SHANE Sheridan celebrated his permanent appointment as New Milton Town manager by presiding over their biggest win in Wessex One for 18 months.

Adam Louka’s double helped Linnets on their way to a 6-1 victory over struggling Pewsey Vale at Fawcett’s Field on Saturday.

Craig Barnett, Dom Falco, Ethan Maddocks and Lyam Teixceira were also on target as Town came from behind following Eden Bunce’s opener for the visitors.

It was also a special day for 17-year-old Maddocks who was handed the captain’s armband for the first time by boss Sheridan.

Goals from Lee Vint, Matt Steer, Pete Richmond-Cole and Ben Harris saw Ringwood Town keep alive their chances of a top-four finish following a 4-0 win at Fleet Spurs.

A sixth victory in their past seven matches left Ringwood level on 72 points with fifth-placed Laverstock & Ford and three behind fourth-placed Christchurch.

Poppies banished any lingering fears of relegation from Wessex Premier after registering a 3-2 win over doomed Verwood Town at Victoria Park.

Goals from Kev Foreman, Lewis Harvey and Manny Ohameje paved the way for Poppies to move six points clear of the drop zone with only one game remaining.

Although a late double from Ryan Kelly gave the scoreline some respectability, the Potters were condemned to a 13th defeat in their past 15 games and will finish cast adrift at the foot.

Jesse Gould’s brace earned Bashley a 2-1 win over Blackfield & Langley as the New Forest outfit recorded a memorable double over the high-fliers in front of a crowd of 233 at Bashley Road.

Bashley, 4-0 victors at Gang Warily in November, were on the back foot after Jamie White had given the visitors an early lead.

However, Bash restored parity eight minutes later when Blackfield old boy Gould netted from 12 yards before he hit the winner from a sumptuous free-kick 10 minutes from time.

Tim Stephenson was on target for Lymington Town in their 1-1 draw at AFC Portchester, while Hamworthy United went down 4-0 at Fareham Town and Brockenhurst suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sholing at Grigg Lane.