New Milton Town rest youngsters before Vase tie as Wessex Division One leaders

The week in Wessex Division One was shaped by New Milton Town, who sit top of the table and spent it managing their resources. On Saturday 3 October they beat Colden Common 2-1 at the GD Print Stadium. Cam Stone put the visitors ahead inside three minutes, Callum Clarke equalised on 11 minutes and Noel McCarthy-Gardiner made it 2-1 by the 19th. The Brickies then saw out a ragged second half, one in which Callum McHale was sin-binned. The club's own report notes that Colden had played Christchurch in the Wessex League Cup only 48 hours earlier.

Then came Tuesday's Southampton Senior Cup tie against Bishops Waltham Dynamos. Manager Jamie Kay made eight changes and named a squad of mainly Under-23s, with Saturday's FA Vase first round tie against Brockenhurst in mind. The Dynamos won 2-0, Sam Adams scoring in the fifth minute and Davi Rodrigues adding a second from 20 yards. Shea Woodsford saved a 49th-minute penalty from Bowi Bosma. The club says 254 came through the gates on Saturday, which it describes as among the highest attendances at Step 6.

The Vase occupies several Wessex clubs this weekend. Romsey Town, who collected both the Division One Club of the Month and Respect Award for September, host Bridgwater United. Ash United face Forest Row, Hamworthy United travel to Highworth Town and AFC Aldermaston welcome Pagham on Sunday.

At Blandford United, Tuesday brought the first floodlit home match in the club's history, against Totton & Eling. Blandford won 3-2, and the club thanked its sponsors, the local Rotary club and volunteers for the effort behind the installation. Totton said their late comeback fell short. They had earlier recorded their first win of the season, 3-2 against Alresford Town, through Barney Gilooly, Matt Hooper and Archie Mullins.

Elsewhere, Ringwood Town won 2-1 at Hedge End Rangers, with Vint and Brown scoring, but lost 5-2 at Bashley in the Wessex League Cup. Lymington Town drew 1-1 with Frimley Green thanks to a late equaliser, and Newport (IOW) drew 2-2 at Whitchurch United. Cove went through 5-4 on penalties against Guildford City in the Aldershot Senior Cup after a 0-0 draw, goalkeeper Sam Allison saving the decisive kick. Sandhurst Town won at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos in the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup, their captain Green heading the winner after Alex Bourne's equaliser.

Newport will hold the official opening of WightFibre Park on Saturday before facing Kintbury Rangers, with club president Bob Foad and Rickie Lambert attending.