‘We taught them a lesson’ – Horndean boss delighted with Wessex League triumph at AFC Stoneham

It was a sixth successive league win for the visitors who leapfrogged above Lymington Town.

A goal from Ash Howes and a Connor Duffin brace helped Horndean see off their hosts who could only manage a late consolation.

Manager Michael Birmingham admitted the visitors’ changing room was rocking afterwards.

'We taught Stoneham a lesson,' he beamed.

'From the start we had them worked out, were well-drilled and right at our game.

'We were three goals to the good at half-time and it was comprehensive in the end.

'Stoneham were better in the second half but we did what we had to do at certain times.

'At no time did we feel under any great threat.'

Howes put Horndean in front after 17 minutes, starting and finishing the move himself.

The captain switched the play, and kept on going to get on the end of a Harry Jackson pull-back.

On 38 minutes Duffin showed great opportunism to latch onto a backpass before rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into the unguarded net.

Four minutes before the break Duffin grabbed his second goal.

'The man of the moment scored twice but should have had four,' said Birmingham.

'He hit the post and missed a one on one.'

Fareham's Wessex Premier game against Fleet Town at Cams Alders was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Horndean: Magee, Giddings, Helmkey, Hookey, Lee, Grant, Anderson (Thomson), Howes, Duffin, Taw (Baker), Jackson.