Seven days ago, Hythe and Dibden were licking their wounds after a six-goal Hampshire League mauling at Petersfield.

Last Saturday, they were the pick of the Premier Division after bringing down high-flying Horndean at Jones Lane.

It was a great day for the Hythe player manager Wayne Oakley, who scored a quality goal in each half to earn his side a hard-earned 2-1 victory.

Oakley described it as Hythe's best performance of the season and heaped special praise on central defenders Wayne Harvey and Ian Bowman and goalkeeper Dennis Wheeler, who stood their ground superbly when Horndean began to exert pressure in the second half.

Lymington Town saw their title hopes scuppered by a 9-2 defeat Portsmouth RN last week and they slipped further back after losing 3-0 at home to Stockbridge, who had Steve Witt (2) and Gavin Flye to thank for an unexpected success.

Premier Division top-dogs VT, though, go from strength to strength.

When they visited Brading early in the season, they put eight past them - they went easier on Saturday with seven! Gary Male led the way with a hat-trick supported by Mick Spinney (2), Lee Lake and John McFarland.

Poole Town came from a goal behind against bogey side Locks Heath to win 3-1 at Warsash Road. Lee Manning equalised from the penalty spot, Karim Banssauda netted a quality second and Boris Cornick rounded it off.

Fast improving Tadley Town led Alresford three times in their first division game but had to settle for a 3-3 draw as the visitors refused to lie down. Alex Myers (2) and Eddie Hauxwell scored for Tadley, while a shrewd substitution by manager Dave Stanbrook brought Micheldever their winner against Fleet Spurs. Nick Holmes came off the bench to get the winner with 15 minutes to go.

A week after surrendering their unbeaten league record in Division 2, Mottisfont bounced back to top form by walloping DC AFC 6-0. With the strongest team they have been able to put out this season, Motts outplayed the opposition with goals from Al Bundy (3), Michael Jackson, Matt Street and Robbie Abbott, playing his first game since recovering