On Wednesday night 12 club members sat their theory paper for the umpire’s level one award. Results should be out next week. We need umpires throughout the club and it is a chance for you to earn some cash, so next time come along and be sponsored by the club for this award.
We shall be looking for some junior and senior umpires to help with the under 8s and under 10s MINI tournament on Sunday 19th November between 09:30 and 13:30 at the Sports Centre, let me know if you can help. They are only small so you do not have to worry about them (too much).
The first eleven continued their league season with a trip to Epsom, to whom they lost last year. Southampton were determined to start well and pressured from the beginning, forcing several short corners but the Epsom defence held, scrambling the ball off the line on two occasions. However three minutes into the second half Epsom failed to close down a short corner and Sue Crowley saw her chance and hammered the ball home. An injury to vice captain, Jo Knight, forced Southampton to reorganise and Epsom came back into the game and pressed hard for 15 minutes before Southampton settled back into their rhythm. Hollie Nutt then collected two goals, the first from another well rehearsed short corner and the second when she pounced on a loose ball to hit Southampton’s third. Final score 3 - 0. Met up with former club member, Jenny Edwards who says hello.
On Sunday Southampton Women’s first team travelled to Worthing in the first round of the national cup. Playing on a bumpy pitch caused some initial problems but switching to a short passing game allowed Southampton to move the ball around their opposition. A third goal of the weekend for Hollie Nutt after 15 minutes followed by two from Fiona Jarman, in the second half gave Southampton a comfortable result. Southampton took the opportunity to give juniors, Jenny and Brenda Kimber and Charlotte Gallagher some senior exposure.
The second team was without skipper Karen Jordan when they met Fleet and despite a good team performance they went down by 2- 0. Good personal performances coming from Suzanne Quinton and Liz Walker who stepped up from the thirds.
The third team will take some time to find their feet in Hampshire division 2, following their promotion last season. They went one ahead in their match with Basingstoke when Annie Day forced the ball home but the experience of Basingstoke told as they took control in the second half. Result 1 - 3.
Lyn Price scored the winner for the fourths as they beat Trojans 3s who were promoted last season. Result 1 - 0
Aldershot and Farnham 3s proved too strong for the fifths as they collected four goals. Result 0 - 4
Floodlit league started last week with two wins, I understand. Indoor starts on Tuesday 3rd October. If you are interested in playing either contact the organisers, Annie Day, Emma White and Karen Jordan (indoor).
Next Sunday the junior under 19s start their programme of matches.
Just to remind everybody that subscriptions are now due, please see you captain or manager.
The first team opened their season with a match against last season’s high flyers, Yateley. Southampton went one down early in the first half but Simon Gale collected his first of the campaign to make it 1 - 1 at half time. It was then Southampton’s turn to take the lead when skipper, Ben Fitch scored with a penalty flick. Yateley recovered to equalise for a final score of 2 - 2. Welcome to Steve Perkins, who joins us from the North West (Lytham St Annes). Happy birthday to Steve Glennie, sixteen at last.
An even first half with Yateley saw the seconds lead by 2 - 1 at half time with goals coming from Eric Holt and Pete Graham. However a Chris Stokes hat trick supported by a Rhobet Williams strike saw them win by 6 - 3. Yateley coming back for their third late in the game. Are juniors exempt from jug fines for hat tricks?
A Steve Quinn hat trick was the success story as the thirds overcame Andover 3 - 0. Another expensive performance.
The fourths outplayed Camberley but only managed a 2- 1 scoreline thanks to Matt Southgate
Colin Langridge grabbed himself a goal against Southsea but this was not enough to avoid a 2- 1 defeat.
Both the senior teams met with Winchester opposition. The vets, without skipper Geoff Danby, overcoming the Wanderers 3 - 1 with goals coming from Chris Jones (2) and Pete Terry. The Masters, with several key players rested, took the lead twice through Chris Crane and Richard Harris but Winchester kept coming back to earn a 2 - 2 draw.
The Otters are fielding a younger side this season and it will take some time for the new generation to find their feet against older opposition. A disappointing start to their league season was tempered by the quality of their hockey.
Southampton under 18 boys played a friendly with Gosport and enjoyed a 4 - 4 draw whilst taking the chance to see some new players. Goals coming from Chris Stokes (3) and Steve Glennie (penalty stroke), who celebrates his 16th birthday on Monday.
It is good to see a new junior club, Romsey, entering the development programme and their youngsters played well but could not match the experience of the Southampton under 14 as Tom Legge (3), Alex Richardson (3), David Stokes and Gareth Price scored
Hampshire under 16 boys earned a good 0 - 0 draw with their old adversaries, Surrey in their County Championship match and then went on to beat Middlesex 4 - 1 with goals from Chris Wilson (2), Guy Cockcroft and Tom Martin.