uhlsport HAMPSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE

After all the cup activity of recent weeks, we have a weekend with a full league programme, and in both divisions, the top two meet each other! The Senior Division sees second-placed AFC Shirley, 100% record, with seven wins out of seven, play their first match at Miller Park (Totton & Eling's ground) when they host current leaders Moneyfields Res, currently unbeaten in their ten league games played. Third-placed Hook (there have now been 58 goals in their ten league games played) host Crofton Saints, who have been improving after a poor start and had won four games in a row before running Shirley close last Saturday. Fourth-placed Whitehill & Bordon are not in action, so the three teams below them can move to within a point of them with wins, but they all have away games - Bishops Waltham Dynamos, after their great cup result in midweek, play second-bottom Broughton; Southsea Sports, after their 8-0 Hampshire Saturday Trophy win last weekend, take on Liphook United; and AFC Netley are at Overton United, Reigning champions Locks Heath need to pick up some points as they are still in the bottom third of the table, despite having games in hand - this time they host US Portsmouth, the team just below them. Two teams around mid-table, in mixed form, face each other at Gang Warily as Blackfield & Langley play Meon Milton, and bottom team Denmead have to go to Liss Athletic, who are third bottom but have games in hand. In Division 1 Hedge End Town, second with seven wins out of seven, entertain leaders Nursling & Shirley, who have eight wins out of eight. Something has to give! Whiteley Wanderers are still going well in third, and this time they are at home to Sway, who have games in hand on the top five, so need a result here too. Sporting Wessex are fourth, a good start at this level, and they host the new-look Paulsgrove, who only lost by a single goal at Meon Milton in the cup last weekend, but are still looking for their first point in the league. Lyndhurst, in fifth, have also had a good start having come up again this season; they will be looking to get back on track against Stockbridge, having lost on penalties to Waterlooville last weekend. Two teams who are rather inconsistent are Andover Town and BTC Southampton, they are home to Mob Albion and away to Headley United respectively, who are both in the bottom six. Two teams currently in the bottom three meet at the Everest as North Waltham play Hayling United, and Horndean United, not far above them, host Twentyten. Good luck to all teams!

I would just like to write a few words to all clubs, players, supporters and committee members before the new season commences on Saturday, August 1 . Firstly, I would like to welcome all of the new clubs to the League. Horndean United, Sporting Wessex, North Waltham and Lyndhurst will be entering Division One , while Blackfield & Langley and United Services Portsmouth join the Senior Division . We wish all of these clubs every success for the season ahead. A lot has changed since the end of last season. Following the sad passing of our League Secretary, Paul Croker , there has also been a significant change within the committee. At our AGM, several long-serving and senior committee members stepped down, leaving us looking for a new committee. With the support of our Life President, John Moody , and our current committee members, we have put in place a new Chairman, Treasurer, Welfare Officer, Discipline Secretary and Registration Secretary. When I joined the committee in February, I never thought I would be in the position I am today. I am thoroughly enjoying my role as League Secretary and am looking forward to supporting all of our clubs and players throughout the coming 2026/27 league and cup season . I hope you all have a successful and enjoyable season, with the full support of both myself and the committee. Stuart Davies