AFC Stoneham host Bemerton Heath Harlequins in a huge game at the top of the Wessex League table on Tuesday 31st January.

AFC Stoneham:

Stoneham come into this game off the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw away to Portland United on Saturday, their first draw in the Wessex Premier League this season.

They took a 2-0 half time lead thanks to a brace from Liam Callaghan, but Portland showed spirt under their new management to comeback in the second half and steal a share of the points.

The Purpsare three points above Tuesday’s opponents but have played two games more, making this an important game as a loss here would see Stoneham drop out of the top two for the first time since the start of January.

This will be Stoneham’s first of four home games on the bounce with the Purps still unbeaten at Stoneham Lane in the league this season, a run they will hope to continue Tuesday as they take on a close league rival.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins:

The Harlequins enter this game after an eight-goal thriller that saw them beat U.S Portsmouth 5-3 away from home.

Braces from Stuart Green and Greg Peel, as well as one from Ronan Clancy, meant that Bemerton took home all three points and moved above Horndean into third after they lostto Fareham.

They are currently unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, whilst maintaining a run of 11 games without a loss in the league, with their only one coming against league leaders AFC Portchester.

Harlequins have recently lost their top scorer Reece Rusher, who has moved to Frome Town, meaning that Daniel Young now leads their scoring tally on 12 goals this season and they will hope he adds to this on Tuesday.

The two sides have only previously met twice in recent years, with both teams winning one, suggesting it will be a tight and competitive contest to watch.

Last Meetings:

17/09/22 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 5-1 AFC Stoneham (PREM)

03/12/19 AFC Stoneham 2-2 Bemerton Heath Harlequins (SWLC)

(Stoneham 4-3 on Pens)

By Freddie Dorman