HAMWORTHY United made sure to leave the Wessex League on a strong with victory over Fareham.

Set-piece goals from Lee Francis and Steve Devlin were enough to overcome the Creeksiders 2-1 at the Sunseeker International County Ground.

Hammers were forced into a late reshuffle after Crit Clarke pulled up in the warm-up. Central-defender Billy Walker was unavailable due to illness, but stalwart defender Connor Cocklin was deemed fit enough to return to the bench after a long injury lay-off.

It took just 13 minutes for the Hammers to begin the promotion party, with captain Francis turning the ball home following a goalmouth scramble from a Devlin corner.

However, it was not all plain sailing, as after 21 minutes Max Buckler was shown red for holding back Josh Benfield as the last defender.

Charlie Cooper stepped up to take the resultant penalty, but Shane Murphy was not to beaten, saving the initial spotkick before quickly blocking the second effort.

Down to 10, United had to change their formation, with Devlin and Jack Lovell sitting deeper.

Despite the missed opportunity, Fareham were buoyed by the man advantage. However, they were unable to make their superiority in numbers count.

The away side resumed their pressure in the second-half, with centre-half Archie Willcox just off target with a couple of headers from crosses.

However, it was the hosts who grabbed the games second goal, via another penalty.

Tony Rolls' clever through ball put Cam Munn on a run towards goal, only to be upended by Kieran Clarke for a clear penalty.

Unlike Cooper in the first-half, Devlin made no mistake as he struck his spot-kick home.

Fareham quickly responded, pulling a goal back three minutes later.

Tom Seetle cut the ball back to substitute Siphesihle Mdladlose, whose crisp strike from 15 yards found the net just inside the near left post.

The remaining 15 minutes of the game continued with Fareham huffing and puffing for an equaliser, but Hamworthy were able to see the win out and finish their title-winning campaign with 99 points.

Hamworthy United: Murphy, Rolls, Wright, Devlin, Buckler, Costello, Lovell, Francis, Wilcock (Cocklin, 80), Neale (Beasley, 55), Munn (Hodge, 70)

Unused Sub: Eccott-Young