Fareham run out of legs but Moneys and Deans triumph

Pete Stiles tasted defeat for the first time as Fareham Town manager as his side suffered a 2-1 Wessex League premier division defeat at Bemerton Heath Harlequins last night.
Fareham boss Pete Stiles. Picture: Keith WoodlandFareham boss Pete Stiles. Picture: Keith Woodland
Fareham boss Pete Stiles. Picture: Keith Woodland

The Reds led at half-time through a Simon Woods goal but let the game slip from their grasp in the second half.

Stiles had enjoyed a seven-game unbeaten start to his reign at Cams Alders.

‘All good things have to end sometime,’ said the boss.

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‘We just ran out of legs and looked very tired in the second half.

‘A couple of silly mistakes cost us and we didn’t have enough in the tank to get it back.

‘We have had a great start, though, and again I couldn’t fault the effort of my players.’

Woods knocked in the rebound after the home keeper failed to hold a 25-yard shot from Curt Robbins.

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Bemerton levelled five minutes into the second half and grabbed the winner with seven minutes left.

Elsewhere, Moneyfields stretched their lead at the top to 13 points courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 home win over Cowes Sports.

Gary Austin gave the hosts a dream start in the first minute – knocking the ball in at the second attempt after his first header hit the crossbar.

Dan Woodward extended the lead before half-time when he fired in a 25-yard free-kick.

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‘We dominated the game but failed to put away all our chances,’ said Moneyfields manager Dave Carter.

‘Their keeper made a series of good saves in the first half to keep his side in the game.

‘In the second half, Cowes got players behind the ball and we couldn’t find the final pass to open them up.’

Goals from Jack Maloney and Sam Smart earned Horndean an outstanding 2-0 win at Lymington Town.

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Manager Michael Birmingham praised the character of his players after a difficult build-up.

‘Because of traffic problems a few of my players didn’t arrive until 10 minutes before kick-off,’ said the boss.

‘I was forced into making three changes to the team sheet because players hadn’t arrived.

‘The players didn’t let it affect them, though, and got on with the job.

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‘It is a fantastic result for us considering our opponents had won their last five games.’

The Russell-Cotes Cup tie between AFC Portchester and Gosport Borough was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Petersfield’s clash with Hanwell Town in Southern League division one central was also postponed.

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