DOWNTON were full of festive cheer after only their second league win of the season - a resounding 3-0 victory at Bournemouth Poppies.
Brian White's corner was headed in by Ben Smith for the opener on ten minutes. The second came from the spot ten minutes later when Kev Pelling was upended and Matt Guy, returning after six weeks out, slammed home the penalty.
Nick Lumber and Mark Gulliver made a goal for Neal Archer and the game was over as a contest by half-time.
The Robins face a stern test at Gosport Borough on Saturday. Unfortun-ately for them, the bottom five in the Syden-hams Wessex League all picked up maximum points on Saturday, with Whitchurch gaining a shock 3-2 win at neighbours Bemerton Heath Harlequins.
The 'Quins went ahead through Andy Chainey after 15 minutes, but Matt Bennett soon levelled. Chris Iddles capitalised on James Domm's poor punch out to put the visitors in front.
Substitute Matty Smith equalised in a scrappy second half, but Iddles scored the decisive goal for Whitchurch on 84 minutes.
In the Premier Division of the Hampshire League, Amesbury Town moved up to fifth by crushing Aldermaston 4-0 at the Recreation Ground.
Goals from Steve Reeves and Lee Cunning-ham made it 2-0 at the interval.
Second half strikes from Cunningham and Phil Nicholls ensured that the Blues recorded their eighth victory in nine league games ahead of Saturday's trip to league leaders VTFC.
Ringwood Town's local derby clash at Poole Town has been re-arranged for Wednesday, January 7 (7.30pm) after Saturday's postponement. Before that, they host Locks Heath on Saturday.
Dave Coleman AFC recorded a 2-0 win at struggling M&T Aw-bridge in Division Two while Laverstock & Ford Reserves hammered Fareham Reserves 5-0 in their Combination Divi-sion One match.
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