The first team met with Bournemouth, who just missed out on promotion to the national league last season, in a friendly. It was a game full of action as both sides played open attacking hockey. Southampton had the best of the early encounters, creating several good scoring opportunities but the Bournemouth goal keeper showed why she is included in the England under 21 squad by bringing off some excellent saves from close range. One the one occasion she was beaten the Southampton shot was well saved on the goal line. At the other end Linda Dunham was also ensuring that the Bournemouth forwards did not have an easy day of it. However the stalemate was broken midway into the second half when a baseline free hit found the Bournemouth centre forward, who managed to force the ball passed the Southampton defence. A pleasing performance which saw some excellent passing and running hockey, which continued throughout the game even after some positional changes.
For the last few seasons Basingstoke have represented Hampshire in the South league play offs so their match with Southampton Seconds was always going to be difficult for the visiting Southampton team. Despite scoring chances falling to both sides it was B'stoke, who grabbed the best two to win.
The Thirds however carried on with their winning streak as they outplayed Andover 4 - 0. Southampton went one up before their goalkeeper made an excellent save from a Anna Skelton penalty stroke. However the save drove Southampton into a higher gear and they added three more before the end of the game. Scorers were Becky Thornton [2], Clare Butcher and Nicky Thomas.
The fourths, who are leading Division Four fell one behind second from bottom Gregarians. However they were back on even terms by half time and some positional changes proved the undoing for Gregarians as Southampton added five in the second half. The best being from Sarah Deighton, who collected the ball on the left wing before runing into the D before firing off an unstoppable narrow angled shot. Other scorers were Di Childs [2], Marie Blake [2] and Annie Day, whose shot off her right foot, a technique she has practiced in training, pleased her tremendously.
The fifths were not on league duty this weekend and travelled to Chichester in a friendly. A Fiona Dalrymple goal earning them a draw.
Two lapses in defensive concentration led to the first team's down fall by 1 - 2 in their league match with Portsmouth and Southsea. Southampton played by far the better hockey and their skill level was excellent but Portsmouth aggressive and organised defence did not allow the Southampton strikers many opportunities. Portsmouth went ahead after twenty minutes when a free hit on the edge of the D was allowed to get to a free player at the far post, who scored. Portsmouth added their second, again from a free hit, neatly deflected passed the keeper before Southampton's Richard Watts grabbed on back.
The seconds gained some sort of revenge as the overcame P&S seconds 1 - 0. Hero of the day was Eric Holt whose goal was dedicated to his first baby, a son, born on Wednesday evening. All of the family are doing well and we understand that Jane and Eric have decided upon Charles John Holt as the baby's name. Congratulations to you both. Not much information on the game, sorry.
The Thirds enjoyed success over local rivals Fareham 3 -1 in this mid table match. Goals coming from Mark Day, Steve Quinn and David Holt. Matthew Southgate received a nasty cut to his ear (six stitches) from an opponents stick and had to miss most of the game. Hope it heals up ok, thanks to Bex Sharr for her pitch side help. He was replaced with Martin Roche, who is making his comeback after several years of retirement. His bar room touring antics and drinking habits were legends of the past.
The fourths continued their bid to stay at the head of their league with a 2 - 1 victory over University of Portsmouth. Scorers for Southampton were Mike Woods and Mike Gillingham. Steve Dunham had a bad weekend as he had his finger crushed on Saturday and spent several hours in casualty, with little success, so he managed to get a stick in his face on Sunday so that he could spend another 4+ hours there. However on his second visit they did manage to sort out both his finger and face. Hope you are back to full health soon Steve.
An Anthony Heaton goal was all Southampton Fifths gained from their game with Winchester as the visitors won 1 - 4. Thanks to Pete Cox who stepped in to umpire after his game.
The Vets were feeling the pinch as Winchester second vets went into a 2 - 0 lead but a second half turn round saw Martin Wood, scoring from the penalty spot and Pete Terry getting a fine solo effort to even the score. Extra training may well be ordered by skipper Danby !!
Oxford Hawks obviously thought Southampton Masters were going to be an easy run out when they saw their relative league positions. However Southampton were not ready to roll over and give away the points. Southampton went into an early lead when Paul Meacher converted a Dave German right wing cross. Oxford got back into the game to take a 2 -1 lead. A Mike Barnfield penalty stroke made the scores even before Paul Meacher struck again to give Southampton three much needed points. Oxford eventually had two players sent off. One for continuous chatter and the second for daring to speak with Nigel !!!
A family affair helped give the Otters success when father Henry Swzinto laid on the pass for son Matthew to open the scoring 15 minutes into their game with Basingstoke Beavers. Alex Tong then added a second before Matt got his second and father Henry scored the fourth to finalise the score at 4 - 2 in Southampton's favour.
In an under 19 girls match Southampton's Kerry Brown opened the scoring before Gosport equalised late in the game for a 1 - 1 draw. It is difficult with such a large squad of players to maintain good flowing hockey but over the last couple of matches the players we have seen the teams get settled into good passing hockey, with lots of team support. Thanks to the parents for their continued help with transport.
The under 14 boys travelled to City of Portsmouth and took a well deserved 1 - 0 half time lead through a Danny Morgan effort but some interesting umpiring gave City many unexplained short corners, two of which were converted to give City a 2 - 1 win. Coach Henry Swzinto is pleases with his squads performance but disappointed to lose in such circumstances.
Why not pop down to the sports Centre one Sunday morning and watch some of the junior games.