Deans and Moneys eye derby tonic

A return to winning ways is the target for Horndean and Moneyfields as they meet in the Wessex League premier division at Five Heads Park tonight (7.45pm).
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Mar 2016, 08:00 BST
Dan Gauntlett. Picture: Mick YoungDan Gauntlett. Picture: Mick Young
Dan Gauntlett. Picture: Mick Young

Both teams suffered disappointing defeats in their previous matches and are keen to get back on track.

Moneyfields were dumped out of the Wessex League Cup by division one leaders Portland United.

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Horndean fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Lymington Town.

Dan Gauntlett. Picture: Mick YoungDan Gauntlett. Picture: Mick Young
Dan Gauntlett. Picture: Mick Young

Moneys recently knocked Horndean out of the Portsmouth Senior Cup in a tough contest and another hard-fought battle is ahead.

Horndean manager Craig Pearce is backing his team to turn the tables on the visitors.

‘We need to get back to doing what we do well,’ said Pearce.

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‘At Lymington we failed to show our usual attacking threat and we have a bit of work to do.

Dan Gauntlett. Picture: Mick YoungDan Gauntlett. Picture: Mick Young
Dan Gauntlett. Picture: Mick Young

‘We came unstuck the last time we played Moneyfields when we played the occasion rather than the game.

‘It will be important we keep our discipline and hopefully both teams will put on a good show.’

The Deans are boosted by the return of striker Robbie Tambling from suspension.

Defender Matt Bury is an injury doubt.

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Moneyfields manager Dave Carter is hoping his team will benefit from having a three day rest.

‘In our cup exit it showed that we had played five games in nine days,’ said Carter.

‘It was more mental than physical and having had a break will do us good.

‘It is a derby and both teams will be up for it.

‘I am looking to go there and pick up three points.’

The visitors are also boosted by the return of striker Nathan Paxton from holiday.

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Dan Gauntlett and Alex Shephard are also back after being rested.

AFC Portchester make their second trip across the Solent in the space of four days as they visit Newport IW.

Royals manager Graham Rix is hoping for a different result this time as his team look to bounce back after they went down 1-0 at Cowes Sports.

‘We must look to get back to winning ways,’ said Rix.

‘It is important we don’t waste all the hard work of the previous seven months.

‘After suffering just one defeat in a calendar year we have now been beaten twice inside a week.’

Relegation battling Fareham Town host Hamworthy United at Cams Alders (7.45pm).

– KEVIN RICKETTS

Related topics:HorndeanAFC PortchesterMoneyfieldsDave Carter