THE race to finish runners-up to Salisbury in the Sydenhams Premier Division is hotting up.

Both Sholing and Andover Town are poised a point behind second-placed Blackfield & Langley after wins tonight.

Fourth-placed Andover, who have just one game remaining, beat Team Solent 2-0 with a first-half Charlie Gunston brace. The Portway promotion hopefuls finish their season at home to Fareham Town on Saturday.

Sholing, third on goal difference from Andover, had Owen Roundell’s sharp reactions to thank for their 1-0 victory at Newport IoW.

With an hour gone, Alex Sawyer’s left-wing free kick was headed against the bar by Pete Castle and young Roundell was in like a flash to net the loose ball.

It sets up an intriguing evening at the Silverlake Stadium on Thursday (7.45pm) when Blackfield are the visitors.

Sholing finish their campaign at Fawley AFC on Saturday, while Glenn Howes’ Watersiders have two further games at Whitchurch United (Saturday) and at Fareham Town on May 5.

AFC Portchester missed an early penalty but came good to beat Bournemouth Poppies 2-0 through Curt Robbins and Jason Parish.

The Royals are five points clear of Horndean and Team Solent in fifth, but could still be caught - most likely by the Deans who have an incredible six games still to play.

Tonight Horndean came back from two goals down at half-time to crush Hamworthy United 6-2 through Sam Smart (2), Rob Tambling (2), Lee Tigwell (pen) and Jack Maloney. Both teams finished with ten men.

Moneyfields have almost cleared their fixture backlog having crammed three games into four days over a long weekend.

Remarkably, they won all three – two of them at the expense of Fawley AFC. Having beaten the Oilers 2-1 away on Saturday, Moneys emerged 4-1 victors at Dover Road on Monday with goals from Nathan Paxton (3) and Ryan Pennary.

That same night Nick Magee edged the New Forest derby Lymington Town’s way, beating Brockenhurst 1-0.

Brock return to action tomorrow (Wednesday) at home to Moneyfields.

Wessex champions Salisbury can complete a league/cup double tomorrow (Wednesday) if they beat Melksham Town in the final of the Wiltshire Senior Cup at Chippenham Town FC.