MARLEY Ridge put the cherry on the top of Moneyfields’ celebration cake in Saturday's 7-0 romp over Fawley AFC.

The young Havant & Waterlooville midfielder has returned to the Sydenhams Premier leaders for a second loan spell following stints with Winchester City and AFC Totton in the Southern One South & West this term.

Having gone on as a substitute, Ridge netted Moneys’ seventh of a landslide victory, joining Steve Hutchings (2), Gary Austin (2), Connor Bailey and Nathan Paxton on the scoresheet.

And, with just a quarter of the season remaining, it looks as if it will take a miracle to stop Moneyfields’ march to the title.

They have a ten-point gap over chasing Blackfield & Langley and, from the moment Bailey put them ahead with a 25-yard free-kick with just four minutes gone against third-to-bottom Fawley, there was only going to be one outcome.

Paxton and Hutchings made it 3-0 at the break and the Oilers suffered more of the same in the second half as Hutchings struck again from the penalty spot after James Guthrie had been floored.

Austin weighed in with a quick-fire double before Ridge added the final flourish.

Next up for Dave Carter’ table-toppers is a trip to Bashley this Saturday.

After a strong start to the season, Bash now find themselves in 15th spot following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at third-placed Portland United.

The Foresters were convinced Alex Holloran’s first-half opener for the Islanders should have been chalked off for a foul on goalkeeper Joe Prodomo.

Slack marking allowed Alex Godfrey to double Portland’s lead on the counter-attack early in the second period before Hugh Dathan threw Bash a lifeline with six minutes remaining.

But sub Jamie Beasley had the last word as Portland extended their unbeaten league run to 14 games.

The Dorset side are 11 points behind leaders Moneyfields with two games in hand.

Portland boss Gary Bailey admitted it wasn’t one of their best performances, but said: “You can’t be spectacular every week. Sometimes it’s a case of being dogged, getting your sleeves rolled up and doing enough to win.

“Bashley made it tough for us and it was a win we had to earn.

“It was a pleasing result and, with 222 people there, it was fantastic.”

Next up for Portland is a trip to Brockenhurst on Saturday.