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Horndean
Apr 21, 2023 7:30:03 GMT 1
via mobile
Post by boredprose on Apr 21, 2023 7:30:03 GMT 1
Horndean’s 2-0 win at Baffins Milton Tovers last night took them top of the Wessex League Premier Division, a point ahead of second-placed AFC Portchester with a game in hand and superior goal difference. With just two games left to play, they need two points to secure the Championship - and automatic promotion to the Southern League. I know it’s never over till it’s over but what a massive achievement it would be for Birmy and Co (whose starting eleven last night included Ethan Robb, Chad Field and Tommy Scutt) if they could secure Step Four football for Horndean next season.
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Post by Pete Helsby on Apr 21, 2023 10:11:52 GMT 1
Its a massive achievement if they do get the championship, and I cant see them letting it slip now. They have only conceded 19 goals this season.
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kof
Club Stalwart
Posts: 442
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Post by kof on Apr 22, 2023 20:32:13 GMT 1
Beaten at home today, I think. But one match to go and one point ahead of Portchester. If anyone can motivate them, Birmy can.
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Post by Rattlesnake on Apr 25, 2023 22:42:31 GMT 1
Birmy motivated them. Horndean are Wessex League champions.
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Horndean
Apr 26, 2023 0:15:04 GMT 1
via mobile
Post by boredprose on Apr 26, 2023 0:15:04 GMT 1
He did indeed! In front of more than 1300 fans, Horndean scored in added-time (a Matt Willett header) to beat Portland United 1-0 and clinch the title.
Elsewhere Bemerton Heath Harlequins beat long-time front-runners AFC Portchester 3-0 to finish as runners-up. They now face a one-off ‘interstep play-off’ (probably at Bideford) for the chance to join Horndean in the Southern League.
In the end, despite losing only four (league) games all season AFC Portchester finished in fourth place.
Sadly, despite a 1-0 win over Baffins Milton Rovers tonight, Pagham finished second-bottom and - unless reprieved - will play in Division One next season.
And finally, in the semi-finals of the Wessex League Div One play-offs, fifth-placed Petersfield Town travelled to runners-up Newport (IoW) and beat then 9-8 on penalties after the match itself ended 0-0.
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dingle
Club Stalwart
Posts: 215
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Horndean
Apr 26, 2023 3:15:08 GMT 1
via mobile
Post by dingle on Apr 26, 2023 3:15:08 GMT 1
I wonder if relegated Pagham will be moved back into the Southern Combination Football League which they were obliged to leave last summer.
The crowd at Horndean last night was 1,359. Must be a record. AFC Portchester finished 4th as already mentioned despite 50 goals from Brett Pitman.
Birmy's success at Horndean will increase calls for his return to the Lane I'm sure. Still a big step up though.
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kof
Club Stalwart
Posts: 442
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Post by kof on Apr 26, 2023 8:09:16 GMT 1
Congrats and well done to Horndean, especially to Chad Field, Ethan Robb and Tommy Scutt, oh and Birmy, of course.
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Post by Irish Rock on Apr 26, 2023 9:50:11 GMT 1
Well done Horndean & especially Birmy
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Post by Pete Helsby on Apr 26, 2023 15:07:13 GMT 1
Horndean has had one hell of a run-in at the back end of this season and at one stage had a 4 game backlog which made it more difficult for the team. 3 games in the space of 7 days and that makes this achievement even more amazing. Given their defeat on Saturday at home to Bemerton Heath, the pressure was always on and more so. Leaving it until stoppage time must have frayed the nerves of everyone in the ground. AFC Portchester, with its large Budget, blew it at the end.
It just proves that an unglamorous club with a small budget can challenge and you don't have to throw money at it as another team has done in this league. It's a fabulous effort by Birmy, his staff and his players and they should feel very proud of what they have achieved.
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