Stockbridge 0 Totton and Eling 0.

Stockbridge players can be proud of their display against Wessex Division One runaway leaders Totton and Eling.

Athough the match finished in a stalemate the scoreline did not reflect what was a pulsating game which could have gone either way. Keeper Allan Ralph made a good save early on while at the other end Steve Witt saw an effort go just over the bar. The rest of the half saw both sides battling to get on top, but chances were few. Stockbridge fans thought their team had taken the lead just before the break when a cross from Steve Witt found Gavin Richards who headed home, but the referee spotted an infringement and the goal was disallowed.

The second half started at the same frantic pace and Chris Payne had a shot saved early on and soon after a Witt screamer went just wide. As the half went on Totton and Eling had plenty of the ball but resolute defending stopped them from being a real threat. This result means Stockbridge have only lost one league game in the last 13.

Stockbridge 3 Aldermaston 1.

Stockbridge began the new year in style with a convincing win over a useful Aldermaston side at the Recreation Ground last Wednesday week.

The victory was even more impressive because the Robins were without leading goal scorer Steve Witt due to work commitments. There was not much between the two sides in the first half as Gavin Richards and Ryan Boare went close for Stockbridge while at the other end keeper Allan Ralph pulled off two fine saves to deny the visitors.

The second half saw Stockbridge pile on the pressure and they soon got their reward when Mike Barker thundered the ball in from the right hand side. A minute later Chris Payne made it 2-0 when he volleyed home to set the home side on the road to victory. The visitors’ goal on 22 minutes came in bizarre fashion when a cross cum shot from the right looked to be going harmlessly out of play past the far post, when the ball hit a divot and diverted into the goal. Any hope was short-lived as a minute later the Aldermaston keeper could only parry a fierce shot from Payne and Dave Barker was on hand to slide the ball home. Nick Coates went close but the keeper somehow managed to divert his shot, that looked goal bound, onto the post.