With other South club sides involved with indoor Southampton first team played a friendly against Wimborne Wayfarers. Wimborne took the lead midway through the first half but a Hollie Nutt short corner strike pulled Southampton back to even terms before a Sue Crowley strike made it 2 - 1 at half time. Sue Crowley opened the scoring in the second half before both Jo Horsley and Bex Sharr earned their Christmas braces to put Southampton into a 7 - 1 lead before Wimborne grabbed one back at a short corner. Final score 7 - 2. Sue should have had a third but for the Dorset interpretation of stopping at a short corner!!! Jo Knight and Bex kindly intervened on her behalf but the umpire was emphatic. Sarah Batchelor's nose bleed was momentary as her excursion into the oppositions' D was short lived. Jo Horsley confirmed both of hers came from six inches of the line and Bex's neat deflection of a Hollie Nutt shot nipped between the GK pads.
Skipper KJ got a belated birthday present at the restart of the Hampshire league. The second team was pitched against Fleet, who were 2 points ahead and third in the league. With regular defenders missing it was always going to be a tough fixture but Southampton took the early initiative and move ahead through Nicky Le Bas and then went two up through Jenny Kimber. Fleet forced themselves back into the game with a second half goal and continued to pressurise the Southampton defence to the end but sterling work by keeper, Sandy Lewis and defenders, Emma White, Steff Glossop, Charlotte Morris and Kay Whittingham (playing out of position).
The Thirds, sitting appropriately in third position met with Basingstoke, who were second at the start of the game. However Southampton fielding six under 18 girls threw caution to the wind and found the net five times to record a comprehensive 5 - 0 victory. Fifteen year old, Anna Skelton weaved her way through the Basingstoke defence for three goals before adding a fourth from the penalty spot. Di Childs getting number five. Skipper Jill Stokes was overjoyed with the team performance and the quality of the youngsters' play. Southampton leapfrogged over Basingstoke into second position.
The fourths match ran true to form with Southampton (currently top) running out 6 - 0 winners over Trojans Third team. However the fourths spread their goal tally around with Sarah Deighton (2), Mary Annie Mulligan, Charlotte Leathem, Sophie Mitchell and Lyn Price getting on the score sheet. Excellent performance after some late changes.
A late goal for Andover saw the fifths slip one place in the league.
With only five points separating the top seven teams in Hampshire Division one it is essential to take every opportunity to stay in the race. Southampton fielded a side with an average age of 19 years 7 months owing to injury and unavailability but were equal to the challenge as they met with Yateley, who sat one position ahead of them in the league. Kelvin Wyatt opened the scoring in the first half before a penalty flick from acting skipper, Chris Ellis made it 2 - 0 to Southampton. Yateley pulled one back before a moment of individual magic from Matthew Mayes made it 3 - 1 at full time. Both teams continued to create scoring chances but nobody found the final touch to leave the score at 3 - 1 to Southampton. Next match at home on 13th January 13:30 start. Let's get some support on the sidelines.
The second team also met with Yateley, who sit one spot behind them, at second place in the league All the action was in the first half as Southampton moved ahead through a Pete Graham Short corner strike. Yateley struck back from a short corner strike before Eric Holt made it 2 - 1 from an open play goal and 3 - 1 from a short corner. Southampton keeper Paul Howarth pulled off a point blank save on the stroke of half time to keep the score at 3 - 1. This result moves Southampton 11 points clear of Yateley but further positive results are necessary to confirm promotion. Strong language or dissent led to one player being yellow carded by the umpire.
A comprehensive 6 - 1 win for the Thirds over Andover saw them swap places in the league. See the full report.
Second place met third place as the Southampton Fourths also met with Yateley. The form book predicted a tight game with a final result of 1 - 1 with Southampton's goal coming from Dominic Gordon. Another card for dissent left the team short of a player.
Salisbury Swifts proved too strong in this goal laden fixture as they outshot Southampton's Fifth 6 - 3. Southampton's goals coming from Michael Foulds and Greg Silman (2).
Table topping Hamble Thirds proved too strong in the first half against Southampton Sixth, taking a 3 - 0 lead but a second half rally saw Southampton keeping the game even in the second half. Final result 3 - 0.
Honours were even in the Masters' local derby with Trojans. Southampton welcomed back Martin Roche from a period of retirement. Paul Meacher opened the scoring for Southampton in the first half. Trojans equalised in the second half. A brilliant performance by the Southampton keeper Steve Dadda kept the Trojans forwards at bay. A late Southampton effort from Rob Jenkins was disallowed for a final score of 1 - 1. RJ is still convinced it was stopped and has offered to give Tubby some guidance.
The senior Vets were in another local derby with Fareham and returned home victorious with a 3 - 2 win thanks to goals from skipper Geoff Danby, Pete Terry and Ralph Turner. They must have had a good time in the Fareham bar, as they did not get back for some time after dark.
The Otters overcame a lowly Bournemouth 3s 6 - 3 with Matt Swzinto (2) getting amongst the goals. Anybody know who else scored please.
On Sunday the under 19 girls second team met with Fareham and were in a comfortable 2 - 0 leading position but two late errors and Fareham's continued pressure cost two late goals for a final result of 2 - 2. Both Southampton's goals coming from Jessica Goddard at the far post. Some thoughtful and entertaining hockey played by a team of under 16s, who have still to reach their full potential.
The under 14 first team went down 11 - 0 to City of Portsmouth but the under 12s had a good 0 - 0 draw with New Sarum.
The Under 18 boys played some excellent team hockey against Andover. The passing and interplay was some of the best this season as they soared to a 21 - 1 victory. Goals coming from Chris Stokes (9), Jasdeep Sohal Singh (6), James Millar (3), Mike Woods and Rhobet Williams & Greg Jones.
Mixed result against New Milton ?