HAMBLE ASSC were left seeing double after being floored by a thumping 10-0 scoreline as heavyweight champions WINCHESTER CITY went goal-crazy at Folland Park on Saturday.

To make matters even worse for the Planemakers, they had keeper Nick O'Donnell sent off on 61 minutes - when the score was 6-0 - for dissent, forcing defender Paul Miles to take over between the posts.

The goals were evenly spaced throughout the one-sided affair with four-goal Jamie Laidlaw hoisting his season's tally to 22, Jaswinder Chahal and Shaun Dyke both netted twice with Mark Smith and Jamie Musselwhite, against his former club, rubbing salt in a gaping wound.

Neil Hards's men now find themselves eight points clear at the summit after nearest rivals Gosport BOROUGH could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to VTFC.

"We never got out of the dressing room today and VT probably deserved to win it," admitted Gosport secretary Brian Cosgrave. Graham Lindsay capitalised on a defensive slip to give the home side a 53rd-minute lead, Gary Male equalising for the Boatmen 15 minutes from time.

THATCHAM manager Jason Braidwood was a happy man after watching his team secure their first victory at PORTLAND UNITED in five attempts.

"We've had a number of draws at Portland and we always seem to struggle so it's really nice to get the result," smiled Braidwood following their 6-2 success over the Dorset strugglers.

Ian Davies (2), Chris Blackford, Bob McClay, Jamie Green and a Tommy McCormack penalty made up the Thatcham sextet, Levi Dailey and Danny Cullen replying for the hosts who had Gary Morgan sent off after just ten minutes.

Thatcham's neighbours AFC NEWBURY also ended something of a hoodoo with their 2-0 victory at BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS.

"Bemerton beat us twice last season which makes our result today that much more pleasing," admitted Newbury boss Guy Whittingham.

The visitors opened the scoring after 30 minutes when Danny Mattingley fired in from the edge of the area and Anthony Alleyne bagged their second goal on 85 minutes following good work by Ashley Vine.

Also ending their jinx were table-proppers DOWNTON, who finally collected their first point in 16 attempts in a creditable 1-1 draw with WIMBORNE TOWN at Wick Lane.

The revitalised Robins struck first with Luke Hatchman firing them into a 65th-minute lead only for Wimborne to reply ten minutes later through Paul Roast.

The match between BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES and HAMWORTHY UNITED ended goalless, as did the clash between AFC Totton and MONEYFIELDS at Testwood Park.

Four goals in the last 20 minutes spelt disaster for Totton's neighbours BAT as they crashed 4-0 to CHRISTCHURCH just around the corner at their Southern Gardens home.

"What pleased me the most is that we had four or five first-team players missing today," beamed Christchurch boss Pete Moore.

Scott Joyce headed in Steve Bernard's centre to put Moore's men on their way in the 70th minute and a spectacular 18-yard scissor-kick by Joyce doubled it just five minutes later.

Richard Bentley slotted past the BAT keeper for number three with Paul Rideout notching a fourth before the final whistle.

Goals from Justin Bennett (70) and Phil Andrews (80) were sandwiched around the sending off of ALTON TOWN midfielder John Edwards as ANDOVER came from behind to triumph 2-1 at Anstey Road.

"The dismissal of Edwards was undoubtedly the turning point," said Alton chairman Jim McKell.