Sydenhams Wessex League - Division 2 - Stockbridge 2, Petersfield Town 0

DRAWS for leading pair Locks Heath and Liss saw Stocks close the gap at the top of the table to six points after this creditable win over hard-working Petersfield.

The visitors matched their hosts for much of the first half, but Gavin Richards was unlucky not to put Stockbridge ahead when his well-struck shot came back off the crossbar.

The home side weren't to be denied for long, however, Steve Witt finding the back of the net with a fine solo goal.

Petersfield redoubled their efforts, but found the Stocks defence, with Paul Barnard the pick of a good bunch, in uncompromising mood. Even so, home keeper Carl Mumford was twice forced to make outstanding saves to maintain his side's advantage.

Scorer Witt was forced off with an ankle injury, to be replaced by club skipper Dean Savage.

Savage, a central defender born again as a striker, rattled the Petersfield crossbar twice as Stocks looked for the second goal that would make the game safe.

The Town keeper denied Savage a third time, but a slick Pete Swinney finish from a tight angle put an end to the visitors' resistance and enabled Stocks to play out time in comfort.

Firsts beat Reserves!

Thanks to an unusual quirk of fate, Stockbridge played an 'away' tie against their own Reserves in a third-round North Hants Senior Cup game on Tuesday night.

The first XI triumphed thanks to Paul Barnard's first ever goal for the club, but the Reserves worked hard and gave their illustrious opponents a stiff examination.

Reserve manager Dan de Heaume has cause to be very proud of his side.