HIGH-RIDING Otterbourne were brought back to earth with a bump last night by local rivals Colden Common who triumphed 2-1 in their Wessex League Division 3 derby clash at Main Road.
The fourth-placed Otters fell behind to a cracking 25-yard effort from Dean Higgins after 25 minutes and, although Jim Bedford levelled for the visitors midway through the second half, Higgins struck again on 73 minutes when he followed up after Richard Lang's shot had been parried by the keeper.
"That's a good win for us, we demanded a performance from the team tonight and we certainly got it," said Common boss Dave Riddell.
Farnborough North End continue to head the Division 3 table after second-half strikes by Rory Todd (46), Darren Sked (75), Paul Xiberras (76) and debutant Brett Hannan (78) sealed a 4-0 victory at near neighbours Fleet Spurs.
Second-placed Paulsgrove also did the business in the second half of their local derby at AFC Portchester, a 25-yarder by susbstitute Jason House plus one by Mark McGarry at the second attempt earning them a 2-0 scoreline.
Clanfield are fast becoming the league's draw specialists, their goalless draw at Hayling was their seventh draw in ten starts. Hayling secretary Robert Mogg added: "With all the midweek games we've played so far, we both looked like two tired sides tonight."
Fleetlands and Hamble Club also drew 0-0 but Hamble manager Julian Walters had stronger views on the high number of midweek games.
"The league may pat themselves on the back and say look how many games we've got played, but these 6pm kick-offs are ridiculous. I had seven players here at 5.50pm, I dragged it out to 6.17pm and we finished the game in darkness."
Bishop's Waltham Town's excellent start to their Division 2 campaign ended last night when they were torn apart 6-1 by Horndean at Priory Park.
Waltham boss Phil Bailey sighed: "They were better that us by a country mile, they ripped us to shreds."
Two-goal Steve Warwick, Ashley Howard, Steve Tee, Paul Baker and Paul Netting did the damage for the visitors with the Bishops' consolation coming from Teff Edin.
Strikes from Lee Cunningham, Neil Sole and Wayne Kerr lifts Amesbury Town up into second spot in the Division 2 table following their 3-2 success at home to Blackfield & Langley.
The Watersiders replied through Andy McIsaac and a 90th minute effort by Rob Morant leaving Blackfield chairman Ian Hoare to rue: "We were always chasing the game and unfortunately were just not at the races at the moment."
After their six-goal pummeling by Poole on Saturday, Petersfield Town returned to winning ways after Adam Fawcett's twin-strike plus one by Graham Game secured them a 3-1 verdict at Andover New Street who replied through Andy Tobin.
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