VOSPER THORNYCROFT manager Dave Diaper is almost ready to hand the Hampshire League title to Winchester City.

And at in form Ringwood tomorrow he and his side will be looking for another win in their quest to winning the top flight's 'second division'.

He said: "If we win at Ringwood we'll go ten points behind Winchester City and we still have to play them later in the season so who knows what will happen.

"Really, though, we know it's going to be difficult to stay close to them. They're too good for our league, they're in a league of their own and won't be in it for much longer so it will be no disgrace to finish second to them this season."

Vosper travel to the New Forest tomorrow on the back of a 4-2 midweek win at home to Petersfield.

But Diaper knows it will not be easy against a Ringwood side who broke into the top five for the first time this season at the weekend.

Vosper are already without Dean Byrne and Ashkan Karinzadeh because of work commitments and Diaper added: "Ringwood are flying at the moment and it's always difficult down there, we expect a hard game. Like most games in this league, the Petersfield match was a very hard fixture and we know that we've got to be on top of our game again at Ringwood.

"They have played five more than us but they have three or four quality players and we'll be giving them the respect they're due."

East Cowes Vics boss Tony Newman will give a home debut to new signing Steven Coyle against Locks Heath. Newman will welcome Kevin Parris's side to Beatrice Avenue four days after winning his first game since returning to the club as manager.

Vics added to Pirelli General's problems with a 5-0 rout on Tuesday night, and left wing back Coyle marked his debut with a goal. Now Newman will give Vics regulars their first chance to watch the 28-year-old in action.

He said: "I've known Steven since he was a youth player at Ryde. He's the perfect wing back in that he can attack and defend. He's also naturally left footed, he's a great asset."Liam Geering still has a thigh problem but other wise Vics are at full strength. Russ Holbrook works for the services but he is available over Christmas and Peter Dyer is also fit again."

Newman knows little about sixth placed Locks Heath, other than that they are seven points behind with a game in hand, having lost their last two matches.

He added: "Usually I am the sponge man as well as the manager but here I hardly have to do anything! The assistant manager and the captain know about Locks Heath and the committee here have been fabulous."

Hythe & Dibden welcome fellow strugglers Aldermaston to the Ewart Recreation Ground intent on staying clear of the bottom two.

Second from bottom Aldermaston are two points behind nearest rivals Hythe with two games in hand.

If anyone is likely to be relegated from the premier division of the Hampshire League for the first time since its inception, it is likely to be Fawley, who are well adrift at the bottom.

Until the Hampshire League's meeting with the FA on January 7, when plans to turn members of the premier division into the second tier of the Wessex League are discussed, it is not clear what will happen.

But Hythe chairman Robbie Parsons said: "It's a big enough incentive just to stay clear of the bottom two, we don't want that and a win on Saturday will obviously help to make sure that we don't.

"It's going to be a hard and close game but we're playing well. We lost with the last kick of the match to Ringwood last week, hopefully our luck's about to change."