‘You have to expect the unexpected’ – Fareham’s top of the table Wessex League clash at Lymington falls victim to the pandemic

The game was called off at midday due to Covid-19 issues at the New Forest club.

Reds manager Pete Stiles had reached Rownhams when he got the news and turned around.

As an alternative, he went to watch neighbours AFC Portchester in action against Brockenhurst.

'The Lymington manager tested positive for Covid earlier in the week,' said Stiles.

'Despite this, the game was going to go ahead in his absence until some of their players reported having symptoms.

'We were looking forward to it and have some good momentum going at the moment.

'It is disappointing but safety and health has to come first.

'These are strange times and you have to expect the unexpected.

'That is just the nature of it and we have to be ready to go again.'

All the clubs have had to adapt their routines since returning to action and it has been no different for Fareham.

'We have had to make quite a few changes,' said Stiles.

'You have to be aware of how many people are allowed in the dressing rooms, water bottles etc.

'Just getting through the season is going to be a challenge.

'It would be just typical to have everything called off when we are at the top.

'All we can do is keep going and see what happens.'

After a number of seasons in the doldrums, the Reds are finally enjoying some success.

They are currently second in the Premier after winning their last eight league games.

'We are doing great and are quite confident with what we have,' said Stiles.

'Most of our players are under 25 and we have some good quality in our team.

'It bodes well for the future.

'When I came to the club they were bottom of the league and hadn't won for over three months.

'It has taken time but we made some important changes, both on and off the field.

'The whole infrastructure of the club needed sorting.

'Hopefully we are going in the right direction now and the aim has to be trying to stay on the right track.’

Fareham are back in Wessex Premier action on Tuesday night against Fleet Town at Cams Alders (7.30pm).