Deans draft in Flooks... Fareham eye top-10 spot

HORNDEAN draft new striker Shaun Flooks straight into their squad as they entertain Newport IW in the Wessex League premier division at Five Heads Park (3pm).
Simon Woods, right, scored for Fareham on TuesdaySimon Woods, right, scored for Fareham on Tuesday
Simon Woods, right, scored for Fareham on Tuesday

The 29-year-old arrives from Hamble Club, though he has been playing most recently at Paulsgrove.

He has also been rattling in the goals for his Sunday side and Horndean manager Michael Birmingham is excited by his potential.

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‘With eight or nine games left he is worth taking a gamble with,’ said Birmingham.

‘Who knows what he can do and hopefully will be the sniffer in the box that we have lacked most of the season.

‘He is a big strong aggressive lad who has also played at Sholing and Winchester City.

‘All season we have been getting the ball into fantastic areas and hopefully he can help us exploit that.’

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The Isle of Wight outfit have lost just once in their last eight games.

They will be expected to present the hosts with a difficult challenge.

But Horndean have been in good form themselves and will be in confident mood.

They haven’t been in action in midweek after seeing their derby clash with AFC Portchester postponed.

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Birmingham will be looking for the same fighting spirit that saw his side battled back from a three-goal deficit to draw 3-3 at Newport in their first meeting.

‘We have play to our strengths which are passing the ball quickly to use our pace,’ said Birmingham.

‘If we get involved in a long ball fight then we will end up the losers.’

Ash Howes remains suspended but Robbie Tambling is available again.

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Fareham Town are aiming to build on their excellent 5-3 win at Andover as they welcome Brockenhurst to Cams Alders tomorrow (3pm).

‘This is a chance for us to close the five-point gap Brockenhurst have on us,’ said Reds manager Pete Stiles.

‘If we can do that it will put us in touching distance of the top 10.

‘Finishing above half-way would be an achievement because we were bottom when I took over in January.

‘We have more than doubled our points tally since then.’

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Simon Woods got two goals on Tuesday, while Curt Robbins, Callum Laycock and Bradey Norton also netted.

The Reds expect to have Robbie Pittman back but Josh Holmes and Sam Martin are unavailable.

AFC Portchester travel to Bashley tomorrow.