Hopefully the second half of the week will see some drier weather, as there are some important matches coming up at the weekend.

In the Hampshire Saturday Trophy, six of the eight quarter-final places are taken by HPFL teams, which must be one of our best ever (add to that two of our teams being in the semi-finals of other important local competitions).

Four of them play each other this weekend, a cracker is in prospect at Seafield Park as Division One Crofton Saints entertain Senior Division Locks Heath - a local derby, and both teams high in their respective leagues. Another Division One outfit, Headley United, who beat Andover Town in the last round, entertain Senior Division leaders Colden Common in another attractive tie. 

With the top two in the Senior Division in cup action, the teams behind them have the opportunity to make up some ground. Third-placed Bishops Waltham Dynamos will be hoping to get over a big home defeat by Harvest last Saturday as they host Whitehill and Bordon.

Hook, in fourth, have games in hand on those above them but have a tricky home game against seventh-placed Meon Milton, another team looking to atone for a poor result last time out against bottom team Paulsgrove. The Grove travel to Hedge End Rangers, who are fifth after a good recent run, so this could be interesting. Andover Town are now sixth after no wins in their last four games and they play Liss Athletic, another team with games in hand on those above and on a good run.

 Harvest and Stockbridge are now firmly mid-table and play each other at the Langstone. Level on points at the bottom with Paulsgrove are now Sway, and they are at home to Liphook United, who are now fifth-bottom having shipped 30 goals in six league defeats since mid-October. Finally, third-last Moneyfields Res entertain Denmead, only three places but 10 points above them. 

In Division One, leaders Broughton are at home to second-placed Hedge End Town in what is clearly a massive game. Both teams have won their last three. Behind them, Overton United will be looking to make up for their heavy defeat at Silchester with a trip to fourth-bottom Whiteley Wanderers, without a win in five but with some decent performances.

 AFC Netley moved into fifth last weekend and hope to continue their seven-match unbeaten run as they play Silchester. Upham are just below Netley and they go to last-placed Twentyten.

 QK Southampton are just above Twentyten at the bottom and face a trip to Mob Albion, three points and seven points better off then they are. Hayling United are near to mid-table after a decent run and they face Rushmoor Community, just one place above them.

Written by: Paul Harris