Moneyfields determined to claim HPL promotion

Paul O'Rielly is determined to deliver Moneyfields Reserves the Hampshire Premier League promotion they were denied last season due to the pandemic.

And his squad appear to share the same hunger following a perfect start to the current campaign.

Moneys made it four wins from as many Division One matches with a 5-3 home triumph over AFC Netley.

It extended their HPL run to an astonishing 17 victories in 18 league games since the start of their debut 2019/20 campaign. The other game was a draw.

Despite taking the title on a points-per-game basis, Moneys were denied promotion to the

Senior Division as the top flight was cancelled by the FA, meaning no clubs were relegated to the second tier.

And O'Rielly insists that is giving his troops added motivation.

‘There was massive frustration (with the way last season ended),' he commented.

‘We put ourselves in a great position to get promoted and obviously Covid came along.

‘Although we still won the league on a points-per-game basis, the league decided against putting us up - even though it was within their remit to do so.

‘That was even more frustrating when it was taken to a league vote and we were voted against going up.

‘To keep all the lads interested, because there was a lot of interest from other clubs trying to take them away, but they’ve stuck with us and they’re all behind what we’re trying to do.

‘We purposely went out and had pre-season friendlies against teams that play in the Senior Division.

‘We did very well against those. ‘We’ve proven we can operate at that level, we’ve just got to get out of this league and get promoted finally.'

Moneyfields have netted 19 times in their four league matches, with Lamin Jatta's hat-trick in the win over Netley taking his tally to eight. Jatta, pictured, had previously scored three in a 4-1 home win over Silchester.

Oliver Long and Fred Penfold also scored against a Netley side that had won their opening two games.

O'Reilly's team entertain Andover New Street Swifts as they bid to continue their perfect start this weekend.

Hawks will today find out their first opponents of the delayed 2020/21 season.

The draw for the second qualifying round of the FA Cup is taking place, with ties scheduled for October 3.

Should Hawks be drawn at home, it will be the first competitive match played on their new £500,000 3G surface at Westleigh Park.

There are a handful of local clubs Hawks could well be drawn against.

Both Gosport Borough and Moneyfields held their nerve to win penalty shoot-outs in midweek.

Across the county border, Chichester City and Bognor Regis are also in the draw.