The top 20 non-league games of the local grassroots football season – part 2

Prior to all football in the UK being suspended to due to Covid-19, our local non-league teams had taken part in some great games - some with remarkable scorelines, some with remarkable performances. This is the second of a two-part feature remembering 20 of the best games of a season which will, for all the wrong reasons now, never be forgotten .
By Simon Carter
Published 26th Mar 2020, 10:27 BST
Updated 26th Mar 2020, 10:27 BST
Katie Shorter netted twice as Moneyfields beat higher division Southampton Women in the Hampshire Cup. Picture: Keith WoodlandKatie Shorter netted twice as Moneyfields beat higher division Southampton Women in the Hampshire Cup. Picture: Keith Woodland
Katie Shorter netted twice as Moneyfields beat higher division Southampton Women in the Hampshire Cup. Picture: Keith Woodland

November 6 - Moneyfields 4 Aldershot 3

Hampshire Senior Cup: Moneyfields raced out of the blocks against three divisions higher opponents with Connor Hoare, Lewis Fennemore and Ryan Pennery scoring in the opening half hour. But the Shots hit back to level before half-time, setting the scene for young Danny Burroughs to grab a superb winner. Burroughs intercepted a clearance from goalkeeper Ryan Hall 25 yards out and, with the latter stranded, coolly hooked the ball back into an unguarded net.

November 16 - Horndean 4 Alresford 1

Jonah Ayunga heads Hawks' winner against Weymouth. Photo by Dave HainesJonah Ayunga heads Hawks' winner against Weymouth. Photo by Dave Haines
Jonah Ayunga heads Hawks' winner against Weymouth. Photo by Dave Haines

Wessex League Premier Division: Former Portsmouth midfielder Jack Maloney, above right, scored twice as Horndean - last season’s runners-up - caned leaders Alresford at Five Heads Park. Alfie Lis and sub Connor Duffin also netted after the visitors had cancelled out Maloney’s opener.

November 17 - Southampton Women 2 Moneyfields Ladies 3

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hampshire Women’s Senior Cup: Lower division Moneyfields caused a quarter final shock with victory over their higher division hosts. Kim Whitcombe and Katie Shorter fired Moneys into a 2-0 half-time lead before Southampton - who have only lost one league game all season - hit back to level. Shorter’s second of the afternoon avenged Moneyfields’ 4-1 loss to the same team the previous season.

December 10 - Gosport Borough 4 Dorchester Town 4

Jason Parish celebrates scoring for Portchester against his former club Baffins. Picture: Vernon NashJason Parish celebrates scoring for Portchester against his former club Baffins. Picture: Vernon Nash
Jason Parish celebrates scoring for Portchester against his former club Baffins. Picture: Vernon Nash

Southern Premier League South: Ryan Woodford struck a 95th minute leveller in an incident-packed thriller. Gosport were forced to play 79 minutes with 10 men following George Barker’s early red card - by which time they were already behind to a sixth minute Tom Bath strike. Matt Paterson (2) and Liam Robinson also netted while visiting keeper Nick Hutchings was dismissed on 70 minutes - his foul on Marley Ridge giving Paterson the chance to score his second from the penalty spot.

December 28 - Infinity 4 Fleetlands 3

Hampshire Premier League Senior Division: Infinity have yet to lose a league game this term, and have generally won matches comfortably. Yet they were forced to come from 1-2 down to beat Fleetlands three days after Christmas - the division’s top scorer, Jamie White among the scorers. Matt Andrews (2) and Shane Flooks netted for Fleetlands with Luke Middleton, Danny Phillips and an own goal helping Infinity to victory.

February 1 - AFC Portchester 3 Baffins Milton 2

Horndean's Jack Maloney, right, scored twice in the win against Alresford. Picture: Keith WoodlandHorndean's Jack Maloney, right, scored twice in the win against Alresford. Picture: Keith Woodland
Horndean's Jack Maloney, right, scored twice in the win against Alresford. Picture: Keith Woodland

Wessex League Premier Division: Former Baffins Milton striker Jason Parish struck a hat-trick against his former club - including an 80th minute winner - as title-chasing AFC Portchester came from 1-2 down at half-time to win. Parish had joined the Royals last October, but had yet to score in the league - until this match. Tommy Scott and Tommy Tierney had put Baffins in the lead.

February 1 - Colden Common 1 Moneyfields Reserves 3

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hampshire Trophy: Top scorer Dan Penfold Brandon Elliot and Jake Knight were on target as Moneyfields’ second string defeated higher division Colden Common to reach the semi-finals of the Trophy. Common had beaten Moneys 4-1 in the Hampshire Premier League Cup a few months earlier. Moneys subsequently lost 1-0 to Brading Town in the last four.

February 5 - Hawks 3 Weymouth 2

National League South: Top scorer Jonah Ayunga headed the winner for 10-man Hawks against promotion rivals Weymouth. In a Westleigh Park thriller, Hawks came from 1-2 down to triumph - and they had to play the last 20 minutes a man down after new signing Bedsente Gomis was sent off. Danny Kedwell and Josh Taylor also netted for the hosts.

February 5 - Locks Heath 1 Infinity 1

Hampshire Premier League Senior Division: Leaders Infinity were lucky not to lose their unbeaten record against a Locks Heath side currently bottom of the table. Wayne Boud was dismissed on 65 minutes and Infinity played a spell with nine-men as Luke Middleton was sent to the sin-bin. Jamie White (Infinity) and Mario Fernandez traded goals before visiting keeper Tom Boyle was called on late on to preserve Infinity’s undefeated run.

March 12 - Fareham 5 Baffins Milton 5

Wessex League Premier Division: In one of the last WL games of the 2019/20 season before all grassroots football was suspended, Fareham snatched an incredible point after trailing 5-2 with 20 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Tom Settle (penalty), sub Luke Slade and top scorer Josh Benfield - the latter’s second of an enthralling contest. Callum Dart (2), Rob Taw, Tommy Tierney and goalkeeper Cameron Scott (penalty) were on target for Baffins, with Lewis Stockford also netting for the hosts.

Related topics:Covid-19Moneyfields