And Birmingham says Howes’ determination to carry on and deliver on the performance he has put in for his team has shown exactly why he is the Deans’ skipper.
Zak Willett scored a hat-trick to make him the Wessex Premier’s leading marksman with 31 goals in as many games since joining Horndean from Hampshire Premier League side Paulsgrove in the summer.
But it was captain Howes – who completed the full 90 minutes despite being ill in the dressing room at half-time – who stood out at Stoneham for Horndean boss Birmingham.
“It’s not just about the Zak Willetts and the Connor Duffins, you have the other people behind them,” Birmingham said.
“You have my captain (Ash Howes) who, to be honest, had a sickness and diarrhea virus running rampant, but he still played 90 minutes and was outstanding.
“I have my captain coming out of his sickbed and realizing the performance he had. Some people tell me, ‘why is he your club captain blah, blah, blah’, he’s my captain because he’s doing what he did (at Stoneham).
“When you’re looking for your boss, your captain and someone who at half time was sick in the locker room and couldn’t get out of the toilet, when he goes and performs like he did – that’s why he is my captain.’
Willett was on hand to send the Deans ahead on 10 minutes with a fine, drilled finish. Horndean survived a scare when Cade Dyer’s free kick hit the crossbar nine minutes after the restart, but Stoneham equalized two minutes later when Matthew Bainbridge passed goalkeeper Cameron Scott.
Birmingham table players, winless in their two previous outings before Stoneham’s trip, restored their advantage in the 63rd minute as Willett scored the number 30 goal of the season.
Willett then came home brilliantly four minutes later to complete his hat-trick as the Deans remained top on goal difference with Hamworthy, despite having two games in hand.
A message from the editor, Mark Waldron
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