Football

LAVERSTOCK & Ford kept their title bid on track with a gritty win against a determined young Aw-bridge side.

In blistering sunshine and on a hardening, bobbly surface, 'Stock adapted to the conditions well and took the game to their hosts from the start.

Manager Andy Wykes was again forced to shuffle the pack because of the absence of Toby Giles (work commitments) and Martin Eyres (injured). Shaun Hartley was brought into the attack while Elliott Wykes took over the left midfield slot.

The best of their early chances fell to Graham Mankin who made an excellent run into the box but could not quite connect with Dom Male's pass and turned the ball wide of the post.

But on 20 minutes the title hopefuls finally broke the deadlock through Nick Newman.

An Elliot Wykes effort was ruled out for offside and the player also had a well driven shot saved by the Awbridge 'keeper.

The second half again saw Laverstock in the ascendancy. Shaun Hartley picked out Male but his powerful header went just inches over the bar.

'Stock's all-important second goal arrived after they worked a clever corner. Wykes put in a low cross to Male at the near post whose turn and flick let in Newman who volleyed home from close range.

Simon Ford almost made it three, but was denied by another fine save by the home 'keeper.

Laverstock now need two victories from their final two games to be assured of promotion.

They head the table from Overton by three points and have a superior goal difference although their rivals have a game in hand. On Saturday Laverstock entertain Queens Keep (3pm) then head to Ludgershall Sports seven days later.