Trojans flexed their muscles for Saturday's Hampshire/Surrey Regional League derby against Winchester at King's School with a thumping 9-1 win over struggling Old Mid Whitgiftians at Stoneham Lane.

It gave their goal difference a massive boost, but had skipper Campbell Williams warning his side "to expect Winchester to be a far different proposition" this weekend.

Trojans cut through the threadbare Old Boys defence almost at will, with Wayne Shepherd (2), Matt Sykes (2), Duncan Stewart, Steve Rhodes, Chris Wiseman, Julian Archer and Martin King all hitting the target.

Stewart and Rhodes celebrated their Regional League debuts with goals - teenager Rhodes cracking a shot into the top corner from the top of the D.

The result left Trojans a solitary point behind Barnes, who nicked an important 3-2 win at Woking, last season's RL runners-up.

But Winchester, in comparison, are finding goals hard to come by - a 3-1 defeat at London Edwardians compounded by missed chances.

"It was another case of Winchester having a majority of the game, creating chances and failing to win," lamented goalkeeper Craig Falkingham.

Despite calling the tune, Winchester found themselves caught by a sucker punch - but Mark Dobbie equalised direct from a penalty corner.

Alex Bennett was denied a penalty stroke as Winchester pressed forward, after which an Edwardians defender was badly injured, causing play to be halted for some 15 minutes.

The unscheduled break caused Winchester to lose their grip on the match and Edwardians scored twice in the closing stages to seal a 3-1 win.

Three wins in their last four games has sent Hamble rocketing to sixth place in the table.

They won 2-1 at Basingstoke, having to first overcome the 'springy' water-based Down Grange pitch before beating the opposition.

Steve Barber's opportunism earned Hamble a slightly fortunate half-time lead.

He chased Rory Marsh's speculative through-ball to the by-line before rifling an acute-angled shot past the bemused Basingstoke goalkeeper.

Greg Smith equalised for Basingstoke from a short corner, but Hamble bounced back, with Duncan Marsh hitting the winner with a searing drag flick.

Hamble completed the double over Basingstoke with a 3-2 win in the Second XI Regional League, but Trojans were held 1-1 by Old Mid Whitgiftians.

Despite goals by Nick Morris, Jem Evans and Ben Hibberd Winchester II went down 4-3 to London Edwardians.