Agony as Archie’s season looks over

Fareham’s goalscoring defender needs a shoulder op

Fareham Town are fearful Archie Willcox will not feature for them again this season following his shoulder dislocation.

The defender suffered the setback during his side’s bank holiday Monday 'El Creekio' derby defeat to arch rivals AFC Portchester at Cams Alders.

Fareham boss Pete Stiles revealed the promising defensive prospect, 20, is now facing surgery on his injured shoulder.

Willcox has suffered the same injury on three separate occasions this season.

Stiles has revealed how Willcox popped his shoulder back in place during the first half against the Royals – a game in which he netted his 10th goal of the campaign in the first 45 minutes – only for it to come out of position again after the restart as he was forced offin front of Fareham’s biggest crowd since 1988 (621).

Stiles said: ‘Archie needs an operation - I don’t think we’ll be seeing him again this season. It just keeps popping out of the socket.

‘He’s a great footballer, he’s a great player. It’s come out

three times now (dislocating shoulder).

‘It actually came out earlier in the game and he put it back in place and carried on.

‘We thought we’d lost him when it popped out a few weeks back but he’d been playing with some sort of brace or sling underneath (his shirt).’

Fareham are quickly looking to put right Monday's Wessex League Premier Division defeat to Portchester - a game in which they lost 3-2 having held a twogoal first-half advantage.

And Stiles wants his squad to show what they are capable of as they travel to seventh-placed Bashley tomorrow aiming to avenge a 3-1 earlyseason Cams Alders loss.

The Reds boss said: ‘Bashley are a good side this year, it’s going to be difficult, but we’ve got a good record at Bashley so let’s hope we can continue it.

‘We’re a good side, when I’ve got my players there, we can beat anyone in that league - I don’t care who they are - if I’ve got my team out.’

Fareham will have both Elliott Holmes and Ross Kidson back available after recent naval commitments while midfielder Ryan Mackney will return to the squad for the trip to the New Forest. Bashley have not played a league game since December 18.