Moneys return to summit but lack fluency in derby win

Dave Carter shrugged off an unconvincing display as his Moneyfields side hit the summit of the Wessex League premier division table.
Dan Woodward. Picture: Keith Woodland (161385-359)Dan Woodward. Picture: Keith Woodland (161385-359)
Dan Woodward. Picture: Keith Woodland (161385-359)

Dan Woodward’s first-half goal was enough to earn the Dover Road outfit a 1-0 victory against Fareham Town at Cams Alders last night.

After successive defeats – and with a number of new players attempting to find their feet – Carter was just happy to net all three points.

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The Moneys manager said: ‘All that really mattered on the back of two defeats was the result.

‘We got the three points and that puts us back at the top of the table.

‘It was a bit disjointed but you have to expect that when you are trying to bed in a number of new players.

‘I was very pleased with the way we defended and kept them down to the minimum of chances.

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‘We failed to take our own chances, particularly in the first half when we should have put the game to bed.’

Callum Laycock made a swift return to Cams Alders after signing for their Dover Road rivals last week.

And it was his new Moneyfields side who had the lion’s share of the early possession and looked the sharper of the two sides going forward.

When the Reds managed to launch a few raids of their own, Dan Hayes looked very assured in the heart of the visitors’ defence.

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Woodward gave Moneys a deserved lead after 16 minutes – following good work from Nathan Paxton.

Paxton drove to the byline before pulling the ball back across the area where Woodward drilled a low shot into the bottom far corner.

Fareham were rocked by the goal and almost conceded another straight afterwards.

Alex Shephard was left completely unmarked at a corner but his header – from just three yards out – missed the target.

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In a scrappy opening to the second half, Paxton had the ball in the Fareham net but the flag was raised for offside. Meanwhile, Woodward was a constant a threat down the Moneys right.

And it was another telling cross by the winger that striker Dan Fry headed over.

Simon Woods worked hard up front for the Reds.

But despite his best efforts, the Town forward could make little impression on the solid visiting defence.

However, Moneyfields were almost caught out by a short corner routine when the ball flashed narrowly past the foot of the far post.

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Marley Ridge tried to liven up matters with a good run and shot that flew over the top. But the second half was largely forgettable with Moneys comfortably holding on for all three points.

AFC Portchester lost 3-2 to Newport at the Blanchard Wells Stadium.

Rob Evans and Nathan Kirby struck for the Royals but goals by Josh Younie, Jimmi Burton and Joe Butcher handed glory to the visitors.

Horndean drew 2-2 at Andover Town thanks to a late Jack Maloney penalty.

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Gosport Borough racked up a club-record 19-1 success over Widbrook United in the Portsmouth Senior Cup.

The National League South side put their Portsmouth Saturday League visitors to the sword with Warren Bentley scoring five and Dan Wooden netting four.

Ollie Bailey and TJ Cuthbertson notched hat-tricks, while Sam Pearce struck twice.

They were joined on the scoresheet by Brett Poate and Mike Carter.

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Meanwhile, Petersfield Town suffered a 3-1 extra-time defeat to Winchester City in their FA Trophy preliminary round replay at Love Lane.

Gari Judd had given the home side the lead only for former Rams Joe Briggs and Jamie Ford to star in the City fightback.

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