WHITCHURCH manager Carl Bennett has praised the fight of Wessex Premier League bottom side Folland Sports after his team recorded a 2-0 win against the Planemakers on Saturday.

The Jam Boys, who were hoping to recover from last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Horndean, dispatched the Hamble-based side thanks to goals from Danny Phillips and Aaron Jarvis.

Phillips put his side ahead on 20 minutes after latching on to a long ball from Ryan Lambert before calmly slotting past the Folland’s goalkeeper.

Whitchurch took their lead into half-time.

After the break the game maintained a similar tempo, with the Jam Boys controlling possession throughout but failing to create chances.

And the visitors were nearly made to pay for failing to further their lead in the 70th minute when Whitchurch stopper Brad Snelling was forced into a brilliant save to deny Folland an equaliser.

Whitchurch remained composed and it looked as if the game would peter out at 1-0 until Phillips earned his side a penalty in the dying minutes.

The skilful striker beat four players with a mazy run before being fouled in the box.

Jarvis stepped up to the penalty and fired home to secure a 2-0 win and all three points for Whitchurch.

After the match, Bennett said: “We said to the lads before the game that every game for Follands is going to be a cup final now and they need to be at their best.

“To Folland’s credit they fought well and looked to give us a game on Saturday but I thought we dominated possession without really creating many chances.

“They only had one big chance in the second half which Brad did brilliantly to save – I told him after the match that he won that game for us with that save.”

The result means Whitchurch have now won seven of their last 10 games in all competitions, only losing to high-flying Horndean in that time.

But Bennett believes his side will face a tough test when they play Team Solent this weekend.

He said: “It’s a massive game against Team Solent.

“It will be a test for us because they are on top form but I think it’s a good time to play them because they’ve played four games in seven days.

“They’ve got a fantastic group of players who are young and strong.

“They are a really good side but I’ve always said that we can beat anyone in this league on our day and if we play to our ability we can win.”

The game is due to take place at Longmeadow on Saturday, with a 3pm kick-off.