Saunders makes winning start... Moneys boost title push

Former Petersfield boss Saunders joined Graham Rix’s management team after being sacked by Winchester City.

First-half goals by Alex Baldacchino and Andy Todd ended the Royals’ four-game losing run in the Wessex League premier division.

Saunders was delighted with the victory.

He said: ‘Everything went as well as I could have hoped for.

‘We won, picked up three points and kept a clean sheet.’

Moneyfields extended their lead to four points at the top with a 3-1 win at Hamworthy United.

James Guthrie, Dan Wooden and Steve Hutchings grabbed the goals to seal a comfortable win.

‘We had to contend with their 4G pitch and a difficult wind,’ said Moneyfields manager Dave Carter.

‘All the other results went our way but it is not about the other teams.

‘We want to win the title and to do that we need to win all our remaining games.’

Carter revealed the club have appealed to the Football Association after Hampshire FA found them guilty of playing a player under suspension.

If successful the club will avoid having a three-point deduction imposed on them by the Wessex League

Horndean produced a sparkling performance to thump title-chasing Blackfield & Langley 4-1 on the Waterside.

Manager Michael Birmingham thinks the success will surprise a few people

‘We are a good team and it is about time a few people started to recognise that,’ said Birmingham.

‘It is a fantastic result and Blackfield just had no answer to us.

‘We had a game plan which included playing off the front men and driving at them with pace and power. It worked a treat.

‘By the end Blackfield had run up the white flag.’

Robbie Tambling gave the visitors a deserved half-time lead but the hosts hit back to equalise after the restart.

Goalkeeper Tom Price pulled off two important saves before Horndean went on to kill the game off.

Mark Smith netted and Connor Duffin scored twice.

Fareham Town held second-placed Portland United to a 2-2 draw at Cams Alders.

Curt Robbins and Simon Woods gave the Reds a 2-0 lead at the break.

The Dorset side hit back to level in the second half.