BROCKENHURST are toasting the signature of arguably the most decorated player in Jewson Wessex League football.

New Forest legend Jimmy Sheppard, who has won honours galore during champagne spells with Bashley and Lymington, is one of three new arrivals at Grigg Lane.

Now 35, the gritty midfielder captained Bashley to the Southern League Southern Division title during a ten-year, 548-game stint at the Recreation Ground and has six Jewson Wessex League winners' medals in his glittering collection.

His two-year contract at Lymington & New Milton was not due to run out until the summer but long-term admirers Brockenhurst have netted their man for an undisclosed fee.

"Let's just say we've paid up Jimmy's contract and it's well worth it for a player of his experience," said assistant Brock boss Chris Collinge. "Jimmy is the most successful Jewson Wessex player in this area."

Weather permitting, Sheppard will make his Brock debut for the reserves at home to Portsmouth RN tonight and then get stuck into first team action at Downton on Saturday.

The move marks the end of an era for Lymington who bought Sheppard for a four-figure fee from Bashley in January 1996.

"Jimmy's been a superb servant to this club but our application is going in for Dr Martens League football and, at 35, he would not want to be part of that. He doesn't want to travel," said Linnets boss Derek Binns.

"It's sad to see him go, but we've got to get our midfield right in preparation for next season and Brockenhurst made us an offer we could not refuse."

Brock have also signed exciting 18-year-old frontman Stuart Cooper from Bashley - although he is suspended until January 1 - and centre-half Nathan Bryant, the reigning Poole Town player-of-the-year.

The return of wet weather has knocked another hole in the local football programme.

Bashley have reluctantly called off tonight's scheduled friendly against Portsmouth's under-21s and Newport's ill-fated Hampshire Senior Cup tie against Basingstoke was rained off last night.

Two-goal Andy Forbes took his season's tally to 29 last night as holders Andover brushed New Street aside 4-0 in the North Hants Senior Cup. Vince Rusher and Danny Mattingley polished things off.

Jewson Wessex League underdogs Blackfield & Langley courageously held a young Farnborough Town side 0-0 after extra time in the Hampshire Senior Cup third round on Monday night. But it was the Ryman thoroughbreds who triumphed 3-2 in a penalty shootout courtesy of Tony Taggert, Scott Bennett and Mark Harper.