Warren Bentley notched a hat-trick as title outsiders Winchester City shook off the effects of conceding a stunning early goal to sink ten-man Sydenhams Premier Division strugglers Fareham Town 6-1 at Cams Alders, writes Mike Vimpany.

But, with table topping Petersfield Town beating Fawley 5-1 and Totton & Eling losing 3-0 to Hamworthy United, it remains status quo at the top and bottom of the Wessex League.

Winchester spent the bulk of a wind strewn first half chasing the game at Cams, where Bradley Norton unleashed a terrific 40-yard free kick into the top right-hand corner to give Fareham a shock early lead.

Getting men back behind the ball and defending as their lives depended on it, Fareham clung on to their lead until two minutes before half-time.

Then a game changing red card and resulting penalty led to a City equaliser.

Fareham central defender Matt Page received an automatic red card for pulling back Charlie Smeeton, just as the City man was about to pull the trigger.

Bentley equalised from the penalty spot to make it 1-1 at the break.

It was one-way traffic throughout the second half and once Winchester got their noses in front nine minutes into the period there was only one likely outcome.

Ironically Fareham, who had defended so gallantly, left Bentley unmarked from Smeeton’s cross and City’s top scorer glanced a header wide of goalkeeper Nick O’Donnell.

A controversial Winchester third goal shortly afterwards effectively killed Fareham off – the Town defenders appealing in vain for hand ball as Bentley fired his hat-trick goal.

As Fareham legs tired, Winchester doubled their tally in the closing stages – Liam Robinson scoring twice either side of a fifth goal by Stuart Green.