Wimborne 0 - Winchester 2

As far as boss Neil Hards is concerned it's a case of "One down, three to go" for the amazing Abbotts Barton boys, who now have the FA Vase, League Cup and Russell Cotes Cup in their sights.

"We've got three cups left to go for and, believe me, we'll be doing everything we can to win all of them," said Hards.

"Last year we won the Hampshire League, the TrophyMan League Cup and Southampton Senior Cup and we said at the start of this season that our target was to improve on that by winning four trophies.

"The league's our bread and butter and we deserve to be where we are. We're the best side and we've proved that over 39 games.

"I'm so pleased for the players. They're a terrific squad who give me everything they've got. They've worked really hard for two years and winning back-to-back league titles is no more than they deserve."

As title deciders go, Saturday's windswept affair at The Cuthbury fell short of expectations for a 444 crowd.

But even when City are not at their sparkling best, there is one remarkable young man they can depend on to make an average day memorable.

Master marksman, scoring sensation, goal machine ... he's been called the lot. Andy Forbes simply never stops scoring.

One tempting bounce in the box and one made-to-measure cross from Gary Green was all the 24-year-old needed to bank two more goals on Saturday, boosting his season's account to a jaw-dropping 74.

"The lad's incredible - and such a nice guy too," acknowledged Hards. "He's so down to earth and not big-headed in any way. Fobesy's a real genuine kid."

Even beaten Wimborne boss Paul Arnold had to stand back and admire the quality of Forbes's finishing.

Comparing him to Arsenal's prospective player-of-the-season, he said: "He's like a Thierry Henry of the Wessex League because he's that little bit higher than the standard of the rest of the players."

While City's so-called 'big spending' has had its critics, you won't catch Arnold bleating on about them buying their way to the Wessex title.

He conceded: "They're worthy champions and have proved themselves a very good side. I've got nothing but admiration for what they've done. They set their stall out to win the league and some people are jealous of that, but that's what you have to do if you want to progress.

"I'm just pleased we made it hard for them. We've done well to keep on winning and I'm very proud of my lads."

While City fielded virtually the side pencilled in the play in the FA Vase final against AFC Sudbury on May 16, the Magpies were without influential skipper Darren Powell, who was suspended with immediate effect by the Dorset FA after his Easter Monday dismissal against Portland.

The former Bashley defender is alleged to have raised a hand to the referee as he protested against a penalty decision, but the club are rallying behind Powell and are ready to take the matter further.

It was Wimborne who carved out Saturday's first opening, but Ryan Lucas's volley flew straight at keeper Simon Arthur from Mark Smith's eighth-minute cross.

Winchester had the wind in their favour and, after Ian Mancey had turned and shot wide, his prolific strike partner was in the right place at the right time in the 21st minute.

Recent signing Gary Funnell delivered the ball in from the left, skipper Danny Smith took at stab at it and, amid a goalmouth scramble, it sat up invitingly for Forbes to crack home.

It could have been worse for Wimborne when Stewart Kearn fumbled Smith's cross, but Forbes's shot rebounded off the big keeper's body.

Seconds later, the Magpies went within inches of an equaliser as Marcus Oldbury took aim from the corner of the area and clipped the top of the crossbar.

In the second half City's slender lead was tested by a Jamie Sturgess header from Olbury's free kick and then an audacious David Beckham-style attempt by Scott Arnold, who had spotted Arthur off his line.

Arthur then saved point-blank from Oldbury before City finally got a grip again in the last 20 minutes.

Sturgess denied Lloyd Webber with a headed goalline clearance and Forbes flicked a shot just wide before wrapping up victory - and the championship - in the 79th minute.

Gary Green conjured up an inch-perfect cross from the right and there was the goal-hungry No10 to bury a firm downward header.

Danny Smith could have got a third from Forbes's lay-off and Mancey thought he'd scored in the 88th minute, but it was disallowed for a push.

The size of the victory mattered little to City, whose thumping goal difference of plus-112 means they are untouchable for the title.

"It was vitally important that we won today," said Hards. "I still want to win our last three league games, but this takes off a lot of the pressure. We've been playing catch-up on Wimborne all year, but we've plugged away to keep up with them.

"We've got 102 points now and, in any other league, the title race would have been over in February. It's a credit to Wimborne that it's taken us this long to win it. In fairness to them, they'd have won most other leagues with 99 points.

"Arnie (Paul Arnold) is a really nice guy and their players were very gracious in congratulating us."