Bishop's Waltham 3, U.S. Portsmouth 4

BISHOP'S Waltham's stop-start season took a backward step on Saturday, but they redressed the balance with a fine win on the Isle of Wight on Wednesday night.

Although it's been an abnormally dry winter, chronic drainage problems affecting both goalmouths at Waltham's Priory Park ground have led to a string of postponements. Saturday's match against US was the first time the pitch had been played on since December 7th!

Waltham's players have gone off the boil rather since then, and although they took to the field with a genuine goalkeeper on Saturday - Andy Weeks defied his long-standing back problem to turn in a fine performance - they started poorly and were two down by half-time.

The Bishops gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Pete Williams scored with a header straight after the break, but two more US goals - one a spectacular 30-yard Andy Rolls free-kick - sealed Waltham's fate.

The hosts belatedly played better after that. Luke Musselwhite scored from the spot after Jamie Sims had his shirt pulled, and a couple of minutes later a deep Sims cross was headed home by Chris Yoxall to make it 4-3.

But despite a rousing finish, Glen Lickman striking an upright, the Bishops had left it too late.

Brading Town 2, Bishop's Waltham Town 3

Waltham picked up a welcome three points in adverse circumstances on Wednesday night on the Isle on Wight.

Luke Musselwhite's 25-yard lob gave them an early lead, but defender Allen Miles was sent off for a professional foul soon afterwards.

Brading goals either side of half-time left the Bishops staring down the barrel, but they responded in fine style.

Jamie Sims equalised with a superb jinking run from the right, cutting in to curl the ball past the Brading keeper's grasp, and Chris Yoxall grabbed the winner ten minutes from time.

He was on hand to tuck the ball away when the home keeper could only parry a Pete Williams header.