Leaders Fareham collect fifth successive Wessex Premier League victory at Amesbury

Curt Robbin, left, netted Fareham's second goal at Amesbury. Picture: Ian Hargreaves

The Reds stretched their winning league run to five games despite the absence of manager Pete Stiles, serving the first of a two-match stadium ban.

Amesbury’s ground staff did well to get the game on after heavy downpours, and it was still raining lightly as the game kicked-off.

Fareham went straight on the attack and were looking to assert their dominance from the start.

New signing Ronan Galloway, making his debut after arriving from AFC Stoneham, managed to hit the bar with his very first touch - a header from a throw-in.

Fareham made all the early running as Amesbury struggled to come to terms with the speed and strength of the Fareham forwards.

The Reds took a deserved 13th minute lead direct from a free-kick - Tom Settle’s 25-yard effort flying just inside the post.

Fareham continued pouring forward and Josh Benfield sprinted clear only to see his shot go wide of the far post.

Town had a scare on 52 minutes when Amesbury striker Adam Holloway got into the box, Dan Kempson saving well with his legs.

On 75 minutes, though, Fareham grabbed the security of a second goal.

Charlie Cooper robbed the home full-back, drove into the area and laid the ball back for Curt Robbins to score into the top corner.

The Reds can move clear of Horndean at the top when they visit Tadley Calleva on Tuesday.

Fareham: Kempson, Jones, Galloway, Settle, Willcox, Moody (Tattersall), Cooper, Breed (Messenbird), J.Benfield, C.Benfield (Robbins), Bartlett-Scott.