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Colden Common come back from two goals down to hammer Paulsgrove

Taylor-James Greer

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Colden Common extended their unbeaten run to four games following their 6-2 win over Paulsgrove on Saturday, which even saw the Stallions two goals down inside the first-half.

Moulay Ousman’s header before a close-range strike by Blaze Pearce saw Grove comfortable in front inside 24 minutes.

But moments before the break, Ollie Riddell found the back of the net from a corner.

HT: Colden Common 1–2 Paulsgrove

Early in the second-half, the Stallions controlled the opening stages. Brad Letherbridge was denied by Grove keeper Joe Boxall multiple times, with Callum Archer and Alpay Ali both coming close to an equaliser but Colden Common finally got the goal they deserved. Will Butcher’s lacktsuer clearance fell straight to Archer, who made no mistake inside the box.

Young forward Braden Collins picked out Ali from outside the box, who rifled a low drive past Boxall from outside the box as Colden Common took the lead.

Three goals later on in the second-half helped sercue an comfortable victory for the Stallions. An unmarked Letherbridge, lurking at the back post, headed the ball back into the box, for Will Erdinc to knock past Boxall. Ali was on target just five minutes later, slotting in the rebound from Josh Harvey-Grey’s effort, and late-on as the former Gosport Borough striker netted his 19th goal of the season.

FT: Colden Common 6-2 Paulgrove 

Alpay Ali celebrating his hat-trick

Colden Common head coach Steve King told WINOL after Saturday’s victory: “We’re in good form and I was confident we will create opportunities within the game – we dominated overall, but conceded two early goals. We were clinical in-front of goal, I am pleased with the squads overall performance.”

Only ten points separate Liss Athletic [in fifth] and Moneyfields Reserves [in 15th, and in the drop zone]. 

Colden Common have now leapfrogged Hook, who were defeated 2-1 against Hayling United.

Colden Common head coach Steve King [right]

Life under Steve King

King was a part of the management team at Wessex Premier League outfit Baffins Milton Rovers last season, where the club achieved a seventh place finish and won the League Cup back in May, before he was appointed as head coach at Colden Common after the departure of Nathan Morgan and Connor Doswell – who joined Alresford Town. 

During Morgan and Doswell’s time at the Stallions the club won back-to-back Hampshire Premier League trophies and were crowned Hampshire Premier Senior Cup winners, last season. 

Colden Common has seen a large chunk of their squad now playing at Alrebury Park in Alresford’s return to step six football, following their relegation from the Wessex Premier League. 

A much younger Colden Common squad has seen the club in a relegation battle for a majority of the season but wins against Hook, Fleet Spurs, Hayling and, now, Paulsgrove in recent weeks has allowed the club to be eight points clear of the drop zone. 

King explained to WINOL: “It’s been a tough season but I have enjoyed it massively.”

“The youth setup could potentially be massive for us as we look to build a pathway, but I knew it would be tough to create a team that can compete [in the Hampshire Premier League].

“I’ve been confident in these boys all season. We’re hoping for a strong finish to the season to push as high as we can in the league.”

New signings

Ahead of the final few weeks of the season, King has brought in a few additions to help secure a top-half finish in his debut season. 

The club has announced the signings of Archer and Cameron Scott [both from Fleetlands], experienced defender Nathan Primus [Petersfield Town], Jacob Keyse [Hythe & Didben] and Portuguese striker Mauro Morias [Paulsgrove]. 

Morias scored and suffered an injury on his debut against Hook.

Experience is going to be critical at this stage of the season as Colden Common will look to finish in the top-half of the season, despite being near the relegation zone nearly all season. 

What is next for both sides?

King’s side continue their fine form when the Stallions take on local rivals Stockbridge next Saturday at Oakwood Park, which was described as a potential ‘entertaining game’ by the former Baffins coach.

Paulsgrove are on the road yet again on Wednesday evening as they take on title challengers Locks Heath, who were victorious at Kennels Lane at the weekend against rock-bottom Fleet Spurs. Grove will continue their season with another away tie, this time in Romsey, against Bishops Waltham Dynamos – three days later, next Saturday.

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North Hants Senior Cup: Ten-man Basingstoke beat Romsey 4-3 in thrilling final

Taylor-James Greer

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For the second year running, Basingstoke Town have won the North Hampshire Senior Cup against Romsey Town in a seven goal thriller at Foxcotte Park.

Romsey, who are three leagues below the ‘Stoke, were leading for a majority of the game. 

Basingstoke were ahead just five minutes into the game after Shamar Moore’s delivery found Stefan Brown at the nest post, who directed his header past Miles Bartram. 

However, just a few minutes later, Romsey were level. Liam Magee found the bottom-right corner after a lovely combination outside the box by Geoff Dunne and Tiago Moreno. 

The Town took a shock lead inside half-hour after Liam Magee threaded through Charlie Hawes, who managed to hammer his volley past veteran Paul Strudley. 

HT: Basingstoke Town 1-2 Romsey Town

Basingstoke controlled the second-half and finally found an equaliser, with 20 minutes remaining, after Wilson’s arrowed his strike into the top corner. 

However just a few minutes after the goal, Aleks Kokoszka was sent off after a second yellow card. 

Irrespective of that, and with nine minutes left, Basingstoke took a deserved lead after Noah Chengun’s header found the back of the net. Shortly afterwards Basingstoke added a fourth with Brown’s volley firing past Bartram – surely that would wrapped up the game? 

Romsey, however, showed unbreakable spirit and even threatened another comeback when substitute Charlie Henson curled his effort from range past Strudley. 

FT: Basingstoke Town 4-3 Romsey Town

Elliot Macvie [Non League Matchday] via youtube
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Colden Common extend unbeaten run with comeback win against struggling Denmead

Taylor-James Greer

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Despite strugglers Denmead leading at half-time, Colden Common extended their unbeaten run to eight games after their 4-1 win last night.

Early counter-attack by the Mead saw them ahead just inside three minutes. The Stallions believed there was a handball in the build-up, but Tayo Adekoya was able to strike past youngster James Egeland-Jensen.

Colden Common dominated after the goal. Alpay Ali’s header was directed straight at Ciaran Hards, before Matt Rylance managed to pick out Will Erdinc inside the box – whose effort went wide of the post. Matt Driver had this chance palmed away by the Mead keeper as Adekoya’s low drive from the free-kick was blocked by the wall.

Chances kept coming for the Stallions. Braden Collins and Ali combined outside the box, which allowed Rylance to have his effort comfortable saved by Hards with Driver’s strike also kept out. Brad Lethbridge’s delivery was met by Sam Middleton, who saw his header wide as the referee blew for half-time.

HT: Colden Common 0-1 Denmead

Seven minutes into the restart Colden Common were finally level after substitute Jack Darnton’s cross from the edge of the box managed to lob Hards.

Erdinc’s effort came close to giving the Stallions the lead four minutes later, but a near carbon copy of the first goal saw Lethbridge cross bounce over the Mead keeper as Colden Common completed a second-half comeback just inside ten minutes.

Former Petersfield Town defender Nathan Primus added his name to the scoresheet after his header saw Hards ball watching as Max Innalls failed to clear it off the line.

Rylance’s shot shortly afterwards was directed wide as John Holden managed to pick out Ali at the back post, but the Bulgarian failed to find the back of the net. However with two minutes left to go Ali managed to hold off Innalls, with the former Baffins marksman finding the bottom-left corner to wrap up the game.

FT: Colden Common 4-1 Denmead

What is next for both sides?

Both sides are back on the road this weekend.

Colden Common will travel to Kennels Lane as they take on already relegated Fleet Spurs. A win on Saturday could see the Stallions climb into the top four.

Denmead end their season with an away tie against Liss Athletic, with the club being one of the favourites to be relegated. Mead, Hayling United and Sway are all level on 32 points, with strugglers Moneyfields Reserves five adrift of the trio – they have two games in hand.

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The ‘pressure is on’ says Harris as Liphook look to secure title against Fleet Spurs

Taylor-James Greer

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Liphook United boss Carl Harris understands how much pressure is on his side as they are one win away from winning the Hampshire Premier League after their 3-1 victory on Tuesday night against Moneyfields Reserves.

Moneys took an early lead through former Portsmouth midfielder Stan Bridgman but Ryan Angear, Marco Sellitto and Marcus Bedford were on target for the Blues to gain all three points in East Hampshire.

Victory for Liphook saw them pick up their 11th win from losing positions this season, which saw Harris praised his squad’s character after Tuesday’s comeback.

He told Winol: “It’s always going to be tough game [against Moneyfields Reserves], they are playing to stay in the league and had a few first team players playing for them – Stan Bridgman and Elliott Turnbull.

“The last few weeks people have been saying we should win the league and now it’s just us to close it out.”

‘We are a second-half team’

Harris told Winol: “People have been saying – ‘how are Liphook going to win the league, they are not that good.’ I agree with people saying ‘we’re a second-half team’ and it’s nothing to do with other than character.

“The character of my team is the best I know, that is the 11th time this season we have come back from behind and won. That’s character so when we look like we’re down and out, we’re not.

“People can say whatever they like, it’s just one more now.”

One more win

Saturday afternoon could see Liphook become winners of the Hampshire Premier League for the first time since 2012. 

A win on Saturday against rock bottom Fleet Spurs will see the Blues win the league with four games to spare.

Fleet have only two league wins all season, Liphook will certainly go into the game as favorites.

The two sides met earlier this month as the Blues took home all three points at Kennels Lane.

“It’s the day we wanted,” said Harris. “At home [on a Saturday], our Reserves are playing before us – the whole club will be here, and that is something no one can take away from us.

“It will be tough [against Fleet Spurs], only won 3-2 against a good side. Every game is tight, and we will probably make hard work of it but I don’t care as long as we get our day.”

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