WHITCHURCH United closed the gap on Wessex League Division One leaders Cowes Sports to just four points after recording a comfortable 3-0 win over rock bottom Hythe and Dibden.

Jim Macey’s in-form side have won their last four league games without conceding and have lost just once in the league in 2013.

With leaders Cowes Sports’ game with Tadley postponed, Whitchurch had the opportunity to keep their title hopes alive – and they took the lead after 12 minutes, when Nick Jupp slotted home from just inside the area.

Adam Pearson added a second, before Paul Coventry’s volley five minutes before half-time gave United a 3-0 advantage going into the break.

Despite dominating the second-half, they were unable to add to their tally, wasting a host of chances against a Hythe & Dibden side who have shipped 66 goals this season.

Macey admitted his side looked jaded after their extra-time North Hants Senior Cup victory over Fleet Town four days earlier.

He said: “We looked very tired out there, which I guess can be expected after the Fleet game. The boys looked heavy legged and flat at times but we still managed to get another three points and a clean sheet, so I’ve got to be happy with that.”

Whitchurch face a trip to fellow high-flyers Tadley Calleva tomorrow night and Macey is expecting a tough game.

He said: “We expect a real battle down there. It finished 1-1 at our place and Danny Dolan has got them playing really well at the moment.

“We are looking forward to it but we will have to perform a lot better than we did on Saturday if we are to get a result.”

Meanwhile, Tadley Calleva manager Dolan is relishing Friday night’s massive derby and insists his side have nothing to fear.

They currently sit in sixth place, nine points behind Macey’s promotion-chasing Whitchurch – and Dolan is eager to pit his wits against them.

He said: “I cannot wait for the Whitchurch game. They are flying and I have a lot of admiration for Jim and the job he has done but we don’t fear a single team in this division and I firmly believe we can win.

“Both sides have been scoring a lot of goals and aren’t conceding many so it should be a fantastic derby.”

Whitchurch are in league action again next Tuesday night when they host Fleet Spurs, while Tadley travel to Thatcham Town in the Basingstoke Senior Cup.