Points deduction may damage Moneys title charge

Ash Howes appeared twice for the club, both times as a substitute, after signing from Blackfield & Langley.

The situation is currently being investigated by the Hampshire FA with the player and club insisting they are innocent.

‘It is all rumour and speculation at the moment,’ said Moneyfields manager Dave Carter.

‘In our eyes we have done everything by the book. We knew he had a two-match ban when we signed him and left him out against Bournemouth and Portchester.

‘There was nothing on the system and I don’t think there was any more we could have done.

‘The Hampshire FA will decide on the issue and pass their verdict onto the Wessex League.

‘At the moment we don’t know whether we will get a four-point deduction or not.

‘In the meantime we intend to just get on with the job in hand and keep pushing for the title.’

Howes only made two appearances as substitute for five minutes at Verwood and for fifteen minutes against Fareham Town.

Since then he has left the club and joined Horndean.

Moneyfields put their off the field concerns to one side to beat Brockenhurst 2-1 at Dover Road and maintain their ten point lead at the top of the league.

The home side had to come from behind and also overcome having Alex Shephard sent off at the start of the second half.

They had already suffered a blow before the game when powerful striker and captain Steve Hutchings was ruled out with illness.

In a positive start Gary Austin hit the post inside the first five minutes.

The visiting goalkeeper also pulled off a great save to keep out a Brett Poate free-kick.

On 25 minutes the hosts fell behind against the run of play after a free-kick was deflected past goalkeeper Steve Mowthorpe.

‘It is the first time we have been behind in a game since the beginning of December,’ said Carter.

Dan Wooden levelled before half-time when he got on the end of a Gary Austin cross to slide the ball home.

Shephard received his red card a minute into the second half pulling back his attacker for the second time in the game.

‘We had to shuffle the pack and went to a back three,’ said Carter.

On 70 minutes Moneyfields went in front from the penalty spot following a handball.

Wooden stepped up and side footed home the spot-kick for his second goal of the game and that proved the decisive strike.