Six-goal Fareham survival boost

Sam Ratliffe (right) scored twice in Fareham's 6-1 win over Basingstoke.

​Fareham seconds gave their prospects of inching out of the Hampshire/Surrey Regional Division drop zone a significant boost with an impressive 6-1 win over fourth-placed Basingstoke at Henry Cort.
The victory edged Fareham out of the bottom two places (above relegated Sunbury & Walton Heath and Teddington II) with two scheduled games left. 
Fareham showed their intent from the start with crisp passing and high intensity, opening their account in the 15th minute with a counter-attack which cut through the Basingstoke defence and was finished off by Luke Gould.
Ten minutes later Zak Way added the second to give Fareham a 2-0 half-time cushion.
Basingstoke, who were pushing for promotion with wins in nine of their 11 pre-Christmas matches, were still creating chances but were kept at bay by some fine saves from Fareham goalkeeper Josh Dawson in goal.
After the break Fareham upped their game still further and added a third through Scotsman Christian McKenna finishing from close range.
The Fareham midfield continued to dominate with a mature, controlled performance put in by veteran Ed Faherty.
Shortly afterwards some fine interplay down the Fareham right led to the fourth being coolly converted by teenager Sam Ratliffe, who was soon on target against with a clinical conversion.
Basingstoke, already headed to a fourth successive defeat, pulled a goal back from a penalty stroke, but Fareham finished the game in style with McKenna adding the sixth.