Grove off to winning L4 Cup start

Paulsgrove had a squad of just 13 players as they started their L4 Teamwear Challenge Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over lower division Denmead.

Boss Wayne Grant even included assistant manager Steve Ledger in his match-day squad, but he was not needed with only 12 players used in the opening match for both teams in Group 7 of the Hampshire Premier League’s post-lockdown competition.

First half goals from Rob White and Danny Lane put Paulsgrove on the way to victory.

Ryan Harrison reduced the deficit after the restart before Shane Cornish restored Grove's two-goal advantage.

With Grove's reserves also in action on the same day in the Hampshire Combination East

Division, Grant had limited numbers to select from. But he was just pleased to see his side back out playing competitive football again after a break of nearly four months.

Grant said: 'To be out there was nice. We’re not really concerned about the results which is why we fielded the team we did.

'The reserves had a game as well so out of 46 signed on we only had 26 available this weekend.

‘We had 13 in my team that was including my assistant Steve Ledger.

‘We played Tuesday and then Saturday, now the ressies are playing Tuesday, then we’ve got games Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday.

‘If you said to the boys it’s that or no football, I know what they’d choose.'

Paulsgrove travel to Westleigh Park to face Clanfield in their second group game tomorrow before hosting Harvest Home on Saturday.

■ Hayling United boss Dan Bishop praised the performances of young guns Jack Mardell and Max Clapp and promised to keep giving youth a chance in the L4 Cup.

Both of the Humbugs’ prospects were introduced at half time in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Moneyfields Reserves in their opening Group 6 fixture.

Bishop told The News last week would be using the competition as a chance to cast his eye over the club’s brightest prospects.

He stuck to his word, handing both Mardell and Clapp the platform to show him what they could do.

Now Bishop has pledged to use more of the Humbugs’ reserves in the remaining group games against Locks Heath and Fleetlands.

He said: ‘Jack is a centremidfielder and Max is a central defender. They came on at half-time and did very well, they didn’t look out of place. There were one or two times where they were caught out with the game being a little bit quicker, but generally they did very well.

‘Again, they’ll learn from that because that’s how they are, good lads. We genuinely want lads from the island to be able to get up and play in the first team.

‘I want to build those bridges and let them be able to play.’

Hayling had to twice come from behind to ensure they avoided defeat in their opening group match in the Hampshire Premier League competition.

Ant Baker bagged two for the Humbugs after Danny Burroughs had twice put Moneys in front.

- LEWIS MASON