GRAHAM Kemp got the better of his old club Christchurch to keep Winchester City flying high at the Sydenhams Premier summit tonight.

But, once again, he was honest enough to admit that his new charges were not great value for their 2-0 win.

“The first half was comfortable at 1-0 and we didn’t break sweat,” he said.

“But we didn’t come out of the blocks for the second half and we got away with it a bit when Christchurch missed a one-on-one and Mark Smith put one wide of an open goal.

“Christchurch were unfortunate not to get back on terms. If they had, I honestly don’t think we’d have gone on and won the game.”

Leigh Mills crowned an imperious performance in central defence by heading Winchester in front with 24 minutes gone.

But City had to wait until seven minutes from time to set the seal on victory when Liam Robinson side-footed home ex-Priory man Ben Osborne’s cross.

Relecting on his return to Hurn Bridge, Kemp said: “It was all very amicable and it was nice to see the old faces. Christchurch are a good, young team just as I left them and they were unlucky tonight. We’re getting the rub of the green at the moment, maybe because of that extra bit of quality.”

Alex Baldacchino bagged a first-half hat-trick as reigning champions Blackfield & Langley made light of several key absentees to crush Folland Sports 3-0 at Gang Warily.

The Watersiders were without Scott Sampson, TJ Cuthbertson, Jake Rowley and Michael Durdey – a well as broken foot victim Kev Gibbens – but Baldacchino did the business with three goals in the opening 35 minutes against a Planemakers side who, until now, had yet to concede.

“It was a fantastic win, especially with the players we had out,” said chuffed B&L boss Glenn Burnett. “We finished the game off in the first half and then shut up shop. We were very professional.

“We had eight new players (this season) in the dressing room tonight and they’re gelling quickly. Confidence is growing.”

Romsey Town are one of three teams still without a point after losing a chance-laden game 2-1 at Whitchurch United.

Town’s Danny Phillips scrubbed out Luke Walker’s opener, but Romsey rode their first-half luck as ’Church missed two penalties. Brad Snelling saved the first from Walker and Alex Dockree hit the post.

Town dominated the second half, missing several chances of their own, before being caught by a last-minute sucker punch.

Dockree launched a 50-yard pass and Isaac Sedu snuck in behind Romsey’s defence to pocket a dramatic, late winner.

Totton & Eling are another team yet to get off the mark, beaten 1-0 at home by Fareham (Ash Tattersall). Ditto rock-bottom Bournemouth Poppies who crashed 2-0 at second-placed Moneyfields (Steve Hutchings, Bobby Scott).

Graham Rix’s AFC Portchester hit back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Newport IoW at Wicor Rec.

The Islanders raced 2-0 up inside 24 minutes through Iain Seabrook and GC Giancovich.

Portchester replied through Craig Hardy and the game turned on the hour when Simon Woods was taken out by the keeper following a defensive mix-up and Lewis Stockford equalised from the spot.

Downton notched their first win, beating Lymington Town 3-1 at Wick Lane, while neighbouring Bemerton were held 3-3 at home by Horndean.