Fareham move clear at the top after biggest Wessex League victory for over 12 years

That's another one - Callum Benfield glances in a header for Fareham's second goal in their 8-2 drubbing of Portland. Picture: Paul Proctor.

Josh Benfield struck a hat-trick as the Reds inflicted a second eight-goal thrashing on Portland United in the space of 15 days.

After crashing 8-1 at Baffins Milton on September 12, the Dorset club were hammered 8-2 at Cams Alders - six of the goals coming in the second half.

It was Fareham’s highest league victory since Wayne Boud fired a hat-trick and Gary Austin scored twice in a 10-0 home caning of Ringwood in February 2008.

That sinking feeling - a Portland defender reacts as Fareham score again in their 8-2 drubbing of Portland. Picture: Paul Proctor.

The Reds are looking to repeat last season's goalscoring feats when they were the highest home scorers in the Wessex Premier - with 48 in just 15 league games - and the second highest scorers in terms of goals-per-game.

Only neighbouring AFC Portchester (2.57) boasted a better GPG average than Fareham (2.55) in the shortened 2019/20 campaign.

Manager Pete Stiles believes their free-scoring reputation can help the club build a bigger fan base.

'There were a number of new faces at the ground and they all left saying how much they enjoyed it,' said Stiles.

Fareham score again during their 8-2 drubbing of Portland that took them two points clear at the top of the Wessex League Premier Division. Picture: Paul Proctor.

'I know that it is early days but it is nice to be sitting at the top of the league for a change.

'The players had a deserved celebration afterwards.

'I didn't think Portland were that bad but we played well apart from giving away sloppy goals either side of half-time.

'In the second half we were ruthless and took all the chances that came along.

'It was nice to see our strikers getting on the scoresheet.

'The only downside is that it looks as though Gary Moody could be out for a while with a knee injury.'

Fareham took the lead after 12 minutes when Tom Settle crashed in a low swerving free-kick from 30 yards.

Calum Benfield extended the lead with a glancing header from a corner and Fareham were looking comfortable.

Two goals either side of the break pegged the Res back, but that only proved the signal for them to run riot.

Nerves were calmed when Josh Benfield put the hosts back in front on 58 minutes, and three minutes later he extended the lead

Smelling blood, Stiles made a double substitution, sending on Charlie Cooper and Jack Breed in place of Ethan Jones and Calum Benfield.

Fareham were attacking in waves by now and on 67 minutes a corner was met firmly by Archie Willcox.

The keeper saved the header but, as the ball dropped, Josh Benfield was the first to react and tucked the ball away from close range for his hat-trick.

Luke Slade, Casey Bartlett-Scott and Cooper also got themselves on the scoresheet as Fareham chalked up their fourth successive league victory.

Fareham are on the road in their next two league games against teams currently in the bottom five - Amesbury next Saturday and Tadley Calleva three days later.

Fareham Town: Kempson, Jones (Cooper), Bartlett-Scott, Tattersall, Willcox, Moody, Settle, Davis, J.Benfield, Austin (Slade), C.Benfield (Breed).