Hampshire League, Division 1

Colden Common 4, Verwood 1

A Hampshire League championship and Intermediate Cup double beckons for Colden Common, who will have two pieces of silverware in their cabinet if they beat Southbourne at Christchurch's Hurn Bridge ground tomorrow (Sat., 4.30pm), writes Mike Vimpany.

Common, who clinched the league title with a 4-1 win over Verwood, go into tomorrow's final as hot favourites.

Surprise finalists, second from bottom Southbourne are battling to avoid relegation in the Hayward Bournemouth League, Division 1.

But manager Dave Riddell is playing down Colden Common's "favourites" tag.

"The fact they've reached the final suggests Southbourne are probably a better side than their five-wins league position indicates," he warned.

"They've knocked out Netley Central Sports and RS Basingstoke (on penalties) to get there, so they can't be that bad."

But Common will be full of confidence after clinching their first league title since 1996 with a comfortable victory over relegation threatened Verwood.

Riddell, who only moved to Common from Upham at the turn of the year, described the performance as "disappointing from a football point of view."

The champions-elect were up and running after just eight minutes - James Atterbury heading home Jo Hinchcliff's corner.

Common lost their way after that early break and failed to find any rhythm until they sank Verwood with two goals in three minutes immediately before half-time.

Dean Higgins volleyed the second and Rich Lang bagged the third after a neat left-hand side move involving Joe Hodge and Jim Hart.

Three up at the break, Colden Common effectively had both hands on the trophy.

But their celebrations were put on hold midway through the second half when goalkeeper Marc Cole missed his intended clearance as Kevin O'Shea's 25-yard back pass rolled into the Common net.

Order - and Common's three-goal lead - was restored when substitute Chris Sanger notched the fourth to confirm Riddell's side as champions.

Common 1, Overton 2

Common came down to earth with a bump on Tuesday night when Overton became the only side to complete a double over them during the season.

Fielding a side weakened by injuries and unavailability, they made a bad start and two defensive mistakes cost them dear.

Overton went on to score on both occasions, leaving the champions with lots to do.

They pulled back a goal right on half-time when Joey Hinchliffe crossed for Simon Waters to knock the ball in off the post.

But despite having a number of second half chances they were unable to draw level.