LAST season's beaten finalists Fareham Town have switched their Hampshire Senior Cup tie to Aldershot Town tonight (7.45) on police advice.

Concerned by a history of problems involving travelling Shots fans, Fareham chairman Bob Ralls consulted the local constabulary, who recommended moving the match away from Cams Alders.

Ralls said: "I had to let the police know about the game and they decided that for health and safety reasons and possible difficulties in the community that there wouldn't be enough resources to police the game. So I went to the FA and requested we reverse the fixture."

It's not the first time Aldershot's travelling hoards have given cause for concern in the county cup. Because of crowd unrest at the 1999 HSC final against Basingstoke at The Dell, Southampton refused to stage the final the following season and it was switched for one year to Basingstoke's Camrose Ground.

Ralls said: "Fareham's only a small town and I accept we must take advice from the local police. Aldershot get bigger crowds than we do and it will be an experience for our youngsters to play there."

Fareham will be without Maurice Stuart. The young left-back is taking time out from the club to concentrate on his university studies in Southampton.

AFC Totton boss Stuart Ritchie leads his troops into Hampshire Senior Cup action against his old club Newport IoW at Testwood Park tonight.

And, according to Island boss John Linington, Ritchie could well have been playing on opposite side had he not got his big break into management.

Linington revealed: "We were trying to persuade Stu to come back to us in the summer. He's a quality player who is still very popular at Newport and we would like to have had him back in a player/coach's role."

Newport have signed 18-old-old midfielder Wayne Newnham, but the East Cowes Vics skipper's first loyalties remain at Beatrice Avenue and he will only be available for midweek games.

Port, however, have failed in an attempt to woo wide left player Sam Hart from Cowes Sports.