Hayes & Yeading United from relegation, whilst Bracknell take the last play-off place by a point from Merthyr Town whose 7-1 romp over Harrow Borough was all in vein. Thomas Handley put the Welshmen ahead within the opening minute and whilst the visitors soon equalised, Ricardo Rees and Olly Mehew soon gave them a two-goal advantage.

There was still time for Rees to add another goal before the break before he went on to score three more in the second half to take his personal tally to five.

Joining Hayes & Yeading United in relegation are Beaconsfield Town who were held at home by Plymouth Parkway, who survived on goal difference. Dylan Jones drew first blood for the visitors just past the hour only for James Dobson to level matters eight minutes later but it wasn’t enough to save his side.

That is because Swindon Supermarine were commanding 3-0 victors over Winchester City as Ryan Campbell, Michael Fernandes and an own goal from Josh McCormick did the damage.

Already-relegated Didcot Town lost at home to Hendon. Niko Muir-Merchant and Shaun Lucien gave the visitors a two-goal cushion at the break as Sam Barder hit a consolation effort.

There was just one goal in it at Hungerford Town as Joe Shepherd’s 13th minute strike gave them the points at the expense of Basingstoke Town, whilst Walton & Hersham ended positively by beating Poole Town 3-0 with Joe Garcia, Anis Nuur and Stan Flaherty getting the goals.

The day’s other game saw Tiverton Town overcome the challenge of Sholing thanks to Jack Rice’s first half goal.

IMAGE: John Leakey