Bemerton HH 1 Newport (IoW) 0

Bemerton HH 1 Newport (IoW) 0

Sydenhams Wessex League – Premier Division

Bemerton team: Porter, Renyard, Eves, Roberts, Lucas, Mankin, Rowe, Slade (c), O’Keefe, Sanger, A. Jones (Metcalfe).

Subs (not used): Cox, Fisher, Pratt, Hughes.

Scorer: Slade (pen 10).

Att: 78.

BEMERTON Heath Harlequins ensured they celebrated their 20th anniversary still top of the Wessex Premier Division, with a 1-0 home win over Newport (Isle of Wight) on Saturday.

The only goal was a tenth-minute spot kick converted by Jack Slade, awarded for a strongly disputed handball.

The Harlequins should have put themselves out of sight after that, but they couldn’t convert their chances.

Slade and Joe Sanger missed from close range, and Kane O’Keefe saw his long-range effort go wide.

Another good break by James Rowe ended with him feeding Slade but he also shot past the post. Sanger then set up Adam Jones but he fired well over.

The referee turned down penalty appeals from Newport as they began to show some good touches up front.

The second half was all Bemerton to start with, but their final touch was missing. Newport began to think they had a chance and they forged forward but found goalkeeper Grant Porter in superb form.

The ‘Quins had one last chance when Slade went clear but his shot was pushed behind by goalkeeper Gary Streeter.

*The reserves lost 3-1 at Moneyfields, and have a Combination Cup tie at home to VT FC this Saturday.