Romsey captain Dave Miles has issued an ‘early to bed’ instruction to his players in the build up to Saturday’s crucial Hampshire/Surrey Regional Division 2 relegation duel with Southampton University at Wide Lane (10.30am).

“We need to be sharp and ready to go – so that means a quiet Friday night at home in front of the telly for the lads,” Miles told his players after yesterday’s training session.

“We’ve dropped into second from bottom position and can ill-afford not to beat the university, who will be on a high after beating the Bank of England to win their first game.

“They are obviously a fit, young side, so our preparation has to be spot on.”

Romsey have dropped into the relegation zone on the back of four straight defeats – the latest of which came against the Honourable Artillery Company, who gunned the Abbey men down by a 5-2 scoreline.

The HAC firepower scored two direct hits early on and went 3-0 up.

Ben Mullan reduced the arrears but HAC reloaded and scored twice more before half-time.

Romsey did at least restore some pride by ‘winning’ the second half, the inspirational Joe Welch scoring.