Fleetlands’ turn to try and end a stunning run
Fleetlands take their turn to try and end one of only two unbeaten league records in the top 10 tiers of English football tonight.
Twenty fours after hosting Totton & Eling, the Coptermen travel to Dorset to face Wessex League Division 1 champions Hamworthy Recreation.
The Hammers clinched the title with five games to spare after beating East Cowes 3-1 at the weekend.
That was their 32nd 10th tier win in 35 fixtures this season, with the other three drawn.
The only other club still unbeaten in the top 10 tiers are Combined Counties League South champions Farnham, who have won 31 and drawn two of their 33 matches.
Hamworthy, who have now won their last 11 league games, can boast 47-goal Chris Long and 31-goal George Deem.
They are the main contributors to the club’s total of 140 goals - the joint second highest in the top 10 tiers behind Combined Counties Division 1 outfit Amersham (148). Millbrook, second in Wessex 1, have also belted 140 goals, but in two more games than the Hammers.
Fleetlands remain in play-off contention, seven points behind East Cowes - who occupy the final play-off slot in fifth place with three games in hand prior to last night.
Steve Claridge’s men had to settle for a 3-3 draw at mid-table Whitchurch at the weekend.
But considering they trailed 3-1 entering stoppage time, it was a decent point.
Dale Mason, who had hit a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Verwood two days earlier, netted both late, late goals. Sam Martin had earlier scored.
Clanfield welcome Hamworthy to Westleigh Park this Saturday.