ANYONE who has earmarked Downton as a dead cert for relegation had better think again.
According to manager Jeff Softley, the Wiltshire club are going nowhere.
They may be bottom of the Wessex Division 1, but four points from their last two games have convinced Softley that the only way is up for the revitalised Robins.
"Hopefully this is the start of us climbing the ladder," he joyfully declared after Downton had followed their first point of the season - a 1-1 draw against Wimborne - with a 4-2 defeat of fellow strugglers Hamble ASSC last Saturday.
It narrows the gap on Larry Clay's Planemak-ers to four points with Downton having the luxury of three games in hand.
Although Softley was not overimpressed with the performance against Hamble, goals by Matty Guy (2), Darren Hedges (og) and Kevin Thick bore out his belief that Downton are better than their league position suggests.
The man who succeeded Mitch Blake at the Wick Lane helm in September insisted: "We're a far better side than Hamble - I knew that before we played them.
"Even when Gosport beat us, their manager said he couldn't believe we were down at the bottom. A lot of people rate us a decent side, but this league is all about taking chances.
"I can tell you now though that we won't go down. I'm going to pull this out of the bag for the club. And when I do, I can't wait for next year because there's so much potential here."
To keep their revival going tomorrow, Downton must succeed where a host of clubs have failed this season - by beating surprise packages Moneyfields.
Although the Ports-mouth club are only mid-table, it has not gone unnoticed by Softley that they have strung together an awesome 11-match unbeaten league run under the joint management of Craig Stafford and Miles Rutherford.
Softley forecast: "It's going to be tough down there. Moneyfields are a big, strong side. They've drawn most of their games (ten out of 18), but they've only lost four, which is some achievement.
"If we could get at least a point tomorrow, I'd be happy with that. To survive we need to pick up a point away and three points at home. We can definitely pull away from the bottom as long as we keep believing in ourselves."
The return of the newly-wed Guy has given Downton extra punch up front alongside Luke Hatchman, who netted 50-odd goals in local football last season.
They have also recruited young midfielder Danny Gain from BAT and left-footed defender Matt Sleman, who has played higher league football in the London area.
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