The first continued their good start to the season with fine 1- 0 home win over Hamstead and Westminster Ladies. The visitors started well but Southampton found their form and forced a series of short corners during the first half but could not convert any into a goal. At the other end Southampton had the fine form of keeper Linda Dunham and the post to thank for a clean sheet in the first half. However fourteen minutes into the second half Hollie Nutt struck with a reverse stick sweep to notch her fourth in three league games. Captain Nicky Tarry marshalled her midfield (Jo Knight, Sue Crowley and Sarah Batchelor) defence (Fiona Jarman, Mags Ingram and Sarah Jones) well for the last period of the game to deny H&W a clean scoring opportunity.
The seconds entertained Basingstoke first, who have won this league for the last three seasons. Despite tremendous pressure being exerted by Basingstoke in the first half there was only one goal in it at half time. Midway through the second half, Southampton’s Nicky Le Bas scored the equaliser to send the visitors home disappointed.
The thirds introduced new players Nicky Thomas and Naomi Dunn into their squad for this league match with Andover and saw enough to warrant their selection. Nicky Thomas scoring one and having a penalty stroke well saved whilst Naomi showed good skills and speed to disturb the opposition’s defence. Skipper, Jill Stokes was pleased with the team performance and first points in the higher league.
The fourths were finding their match with Gregarians second team a frustrating experience as their forward line pinned the visitors in their half for long periods of the first half. An excellent performance by the Gregarians GK stifled several good scoring opportunities. However, Sarah Deighton, playing her first game for the club grabbed two in the second half to record a good 2 - 0 victory.
The fifths travelled to Portsmouth for a friendly with IBM Nomads and enjoyed a 5 - 0 win with Fiona Dalrymple (2), Karina Christiansen, Amy White and Anna Greaves scoring.
The first secured another draw in their second league game of the season thanks to a Kelvin Wyatt strike.
Chris Stokes (16 years old) reached a landmark for Southampton HC when he notched his 100th goal as he helped the second team to a 6 - 0 win over Portsmouth & Southsea. Pete Graham opened the scoring inside the first minute when he converted a short corner. Portsmouth stayed in the game and could have grabbed several goals but fine keeping by Paul Howarth kept the sheet clean. Pete Graham added a second after 10 minutes when he rounded two players to beat the keeper. Stokes then added one before half time. Another for Stokes and one each for John Freckleton and Matt Mayes sealed the game.
The thirds had a hard fought battle with Fareham thirds and were happy with a 0 - 0 draw.
Ed Thorn signalled his return to form as he opened the scoring for the fourths against an experienced Basingstoke Brewers side. Matthew Southgate and Mike Woods added further goals.
The sixth eleven, created this season, enjoyed an 8 - 0 win over Guildford 6s. Goals coming from Ollie Knight, Greg Jones, Mike Cotton, Andy Morgan and Richard Murphy.
Fifth eleven game cancelled owing to flooded pitch.
Vets game off owing to lack of players at vets level, this week only.
An array of fine skills was on display as the Masters met with Trojans in the Wessex league. Many of the players having battled together for many a season. With both sides creating scoring chances it was down to solid defences and good goal keeping to keep clean sheets and this they did to record a 0 - 0 draw.
On Sunday it was the juniors turn. The under 19 girls first and second teams opened their campaign to retain the championships they both won last year.
The firsts met with a Yateley team decimated with school commitments and took the opportunity to show coaches Sue Crowley and Eric Holt the quality of their play. A final score of 11 - 0 saw goals coming from Sarah Batchelor, Jenny Kimber, Hollie Nutt, Anna Skelton and Mary-Anne Mulligan.
The second too were in good form as they met with Fareham and won by 7 - 1. Goals coming from Beth Davies, Sophie Mitchell, Kathryn Raw and Kerry Brown.
In a friendly coached match the under 12 boys enjoyed a match with Gosport. Goals from David Stokes and Alex Richardson helped them to a 3 - 1 win.
In an under 16 match with Trojans both sides could have taken the lead but it was down to Trojan’s Peter Brooks to end the stalemate as he drilled home a loose ball to go one up before a second was added five minutes from time.