VETERAN Taffy Richardson rolled back the years to help Verwood Town to a crucial Sydenhams Premier basement victory over Fareham.

The 48-year-old non-League legend played the full 90 minutes as Liam Donachy’s second-half header edged the hosts through 1-0 at Potterne Park.

Richardson had previously featured as a substitute against Hamworthy on December 27 having come out of retirement to sign for the Potters.

However, he sustained calf muscle damage and had to wait over a month for his first start in central midfield.

Verwood boss Carl Poore, a former teammate of Richardson’s at Poole Town, said: “Taffy was superb. He did really well considering he hadn’t played competitively for some time.

“He definitely rolled back the years!

“Even having been round the block, his determination to win rubs off on the kids in our team. He was a huge presence for us.”

Donachy nodded home a Tom Whelan corner with 17 minutes remaining, making it six wins in nine league games for the Potters.

Despite a flu virus sweeping through the camp and Ian Humble getting married, second-to-bottom Fareham had their share of chances.

The Creeksiders’ unluckiest moment came 20 minutes in when Jack James’ speculative, dipping effort caught ’keeper Chris Lynch in no man’s land, but crashed against the post and away.

Lynch saved well from Louie Martin, Olly Searle and Ash Tattersall, while both Mark Cotton and Bradey Norton had efforts cleared off the Verwood line.

Fareham remain two points adrift of safety, but have two games in hand over third-to-bottom Christchurch.

“There is still all to play for and we are improving all the time,” said manager Matt Parr, whose side tonight host Havant & Waterlooville in the semi-finals of the Portsmouth Senior Cup.