Horndean boss feeling so proud

The home side were mightily relieved to get through with a 3-2 win at Hartsdown Park.

Visiting manager Michael Birmingham lauded the bravery of his team.

He said: '˜I can't speak too highly of my players.

'˜They produced an unbelievably brave performance.

'˜We showed real backbone, were organised and hard to play against.

'˜I knew beforehand we were a good side but we set different standards again in this game.

'˜Our discipline and concentration levels were something else again.

'˜We played with a great tempo when we didn't have the ball.

'˜This was against a team full of experienced players who have played at a good level.'

Alfie Lis rocked the hosts by giving the Deans a 15th-minute lead.

The key moment of the tie arrived a minute before the break.

Harry Jackson saw his lob come back off the crossbar and the home side immediately broke to grab an equaliser.

Margate stretched into a 3-1 lead in the second half.

Horndean however fought back through Jack Maloney and went close to forcing a replay.

Birmingham added: '˜Their goalkeeper made four terrific saves towards the end.

'˜The lads did themselves and our league proud with the way they played.'

In the Wessex League premier division AFC Portchester got back to winning ways with a crushing 8-1 win against Andover New Street at the Crest Finance stadium.

Dan Simmons had a field day scoring five goals.

Further goals from Brandon Miller, Ryan Woodford and an own goal completed the rout.

Two set-piece goals sent Baffins Milton Rovers  to a 2-0 defeat at Bashley.

Steve Leigh was disappointed feeling his side were the better team.

He said: '˜I couldn't knock the effort and application.

'˜We just need to be better in both boxes.'

Fareham Town battled to a 0-0 draw at Alresford Town.

In the Wessex League Cup a Mig Dark hat-trick fired United Services Portsmouth to a 4-2 win at Laverstock & Ford.

Harry Potter also found the net for the Sailors.

Petersfield Town forced a 1-1 draw at Fawley in division one.