STOCKBRIDGE maintained their Hants Premier title challenge with a 4-3 away win against a Hythe & Dibden side that played a lot better than their lowly league place indicates.

Barry Andrews' high-flying 'Bridge almost threw away the three points but finally settled things with two goals in the last five minutes from Paul Sanders.

'Bridge deservedly went ahead when Sean Sanders headed home after 20 minutes.

Hythe levelled with a controversial penalty 10 minutes later but 'Bridge ended the half on a high note with Colin Vince firing them back in front with a shot from outside the box for his third goal in successive games.

Playing down the slope in the second half, 'Bridge had Hythe pinned in their own half for the first 25 minutes of the second half but numerous chances went begging and Swainston made them pay for being so prolifigate when he broke away to level the scores for the second time.

It looked as though 'Bridge had shot themselves in the foot when Hythe went ahead for the first time with a second penalty 10 minutes from time .

But 'Bridge have got plenty of fire power up front and they were back on terms themselves with five minutes left when Paul Atkins sent Paul Sanders racing clear to score.

In the last minute 'Bridge repeated the act with Sean Sanders sending his brother clear again and he rounded the 'keeper before slotting the winner - their eighth victory in nine games.

"It looks as though we're having to score four goals to win a game," said Andrews, "but we've got a side that is always likely to score goals. We've always played some nice football in the past but never had the people on the end of things like we have at the moment."

But despite 'Bridge conceding three goals in each of their last two games, Andrews also had a word of praise for Tom Strauss who took over in goal for the unavailable Steve Whitcher and made a number of tremendous saves in the first half. "He came in and did remarkably well."

Stockbridge (4-4-2): Strauss; Allen, Thomson, Savage, Smith; Vince, Poultney, Butcher, Sanders (P); Sanders (S), Mann. Subs: Atkins (for Vince 65 mins), Sibley (for Mann 75 mins), Andrews (not used).

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Overton successfully completed the double over Compton within a fortnight either side of Christmas, with their 3-1 victory. The game was played on a muddy sloping pitch, which made simple football difficult. Overton started the stronger and took the lead after 15 minutes when Gary Savory curled a free-kick in from the right wing which the home keeper could only assist into the net. Adam Chambers grazed the Compton cross-bar with a long range effort in a first half of few chances. Compton made an immediate improvement in the second-half and were level within a few minutes of the restart, but Overton were soon back in front when Richard Weaver slid in from close range after Compton failed to clear a corner. Overton made sure of the win 10 minutes from the end when Tim Wright headed in another Savory free kick from close range. Overton: Hogan, Blackburn, Savory, Dicks, Poynter, Osmond, Weaver, McCann, Watts, Chambers, Matthew Taylor. Subs: White, Wright.

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Andover New Street again found themselves without a game after last Saturday's Hants Premier fixture at Locks Heath was called off due to their opponents having to play a re-arranged cup game. Tuesday night's home clash with Colden Common was also postponed due to the condition of the pitch at Foxcotte Park and Danny Mulberry's side are again without a game this season. Lifetime Financial sponsored Street's next game is next Tuesday when they take on NHL side ABC United in the second round of the Andover Open Cup at Charlton, kick-off 7.30pm. Street's young second strin was celebrating back-to-back wins in the JWL Combination with them following their midweek 3-1 win over Totton with a 2-0 away victory at Gosport Borough last Saturday. Under tremendous pressure in the first half, Street held out thanks to some inspired defending from Dave Bird, Dave Dunn and Gareth Evans and an outstanding display from Dave Tasker in goal. In the second half a more motivated and determined Street pushed the ball about with far more conviction. They got a goal back when Lee John crossed for young striker Bobby Swayne to head home and further Street efforts were rewarded when Nic Turpin was brought down in the box and Matt Styles slotted the resulting penalty to give Street a well deserved victory.