Wessex Premier Round Up - Gosport climb to the summit
on 17/09/06 by Andy Starmore
Gosport Borough climbed to the top of the Wessex Premier League following a professional 2-0 win at Hamworthy United.

Gosport manager Alex Pike was returning to his former club for the first time since he left to travel east and, he watched his troops score twice before half time via Adam Camfield and a somewhat fortuitous Dave Birmingham goal.

Both were recorded prior to half time in a half that belonged to the visitors.

The second period the Hammers upped their game and might well have got something out of the match but, a defiant Gosport defence, which has seen just one goal past them in their opening six matches halted any hope the home side had of springing a surprise.

Pitchside was at the game and caught up with both managers after the match. Alex Pike was his usual upbeat self and Hammers boss Phil Simkin, despite the defeat, was happy to explain his views on the game.

Log on soon to find out what exactly they said.

Maybe it was a shock, maybe it wasn’t but, whatever it was, Poole Town’s thrilling 4-3 triumph at previously top-of-the-table Fareham Town must surely send out a message that the Dolphins will be one of the teams to beat this season.

Not only did the result knock Fareham, who still have an amazing plus 21 goal difference after just eight games, off the top of the table, it pushed Poole up into fourth spot.

Warren Hunt and Jamie Laidlaw had given Fareham a two goal cushion and at that stage were looking likely to remain at the summit before Luke Whitley pulled a goal back just before the break.

Mike Hankey levelled for Tommy Killick’s side in the opening minute of the second period but then Fareham restored their lead to make it 3-2 via a second goal from Hunt.

Poole were then awarded a penalty but Lee Webber in the Fareham goal saved Gary Funnell’s spot kick.

With 12 minutes remaining of this scintillating encounter there was still massive drama to come.

Karim Benssaouda found the back of the Fareham net to make it 3-3 and then Fareham were to receive two huge blows when two goal Hunt and Luke Middleton were both sent for an early bath after receiving a second yellow card each.

It was then backs to the walls stuff for nine-men Fareham but they couldn’t keep the Dolphins out and Benssaouda helped himself to his second of the match and consequently the winner in this captivating affair.

Brockenhurst, after eight games now, are still looking for their first win of the campaign.

Graham Kemp’s outfit were always going to find it tough though and bowed down at Bournemouth Poppies 3-1.

Brock however must have thought their season was going to take a turn for the better when Dave Midgley gave them the lead after just eight minutes.

Veteran striker Leigh Phillips however dispelled their hopes when he equalised from the penalty spot before Lamin Dibba and Jack Swann found the back of the Brock net to seal their 3-1 victory.

Lymington Town received only their second win of the season in six attempts, when they won 1-0 at Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Scott Metcalfe scored the all important goal in somewhat controversial fashion, via a hotly disputed penalty with ten minutes remaining.

The shock of the day had to be Brading Town’s 1-1 draw at home to high flying Wimborne Town.

A creditable point for the newly promoted Isle of Wight side though was marred by the suspected broken leg of Brading’s Richard Sprooles.

The game was held up for fully 40 minutes as Sprooles waited on the pitch for the ambulance to arrive.

Prior to this Brading had taken a shock lead and then after Sprooles was taken to hospital Wimborne were reduced to ten men when John Mulhern was shown a red card (not related to Sprooles' incident).

Scott Joyce levelled for the Magpies in the final ten minutes of the game to rescue a point in a game you’d expect them to take all three.

Finally in the all promoted clash between Horndean and Ringwood Town, Horndean came out on top 5-2.

Rob Wakelin and James Findlay were on target for Ringwood but goals from Gary Austin, Paul Baker, Glen Ingram, Tommy Woodward and Ashley gave Horndean their third Wessex Premier League win of the season so far.

It also pushed them up into seventh in the table.

Log on to the site to see photos from the Hamworthy United versus Gosport Borough clash soon and, following Friday’s preview of the match in the Bournemouth Daily Echo, Pitchside was there to capture the moment on camera when Hammers boss Phil Simkin bought Gosport manager Alex Pike a drink in the clubhouse after the match – or did he?!