Wessex League round-up: Baffins forge an incredible fight back to stun Shaftesbury

Baffins looked dead and buried when they trailed 2-0 at the break but they rallied to become the first Wessex Division One side to reach the final.

The home side had a let off mid-way through the first half when Shaftesbury fired against the crossbar.

There was no escape for the hosts five minutes later however when midfielder Mali Benjamin shot past home goalkeeper Tony Male.

Baffins found themselves with a mountain to climb after conceding a second goal four minutes before the interval.

Martin Shroeder was on hand to slam in the rebound after an initial shot bounced back off the post.

Two goals in the opening eleven minutes of the second period turned the tie on its head.

Four minutes after the break Ryan Pennery reduced the deficit and on 56 minutes Tyler Yates headed in the equaliser.

Danny Audin completed the remarkable turnaround five minutes from time firing in from five yards.

AFC Portchester slumped to a fourth successive Wessex Premier defeat as they lost 2-0 at Brockenhurst.

The Royals made a disastrous start falling behind inside the opening minutes.

A low long-range shot found its way past Royals goalkeeper Cameron Scott and into the bottom corner of the net.

Despite having more of the play the visitors failed to create any clear chances before half-time.

In the second half the Royals fell further behind after getting hit on the counter-attack against the run of play.

In Wessex Division One, United Services Portsmouth slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against AFC Stoneham.

Fareham Town are looking to chalk up a third consecutive league win as they visit Alresford Town in the Wessex Premier tomorrow night (7.45pm).

The Reds are in a confident frame of mind following good wins over Andover Town and Brockenhurst.

Manager Pete Stiles has guided them into the top half of the league and is optimistic of a top ten finish.

‘This is a tough game but we have come through similar tests well in recent weeks,’ Stiles said.

Stiles hopes to have more players returning including captain Josh Holmes in midfield and Elliot Roberts is also expected to be available.

But Jay Ripener is out injured and Brady Norton is a doubt.