Match report: Hythe & Dibden FC edge closer to Wessex League Premier Division safety after late 1-0 win over Blackfield & Langley FC

Hythe & Dibden secured a vital 1-0 victory over their neighbours Blackfield & Langley, leaving the losers languishing in the Wessex League Premier Division relegation zone.

The loss leaves Blackfield & Langley two points apart from safety, but the mountain they have to climb is all the more ominous with the knowledge that they have played multiple games more than their nearest rivals, while Hythe & Dibden moved nine points clear of danger.

Former Ringwood Town manager Richard Morse, who took control at Hythe & Dibden three months ago, said: “It was a great win for us on Saturday for a couple of reasons really – one, we needed the points, and secondly, it’s always nice to win a derby match.

“It wasn’t the best of games, footballing-wise, but for us, it just was about taking all three points.

“Hopefully, going into the remaining games, this result will give us confidence, and we can start climbing the table.”

The latest Waterside Derby, this time at Gang Warily, kicked with Hythe looking the more dangerous side early on, with the visitors springing the offside trap, but keeper James Harwood denied Marcel Laptas at the near post.

It was not all one-way traffic, with burly striker Joe Roberts flicking on well for Leon Baker to chase. He did well to drive forward and fashion space for a shot, but keeper Luke Deacon did not have to intervene, with the shot flying over the bar.

With 24 minutes played, keeper Harwood pushed a long-range Hythe effort out for a corner, with the defence showing their commitment to the cause, nodding the resulting corner off the goalline.

The second half was a much tighter affair, with fewer chances to report, but just as it looked as if a stalemate was on the cards, the ball fell kindly to Laptas, who wasted no time in sweeping the ball under Harwood to seal all three points for Hythe & Dibden.

On Saturday at 3pm, both sides will play away from home, with Hythe & Dibden taking on Downton and Blackfield & Langley facing Baffins Milton Rovers.

Blackfield & Langley: J. Harwood, J. Rose, H. Edmondson, L. Baker, T. Edmondson, J. Merrett, B. Hill, J. Mann, J. Roberts, A. Palmier, K. Kelly. Subs: D. Nguyen, C. Wilson, D. Ramos, H. Chogugudza, D. Roocroft.

Hythe & Dibden: L. Deacon, S. Boon, S. Danvers, R. Flooks, J. Batt, M. Laptas, B. Sexton-Chadwick, L. Carbayo-Borges, D. Hacon, H. Osman, H. Clarke. Subs: C. Hewson, L. Turner, T. Lycett, L. Thompson, R. Crookes.