Southampton met with local rivals Havant, who sat one place behind them in the South League, Division One at the start of the game. Who ever won would leap up through the bunched teams in the middle of the table. Southampton started the stronger and created several scoring chances but last minute tackles and one brilliant goal keeping save from a Sue Crowley shot on the turn kept the score level at half time. Southampton had the ball in the net from Hollie Nutt but the umpire erroneously adjudged the ball to have touched a Southampton foot. Havant worked themselves back into the game with some hard work and went ahead, midway through the half when the ball was crossed from a free hit and found its way to an overlapping midfield player, who took her opportunity well. Southampton continued to work to restore the balance and did so seven minutes from time, when Jo Knight forced the ball home at a short corner. Honours were even from this tight derby match but it is Southampton who moved from eighth to sixth with Havant staying two points behind in ninth spot. Some interesting tactics [such as holding shirts] now being used.
The seconds lost skipper, Karen Jordan at the start of this match with Aldershot and Farnham with food poisoning. In this tense match between 3rd & 4th in the league her presence and experience in midfield were missed in the early stages but Southampton still managed to take the lead through an open play goal from Liz Walker. Aldershot then moved ahead with two goals before Cath Gale equalised to share the points. Hope you are better soon KJ.
Territorial advantage was firmly in Southampton's favour as the Third team met with lowly Esso but it took nearly to the end of the first half before Southampton found the net, with Clare Butcher forcing the ball home from close range. Annie Day moved them 2 - 0 up before Esso replied. Final Score 2 - 1.
The fourth team is topping division four of the Hampshire league but could not produce their match winning form in this game with middle of the table, Petersfield. A lack of marking in the first half left deputy keeper, twelve year old, Clare Lewis badly exposed as Petersfield rolled in 3 first half goals. However the Southampton side was transformed in the second but a solitary Lyn Price goal was not enough to force the draw.
A disappointing result for Southampton Fifth team as the went down 1 - 2 to an experienced United Services side. Mary Anne Mulligan scoring for Southampton.
A change from sand to water based pitches, combining with injuries brought the end of Southampton Men's First team's run of good results. Playing on a surface, which produces a faster ball, Southampton found the University's slick passing difficult to contend with. Four goals by half time with only a solitary Kelvin Wyatt goal in reply told the tale. However Southampton's performance improved in the second half but they could not find the elusive net. Final score 1 - 4.
However the second were in better condition after they met with the University's second team. Southampton rushing to a 2 - 0 lead by half time thanks to goals from Steve Matthews and Neil Hutchinson. Matthew Mayes added A third goal, before University gained their consolation effort. Neil Hutchinson added his second and Southampton's fourth with a penalty stroke just before full time.
Thirds 4:1 Aldermaston 2nds - Second Round of Hants Open Cup
Scorers: Sparrow 2, Holt D, Southgate.
Aldermaston are a "mature" and fundamentally social side from Hants Open 2
and when rushing into a three goal lead within 20 minutes seemed to set the
tone. Matt Southgate scored from open play and this was quickly followed by
two short corner goals from Dave Holt and Rob Sparrow. Against the run of
play Aldermaston score five minutes from half time with a spectacular
looping shot which gave Mike Loveless and the mesmerised "postmen" no
opportunity to clear.
Half time discussion centred on the need to play short balls in triangles
but in truth Aldermaston defended well not least their GK whose pads clearly
possessed some form of magnetic quality vis-a-vis the ball.
Rob Sparrow converted a PF after he was fouled and despite being camped in
Aldermaston's half for 80% of the game we couldn't add to the score.
Man of the Match Vote was suitably inconclusive with honours shared between
Matt, Dave and Mark Freeze and with Andy Whiteside surprisingly picking up
two votes despite not playing (probably the right decision nonetheless).
The third round beckons, and let us hope that we can raise our game against
stronger opposition.
The sixth eleven were obviously in festive mood as they lost this last league game before Christmas to Fareham by 6 - 0.
The Masters found their goal scoring touch as they overcame Maidenhead 4 - 2. Southampton sustained much pressure for long periods and relied on quick breaks to create their scoring chances. Bill Stokes, Ronnie Mascareneous, Dave German and Jeremy Day, scoring for Southampton.
The senior Vets have started to rethink their season as they continued their successful run of good results. Having started the season with designs on finishing in a comfortable mid-table position, they now find themselves near the head of the league and playing some of their best hockey. They started this match with Andover by leaking an early goal after five minutes but turned around 3 - 1 up by half time. Although goals fell to Martin Wood [3], Pete Terry [3] and Ralph Turner, it was Geoff Ingram who popped up to grab the 50th goal of the season for the team. Final result 8 - 2.
The Otters were pleased with their cup performance when the overcame Andover, who play one league above them. Debutante striker Danny Morgan opened his club tally. Fine performances from Matt Swzinto and Paul Moxon, in goal, are worthy of mention. Senior player, Rob Gibbs was quoted as saying 'The performance was a good as in other recent matches but today we got the result we deserved'.
On Sunday the under 14 boys were without four county players when they met with Trojans in the under 14 league. Normal outfielder James Please stepped in as replacement goalkeeper and Alex Georgiopolous, David Stokes and Terry Andrews helped out on the pitch. Strength in depth was demonstrated when a early goal from Robert O'Brien was added to by two David Stokes goals before half time. Trojans secured the second half with a late goal. Final score 3 - 1.
The under 19 girls continued their dominance of the under 19 league with a comprehensive performance of passing hockey to outplay an Alton side reduced to 10 players. A final score of 11 - 0 did not reflect the performance of the Alton keeper, who made many outstanding saves. Goal scorers were Sarah Batchelor [3], Anna Skelton [2], Brenda Kimber [2], Charlotte Gallagher [2], Hollie Nutt and Alex Williams. Some interesting positions showed how this talented group of young ladies can change their game to meet the needs of the team.
The second under 19s were also in good form as they met with Haslemere, winning 9 - 0, Goals coming from Beth Davies [3], Sophie Mitchell [2], Kathryn Raw [2], Tracey Standish and Charlotte Leathem.
Soton Uni 0:4 3rds
Scorers: Cox, Wise, Holt, Sparrow (PF).
With a team of walking wounded from the rigours of yesterday's game we
approached this rearranged league game with some caution but unusually with
the benefit of a sub.
Initial sorties into our half by Uni were repelled with relative ease
although it took some time to establish a viable game plan.
The first breakthrough came when Matt Southgate took an early hit-in to Rob
Sparrow whose cross to Pete Cox was struck fiercely and first time into the
Uni goal. Probably one of the most satisfying goals scored this year by the
3s.
The lead was doubled by BJ who converted a "number 2" short corner
untypically working exactly as planned, and so it was 2:0 at half time.
The expected early pressure from Uni duly arrived and it took a killer goal
from Dave Holt again from a short corner to dampen the remnants of Uni's
enthusiasm.
Continued pressure resulted in further penalty corner one of which resulted
in a PF which Rob Sparrow despatched with his usual reliability.
Effectively 3 goals from corners was a welcome uplift in the corner/goal
conversion rate.
In addition top the above BJ marked his 3rd team appearance with some
excellent shots one in particular staying out despite striking the inside of
the post.
Uni looked like they were already on the Christmas break whereas an
intelligent and stable 3s performance resulted in 14 points and a plus 4
goal difference at the half way stage of the league season.
Man of the Match: Rob Sparrow - tormented the Uni defence and mixed his
excellent individual skills with appropriate and timely passing.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OLLIE KNIGHT, JAMES PLEASE AND ROBERT O'BRIEN ON MAKING THE FINAL SQUAD OF THE HAMPSHIRE UNDER 13s.