SATURDAY at Downton was a day when the football was secondary and the result, if not irrelevant was not over important.

It was a day Downton would never have wished would happen as the club came to terms with the sudden passing earlier in the week of Ian Drinkwater, a club stalwart for many, many seasons and a person hugely popular with all. The Club had postponed their midweek match in respect to Ian with Saturday's game against Whitchurch being dedicated to “Drinky”.

Pre-match saw a minute’s applause strongly “observed” by an attendance in excess of 160 and the home players wearing t-shirts bearing the word “Drinky” and a number 9 on the back, which was a nice touch.

Downton opened the scoring in the game after 35 minutes. A partial clearance was headed powerfully back by Craig Tyson and Paul Gulliver held his composure to slot home.

The lead lasted little more than 60 seconds. A Whitchurch corner from the left was headed back at the far post and though Lewis Gunstone-Grey blocked the first close range effort Liam Stone forced the rebound home.

With the 45 minutes almost up two Whitchurch corners were followed up by a long cross from the left which was turned past his own goalkeeper by Sam Howe.

However, Downton still had time before the break to level things as Shaun Prentice scored.

Five minutes after the re-start the Robins took the lead from Matt Steer and then added a fourth from Craig Tyson to complete a 4-2 victory.

After the game manager Ben Smith said: "Its been a very tough week for us all at Downton and to be fully focused on the game was always going to be a hard one.

"The lads showed complete respect and discipline on and off the field for a great man, who has sadly been taken away from us.

"Im so proud of the team and everyone involved in what was a great performance to mark and to celebrate the life of Drinky. I would like to thank everyone on behalf of Downton FC who came along to show there respect and give support to Drinky’s family and friends."

Tonight, Downton are in action again when they entertain Laverstock in the Salisbury Hospital Cup.