With the league finished for the Christmas break it was time to relax and bring out the spirit of the season. Southampton first team met with Chichester in a friendly match. It was away with the stick and out with the whistle as midfield player, Jo Knight took control of the game as umpire. It was a welcome back for skipper, Nicky Tarry, returning from injury and a return to first team duty for Emma White after the birth of baby Joshua. Southampton started the game well, playing some good intricate hockey but the Chichester keeper was in fine form and made several good goal line clearances to deny the Southampton strike force. Chichester took the game in the first minute of the second half when a left wing attack and cross was struck passed the unsighted goal keeper, Charlotte Page. Southampton continued to make opportunities but never found the final touch. During a final flurry Charlotte Page brought off two excellent saves to keep the score at 1 - 0.
Sue Crowley wishes to announce her retirement at GK.
Birthday wishes to Hollie Nutt, who has made 16 at last and to Fiona Jarman, who gets to 40 on Friday. Next week KJ gets there too. Well done the latter two for continuing to play hockey with such enthusiasm and ability.
The second and third teams joined forces to meet high flying Eastleigh in a friendly an enjoyed the better of the encounter by winning 4 - 0, goals coming from Nicky Le Bas [2], Jenny Kimber and Nicky Thomas.
Congratulations to Jenny Kimber who has been accepted into Oxford's Jesus college subject to achieving her 'A' level grades.
The fourths also had a successful weekend as they overcame an experienced Bournemouth side. Southampton move two goals ahead with shots from Sarah Deighton and Anna Skelton before Bournemouth grabbed one back. Mary Aitken gained the final goal during the second half. Final score 3 - 1. Mary Anne Mulligan actually score but as I gave her credit for Mary's goal last week, I thought I would reverse the credit this weekend.
First team - no game
The seconds were still on league duty and met with bottom of the table, United Services and with their sole intention being to gain promotion this season, they were in no mood to be generous. They opened the account after 12 minutes when a short corner was converted by Eric Holt and that opened the flood gates with Holt and Neil Hutchinson gaining hat tricks, Chris Stokes a brace for Christmas and John Freckleton, the odd one to make it a final score of 9 - 0.
Third team - no game
A solitary strike from Bill Stokes was all the presents being handed out by Woking in their friendly with Southampton Masters. Final score 1 - 3. It would have been 2 - 1 but a defender was about to clear the ball when a whistle went and he stopped, unfortunately it was not their whistle and an opponent rushed in to force the ball home.
Last week we reported that the vets played Andover, in fact it was Barnes. The Vets played Andover this week and had another good win with Pete Terry [3], Martin Woods and Chris Jones getting on the scoresheet. They were obviously getting in the party spirit, ready for their team dinner in the evening.
A humdinger of a game between the fourths and City of Portsmouth ended 6 - 4 in Southampton's favour. With sharing being on the menu the Southampton tally was spread out amongst five players, Mike Woods leading with two and others coming from Ed Thorn, Dominic Gordon, Andy Whiteside and Ed Matthews. Andy Whiteside is quoted as saying that he now realises that fitness and application are essential to gain success at senior level. He has now made it to Cardiff University First team. Well done Andy.
The Otters went down to Winchester 2 - 0.
It was third time lucky for the sixth team as they managed to overcome a Fareham side on their third meeting. Keeper Paul Newman had a good game blotting out the Fareham attack. Despite getting close on several occasions it was not until the second half that Adam Knight scored for Southampton.
On Sunday the under 12s lost 1- 0 to Hamble in the dying seconds of their coaching game.
The under 12 girls met with a New Sarum side in division two of the under 14 league. Sarum's greater experience told as they won 7 - 0.
With three players not available owing to a county paint ball expedition the under 16 were up against it in their cup match with Farnborough. Farnborough were slick and caused many good save to be made during the game but the Southampton's defence held sound, apart from one goal, in the first half. However tireness told in the second half and Farnborough went on to win 7 - 0.