The first team dominated the first half over a Dulwich side, above them in
the league.
Southampton's penetrative style created several scoring chances, as well as
short corners but Dulwich's defence held fast. However Southampton should
have moved ahead when a penalty was awarded for an illegal stop on the goal
line. Fiona Jarman's low stroke to the corner was deflected aside by the
diving keeper.
Dulwich came back into the game at the start of the second half with their
strikers switching positions to make it difficult for the Southampton
defence. When a Dulwich player was eventually 'sin binned' for consistent
stick tackling Southampton again took control and forced several late corners
but could not find the net.
Result 0 - 0. Some excellent hockey played.
The seconds took a 1 - 0 lead against New Milton through Nicky Le Bas but this was cancelled out when the Southampton keeper was adjudged to have played the player before the ball. The resultant stroke was converted. Southampton moved back into the lead when Le Bas collected the ball and made a 50 yard run before slipping the ball inside to Suzanne Quinton to hit a first time shot passed the keeper. Late pressure from New Milton resulted in a short corner, from which they scored to make a final score of 2 - 2.
The thirds dominated their match with Romsey but failed to capitalise on the territorial advantage. Romsey winning with a goal midway into the second half. Some questionable umpiring, which favoured the opposition.
Fourth team - no game.
The Fifth team's opposition, Gosport, were forced to field an inexperienced side so that they could meet their national cup commitments at under 15 level. Early pressure from Southampton was rewarded with six goals coming before half time. Gosport's team however kept plugging away but could not stem the tide as Southampton rattled in five more goals after half time to make a final score of 11 - 0. Scorers for Southampton were Amy Watson [5], Anna Skelton [3], Helen Carter [in her debut senior match], Mary Aitken [a birthday celebration] and skipper Sian Glaze.
The first team started the match with their normal style of short crisp passing and deservedly took the lead when Rhobet Williams was left to reverse stick the ball home after 15 minutes. With Blandford playing the long ball game they did not look to be in the game. However Southampton slipped into the habit of trying to lengthen their game, which allowed Blandford to counter attack. This brought their first goal when a defence clearance was intercepted and resultant shot went into the net. Blandford move into the lead early in the second half. Southampton restored the game with a second Williams' goal and could have won had a short corner goal on full time been disallowed. Final score 2 - 2.
The seconds were forced to start the game against Fleet without a proper warm up as two cars arrived late. Fleet went into the lead after three minutes and could have gone two up when a penalty was awarded but was missed. However Southampton settled into their stride and soon returned to even terms and then went into a 2 - 1 lead at half time with goals from Matt Mayes and Chris Stokes. After the interval Stokes added two more for his hat trick and Eric Holt and Pete Graham one a piece to make a final scoreline of 6 - 1. Keeper Paul Howarth pulled off a save from a second penalty stroke late in the game.
Havant, top of the league with a 100% record, were clearly going to be a
tough test for the Southampton 3s and sure enough they created much pressure
in the first 10 minutes resulting in a PF, which was duly converted. They
clearly saw this as the start of a procession of goals having beaten Soton
Uni 12:0 the previous week. In fact it was a wake up call and the 3s who
equalised on 20 minutes when Rob Sparrow pounced on a pass into their "D"
from Steve Quinn (?). A period of sustained Soton pressure saw the ball
cross Havant's line twice more although one was a "header" and therefore
disallowed. Dave Holt despatched a fine short corner goal and so it was 2:1
to Soton at half time.
Early in the second half failer to clear an innocuous cross allowed a fairly
simple equaliser for Havant.
Not disheartened Soton forced a PF which, whilst converted, was disallowed
due to alleged incorrect feet placement. A very tough decision which most
umpires would probably have ignored or not spotted. C'est la vie.
This was probably the turning point of the game as Havant caught us on the
break to take the lead and later again when Soton were chasing the game they
forced a penalty corner and scored again.
4 - 2 probably flattered Havant but they were gentlemen enough to admit that
we had been their toughest test to date and we plan for revenge when playing
at home.
THANKS JON FOR THIS REPORT.
The fourths kept themselves in contention with a 4 - 1 victory over Winchester. Sam Gibbs handed in his defender's stick for the day to take up a striker's role and score two goals early in the game [and he only played a half]. Colin Langridge added the third and then skipper, Mike Gillingham the fourth before Winchester added a late consolation effort.
The Fifths - no game.
The sixth eleven went down 2 - 4 to Hamble with Stuart Veal and Adam Knight scoring for Southampton.
The Masters went down 2 - 1 with a late penalty stroke being awarded against them in their match with Guildford. Bill Stokes claiming the Southampton goal. The Masters' squad is currently depleted by injury and availability and would be interested in taking on a few more squad members.
The senior vets were in triumphant mood as they took a 4 - 1 lead to a younger Havant veteran's side. However Southampton pushed forward a little too much as goal fever struck and Havant grabbed two chances to be back into the game at half time. However two quick goals from Martin Woods restored the balance before Havant came back to make it 6 - 4. A final salvo from Eddie Fisher finished the game at 7 - 4. Other scorers for Southampton were Woods [total of 3], Pete Terry [2] and Andy Church. Goal of the match coming from Pete Terry, whose first time strike sent the ball soaring into the roof of the net. Excellent spirit in the bar even though only half of the Havant side could come back to tea. Nice to see the Vets sitting down and chatting to their opposition.
The Otters were disappointed to lose 1 - 0 to Basingstoke Brewers after exhibiting their excellent team work and personal skills.
On Sunday the under 19 girls second team met with a strong Wimborne team, who include two of their ladies first team players. With several players on county duty the Southampton youngsters spent most of the first half getting used to each other and resolutely defending against a well-drilled Wimborne side. Four goals in the first half was just desert for some good hockey. However Southampton's second half performance was a transformation as they beat off the Wimborne attack and forced several short corners. Wimborne scored one goal in the second half with Southampton's Amy White missing by inches at the other end. Excellent performances by the Southampton defence [Page, Grange, Please, King and Abraham] and midfield [Brown, Mitchell and Royle] kept Wimborne under control for long periods.
Following a string of defeats, and with an under strength side, the Under 16 boys recorded a notable victory against Trojans winning 3-2 in a well-matched game. Southampton opened the scoring early in the first half with a thrusting move down the right. Mike Cotton's cross was skillfully controlled and converted on the reverse by Adam Knight. Trojans equalised to make it 1-1 at half time. Rob Williams came on at half time and provided a new dimension in midfield. His presence raised Southampton's game and his first goal swung the game towards Southampton. Trojans equalised to make the score 2 - 2 before Williams added his second to make the final score 3 - 2. Southampton contnued creating a host of chances late in the game but the Trojans keeper pulled off some spectacular saves.
Congratulation to David Stokes, Ollie Knight, James Please and Robert O'Brien who have progressed to the next round of the selection process for under 13 county selection.