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REC CLAIM DORSET SENIOR CUP
May 3, 2024
Hamworthy Recreation completed a league-and-cup double in defeating Premier Division side, Shaftesbury, in the final of the Dorset Senior Cup on Tuesday evening.
Tyler Rudd (2) and Eddie Hodge put the Division One champions three to the good within an hour, before Brett Pitman pulled on back for Shaftesbury - who can be consoled in claiming a promotion of their own, having won the Premier Division play-offs just days prior.
Elsewhere, Millbrook will host Downton in the Division One play-off final on Saturday after both came through their semi-final ties in midweek against Fleetlands (5-1) and Alresford Town (2-0), respectively.
The IOW Gold Cup will be contested between Newport IOW and Cowes Sports - both seeing off Isle of Wight League opposition in Brading Town and Shanklin. The final takes place on Friday, May 10 at Westwood Park (7.30pm).
While in the Portsmouth Senior Cup, Portsmouth's Academy edged out Fleetlands 4-5 on spot-kicks after the sides drew 2-2 in normal time at Powder Monkey Park. Pompey will now visit Gosport Borough (09/05) for the right to face Royal Navy FA in the final at Baffins Milton Rovers on May 15.
Bank Holiday Monday sees the Wessex League Cup Final take place at AFC Portchester - the Royals taking on Hamble Club (3pm). Entry at the OnSite Group Stadium is £8 (adults) and £4 (concessions) with a printed programme, £2 available at the turnstile.
AFC Portchester have received a home draw against Aldershot Town in the semi-finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup. Gav Spurway's table-toppers are in a quest to make it back-to-back victories in the competition, will face the National League outfit - who saw off Tadley Calleva 6-1 to reach the last four. Portchester's path meanwhile has already included triumphs against opposition higher in the pyramid in Basingstoke and Havant & Waterlooville. There's further Velocity Wessex League representation in the other semi-final, with AFC Stoneham visiting either Hamble Club or Sholing. Hamble overcame Southampton's Academy 2-0 in the second round, while fellow Premier Division title-challengers, AFC Stoneham beat Winchester City by the odd goal of three to make this stage. Ties for those semi-finals are to be confirmed, however The Snows Stadium - home to AFC Totton - will host the final on Tuesday, April 15 (7.45pm). See our Fixtures page for updates. Photo: Nathan Lipsham
Andover New Street's march in the Isuzu FA Vase continued on Saturday in a thrilling all-Velocity Wessex League last 16 encounter against AFC Stoneham. A crowds of 565 at Foxcotte Park saw Oliver Jenkins give Stoneham the lead on the quarter-hour - and that's how it stayed until late drama ensued; Greg Peel finding the target to level for New Street - three minutes into added time.
Andover New Street have been reinstated into the Isuzu FA Vase (*subject to appeal) after Roman Glass St George fielded an ineligible player during their Fourth Round tie on January 11. An FA National League System board sub-committee met on Thursday, revealing that Roman Glass St George had fielded a player under suspension. Subject to Roman Glass St George's right to appeal, Street will host an all-Wessex tie in the last 16 of the competition - a record for both sides - on February 1, guaranteeing one a place in the quarter-finals. FA Vase - Full Draw
Dates for the Velocity Wessex League Divisional play-offs and cup final for 2024/25 have been released, with details as follows: PREMIER DIVISION PLAY-OFFS Tuesday, April 2 (2nd v 5th) - 7.45pm k.o Wednesday, April 23 (3rd v 4th) - 7.45pm k.o Saturday, April 26 (Final @ venue of club finishing highest in regular season) - 3pm k.o DIVISION ONE Tuesday, April 29 (2nd v 5th) - 7.45pm k.o Wednesday, April 30 (3rd v 4th) - 7.45pm k.o Saturday, May 3 (Final @ venue of club finishing highest in regular season) - 3pm k.o CUP FINAL Monday, May 5 - Velocity Wessex League Cup Final (at AFC Portchester) - 3pm k.o
The draw for the quarter-finals of the Velocity Wessex League Cup was made on Sunday during the Radio Show . Last season's winners, Hamble Club head to Hamworthy Recreation, while current Premier Division table-toppers, AFC Portchester, head over the Solent to East Cowes Victoria. An intriguing tie will take place at Cams Alders as Fareham Town host Division One leaders, New Milton Town, while Cove will be looking for another Premier Division scalp following their victory over Baffins Milton Rovers, as they head to Millbrook in the last eight. The full draw is below with dates of the ties to be confirmed. Keep an eye on our fixtures page or weekly newsletter for updates: East Cowes Victoria v AFC Portchester Fareham Town v New Milton Town Hamworthy Recreation v Hamble Club Millbrook v Cove Photo: Nathan Lipsham
As we come to the end of my first six months as the chair of the Velocity Wessex League, it is time to reflect on the season 2024-25 so far. The weather has been kind to us so far and most clubs have completed close to half of their league programme. Both the Premier Division and Division One have competitive battles at both the top and bottom of the tables and I am sure that the race for the title and play-off positions will be interesting right up to the final games. Special congratulations are offered to the three teams that remain in the FA Vase, namely AFC Stoneham, Andover New Street and Fareham Town. Whilst they all face difficult away ties on January 11, everyone in the League wishes them well and hope they can carry the Velocity Wessex League flag into the next round. Off the field, focus for clubs will have to be achieving FA ground accreditation by March 31, 2025. There is the threat of relegation for clubs that do not achieve accreditation, and the league do not want to lose any club on this basis, so please can I ask clubs to focus on getting the required work finished in good time so that promotion and relegation is only decided as it should be, on the field. If you require any assistance regarding ground accreditation, please do not hesitate to contact Ian Harley or myself. As we reach the end of 2024, I would like to thank my fellow league officers for the work they do on behalf of the league, and the time spent and knowledge they have to offer clubs does not go unnoticed. I would particularly like to thank the league secretary Steve Smith for his work and dedication to the role, and he has helped make my transition into the Chairman’s role go smoothly. As I thank the officers, I would like to pay tribute to the League President Dennis Challis who sadly passed away following a short illness recently. Dennis was a font of knowledge and support for me, and our thoughts are with his wife Val and his family at this time. I also thank and acknowledge the support of Joe, Will and the team at Velocity Sports, our main sponsor. Without their financial backing it would make running the league harder for both the league officers and clubs. I would also like to thank all club officers and volunteers for the work that they do to keep all clubs functioning to the standard required of a club within the FA’s National League System, it is appreciated. Finally, I would like to wish everyone in the Velocity Wessex League 'family' a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2025. Nick Taplin Chairman Velocity Wessex League
