Hampshire League

DEFENDING champions Amesbury Town were torn apart by one of the Hampshire League's brightest newcomers last Saturday.

Striker Adam Robinson, snapped up by East Cowes Vics from Island League side Binstead late last year, scored a second-half hat-trick as the Vics raced home 5-1.

Robinson, who has now scored seven goals in just six games, completed his terrific treble after Neil Roberts and Mick Butler had given the Vics a two-goal interval lead.

Richard Glennister is another striker who has grabbed seven goals in six games after his move from AFC Lymington & New Milton. He led Poole Town on a six-goal rampage against Esso Fawley.

Hot-shot Glennister scored a hat-trick for the Dolphins who completed a seven-day double over the Oilmen. They beat them 3-0 last week.

Ironically it was Esso who had the best of the early stages on Saturday when Poole keeper Terry Stockley was called on to make a couple of important saves. But once Kieron Wall had given Poole the lead after a chapter of mistakes in the Esso goalmouth, Poole never looked back.

Chris Pratt and Jamie Holland, who had another impressive game, scored the other goals for Poole who stretched their winning run in the Premier Division to eight games.

Pirelli General still have the lead in the Premier after a gutsy 3-2 victory at Brading - their second win in the Isle of Wight in three weeks.

The game at Vicarage Lane came alive after a goalless first half. Glen Hancock gave Pirelli the lead early in the second-half then Richie Woodburn equalised from a good through ball by Kevin McArthur before the Cablemakers took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Paul Beesley and Steve Trott, from the penalty spot, gave them a 3-1 lead, Lawrence Edmonston pulling one back with a late penalty conversion for Brading.

The Premier Division games at New Street (v Alton) and Petersfield (v Aldermaston) both fell victim of the frosty weather.

Winchester Castle were left wishing they hadn't played at Hilsea. The Division 1 leadersde lost their unbeaten record for the season as the Portsmouth side beat them 2-0, with first half goals.

Castle general manager Steve Beck said: "We were second best on the day and deserved to lose. Now it's a test of our character as to how quickly we can pick ourselves up again."

Lee Rankin gave QK Southampton an early lead against Division 2 title-chasers Farnborough North end who then showed their mettle by bouncing back to win 4-1.

Laverstock & Ford, another side with championship aspirations, also had to come from behind against Ordnance Survey to win 2-1 courtesy of goals from Steve Rogers and Dominic Male.

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