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Jewson Wessex League: Lymington & N M 1 - Fareham Town 2

From the archive, first published Monday 30th Dec 2002.

Don't mention the Portsmouth area when you speak to Lymington & New Milton player/manager Graham Kemp.

Second-placed Lymington & NM surrendered their 100 per cent home record when they were beaten 2-1 by Fareham, which now means that all three of the Linnets' defeats this season have been at the hands of teams from the Portsmouth area.

Lymington lost their tag of invincibility a month ago when they were beaten 3-1 at Gosport. A fortnight later they were thumped 3-0 at nearby Moneyfields

This defeat has hurt manager Kemp far more than the other two setbacks as his side totally dominated the first 80 minutes, only for Fareham to stage a late smash `n' grab raid.

"I'm almost lost for words," sighed Kemp. "I can't fault the effort put in by our lads today, it was superb. They've worked so hard on a heavy pitch and given absolutely everything yet we've been kicked in the teeth.

"It's very demoralising and, unlike the defeats at Gosport and Moneyfields, this one will be hard to bounce back from. For the first time, I left the football club at 5.30pm to go home to try and think and to regroup," added Kemp.

Lymington's pressure wasn't rewarded until the 67th-minute when Andy Jones's corner kick was headed in by Paul Gazzard but Fareham, who won 2-1 at Fawcetts Field last season and triumphed 4-2 at Totton last Saturday, had other ideas.

With ten minutes remaining Lloyd Webber's left-wing cross was met by Bjay Green who scored with a looping header and, two minutes from time, a melee in the Linnets' penalty area ended with substitute Floyd Hamoudu stroking home the winner.

Fourth-placed Wimborne Town were also among the goals as they maintained their title push with the help of a Paul Sims hat-trick in their 6-1 victory at Blackfield & Langley.

Mark Smith put the Magpies in front on five minutes but Blackfield rallied and were back on terms after 26 minutes through Stephen Wheatland.

Once Jamie Sturgess had restored their lead six minutes later there was no looking back for Wimborne as Sims sunk the home side and Gareth Barnes added a sixth.

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