Verwood Town blasted five second-half goals – with Luke Homer netting a hat-trick – to remain on course for the Wessex One title.

Potters ran out 5-0 winners at Stockbridge on Saturday after a tough half-time team-talk from boss Adie Arnold had worked perfectly.

Following a goalless opening period, Homer struck three times, with Charlie Gajic and Mike Haskell also on target, as the league leaders maintained their eight-point advantage over AFC Portchester, who have two games in hand.

Arnold told the Daily Echo: “We had a poor first half and we had words at half-time. In the second half, we were more patient and played some good football. In the end, we were worthy winners.

“We have been up there all season and are being chased by AFC Portchester, but we keep churning out the points.”

Verwood’s promotion to the Wessex Premier was confirmed last week but they have yet to seal the championship.

Potters: Lynch, Evans, Delaney, Kelly, Anderton, Homer, Gajic, Wrixton (Webb, 75), Dyer, Haskell (Dear, 80), Satterley (Rose, 75).

• Ten-man Ringwood Town stood firm to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Pewsey Vale.

Dan Morrell’s 35-yard free-kick handed the visitors an ideal start after just six minutes.

Hosts Pewsey Vale equalised through Adam Field on 22 minutes and went on to enjoy the majority of possession after the break.

But a rare Ringwood counter-attack led to a Martin Edwards winner 17 minutes from time. Ringwood held on despite Tom Yeats’s sending off.

Ringwood: Page, Tyler, Morrell (Hardy, h-t), Pierson, Roberts, Manning, Yeats, Brown, Terry (Midson, 70), Edwards, W Hole. Unused sub: Mullings.

• Verwood host Amesbury Town this afternoon, while Ringwood entertain Brockenhurst (both 3pm).