Christchurch back Brad Gale after Laverstock comeback and Bashley defeat

Christchurch spent the week defending their manager. On Thursday 15 October the club's chairman issued a statement saying Brad Gale 'has the full backing of Christchurch Football Club', following a committee meeting at which, he said, the club was 'united in our support'. He acknowledged that results had not gone their way and that 'things need to improve on the pitch', but argued that building something takes 'time, hard work and a bit of patience'.

The backdrop was a bruising few days. At the Dell on Saturday 10 October, Laverstock & Ford came from 0-3 down to win 5-3, Devon Rich scoring twice according to the home club's account. Three days later Bashley beat Christchurch 4-1 in the Premier Division, Joe Freak scoring twice and adding an assist against his former club, Bashley said. There was some relief in a cup tie, as Christchurch announced they had progressed to the next round, though the tweet did not name the competition. Beau Jenkins, who left Bashley this week, rejoined Christchurch on dual registration with Wimborne Town.

Horndean, by contrast, beat Downton 2-1 at Five Heads Park on Saturday despite playing most of the second half with ten men after Charlie Luff's first-half red card. Henry Searle scored a free kick two minutes after the break and the winner four minutes from time, after James Clark's cross had let Preston Matthews equalise. The club say the run is now six unbeaten and that they sit outside the play-offs only on goal difference. Assistant manager Mark Summerhill has meanwhile left for Havant & Waterlooville.

At Downton, Ronan Moore's late free kick beat Laverstock & Ford on Tuesday, and the club signed centre half Jamie Smith from Shaftesbury. Fareham Town drew 1-1 at Hamble Club on Tuesday. Fleetlands and Millbrook drew 2-2, Craig Kingswell and Joe Briggs scoring for the hosts. Bemerton Heath Harlequins drew 1-1.

In the FA Vase, Cowes Sports won 4-2 on penalties to reach the second proper round and drew Buckland Athletic at home on Saturday 31 October. Andover New Street beat Sherborne Town 2-0 and will host Mangotsfield United that day. Fleetlands lost 4-3 on penalties at Mangotsfield, and Hamworthy Recreation lost 0-2 to Buckland Athletic. Baffins Milton Rovers went out of a cup on penalties, losing 5-4 after a second-half fightback.