Connor nets first league goal of season to give Moneyfields increased breathing space in Southern League relegation battle

Connor Hoare’s first league goal of the season proved the difference and enabled Moneys to open up an 11-point gap on basement side Barnstaple Town.

Assistant manager Matt Jones was pleased to see his reshuffled side come out on top and claim a third successive home league victory.

'We rested a few players and gave a few of the lads who have been on the bench a run out,' he explained.

'All the players who came in did really well.

'It is a result and performance that we needed after our disappointing display at Winchester in midweek.

'Hopefully this result will spark us on a bit for the rest of the season.

'Most pleasing was the fact we kept a clean sheet.

'They have been in short supply this season.

'In the past we have prided ourselves on being a team that doesn't concede many goals.

'Also we created a number of good chances on a very difficult pitch.'

The home side defended well playing up the slope in the first half.

Jamie Ford and Tyler Giddings were solid at the back with a highly-effective Jake Raine playing just in front of them.

Highworth possessed a couple of dangerous forwards but the home defence kept them quiet.

The only goal arrived in the 69th minute.

Sam Pearce, playing up front in place of suspended top scorerSteve Hutchings, got the ball rolling with a pass out to Joe Briggs.

Briggs escaped down the right and his ball in took a slight deflection off a defender and fell into the path of Hoare who tucked his shot into the bottom corner.

Moneyfields are in cup action on Tuesday night when they host AFC Bournemouth in the semi-final of the Hampshire Senior Cup at Dover Road (7.45pm).