Hamble could find themselves in the thick of the Hampshire/Surrey Regional League promotion race if they can beat Epsom at Satchell Lane on Saturday (1.30pm).

They gave their prospects a massive boost with a crucial 4-2 win over Woking, whose own hopes of a place in South Premier League, Division 2 next season are fading fast.

Hamble, third in the table and eight points adrift of Trojans, know they can ill afford to drop any more points if they are to finish runners-up.

"If we can secure the double over the outer-London side - who we edged out 3-2 at Epsom before Christmas - it will be a massive boost and claw us right back into the promotion hunt, with each of the other top sides still to play each other," says Hamble manager Chris Marsh.

Hamble started impressively at Woking and moved into a two-goal lead. Egyptian pair Hamoza and Ezz combined down the right for Steve Barber to seize his 20th goal of the season.

Steve's elder brother, Paul Barber, was on hand to sweep in a penalty corner after Ezz had his initial shot well saved.

Fourth-placed Woking, a side packed with experience, slowly clawed their way back into the game and deserved to pull a goal back through James Smith as Hamble failed to pick up after a quickly taken free-hit.

The second half was a more even affair with Woking enjoying possession without really penetrating, and Hamble breaking with pace but often denied by outstanding last-ditch defending.

A pushing foul on Ezz enabled the Egyptian international to make it 3-1 from a penalty flick.

But Woking's pressure in forcing six successive penalty corners was rewarded when Hugh Wilson got the score back to 3-2.

Hamble restored their advantage after a scrappy period when Giles Mathews, returning from a lengthy suspension, glanced home a shot from Mike Heaver to settle it once and for all in the visitors' favour.