The first team match was postponed owing to Horsham playing indoor.
The seconds met with local opposition, Trojans in a match, which seesawed continuously throughout the game. Trojans started with some neat passing hockey but failed to penetrate consistently enough to produce a good scoring chance. Southampton worked themselves back into the game but also failed to create that vital opportunity. With the score at 0 - 0 at half time the second half followed a similar pattern for the first 15 minutes but Southampton looked the more likely to break the deadlock. However with 3 minutes remaining a Trojan break down the left saw the ball crossed and a deflected touch from Ross Bray saw the ball spin against the keepers foot and into the net. Late pressure could not find Southampton the equaliser, which would have been a fair result for a game full of skill and passion.
The Thirds were drawing 0 - 0 with City of Portsmouth seconds when their goal keeper, Charlotte Page was forced to do the splits to save a shot from the City striker. This brought the Southampton team to life as they rifled home 5 second half goals for a 5 - 0 victory. This results keeps them in second spot in the league. Scorers on the day were Clare Butcher [2], Sarah Deighton, Emma White and Suzzane Quinton (penalty stroke).
A table top clash between Southampton Fourths and Fordingbridge First team saw Southampton widen the gap at the head of Division four. Alex Williams, making amends for a missed penalty, opened the scoring before Fordingbridge pulled it back to 1 - 1. Fifteen year old Sophie Mitchell restored the lead before Lyn Price sealed the game at 3 - 1.
The Fifths despite having the better of the early game, went one down to Petersfield after 20 minutes when with a goal mouth melee ensuing the ball found an unmarked player at the far post and twelve year old keeper Clare Lewis had no chance to save. However Anna Skelton zipped into gear to deliver a four goal personal salvo before Fiona Dalrymple added one for a final score of 5 - 1.
A weekend of mixed fortunes for the First team. On Saturday they travelled
for Salisbury and went down by a 2 - 1 scoreline for the second week. A
disappointing start led to the Wiltshire side taking the points with two
goals in the first twenty minutes. Southampton finally got into gear but a
Pete Spencer goal was all the credit they got for controlling the game during
the second half.
However on Sunday they met with Northampton in the 3rd round of the National
Vase competition. Showing the spirit that still exists in hockey both sides
set too to clear the pitch of the overnight snow. Southampton took a 2 - 0
lead through Gary Watts goal from a short corner rebound and skipper Ben
Fitch long push into the bottom corner before Northampton pulled one back.
Southampton went further ahead through Steve Perkins before a late
Northampton goal made the final score 3 - 2. I think this puts them into the
last 16, confirmation welcome. Lets hope for a home fixture in the next
round.
The seconds also met with Salisbury but had the better of the encounter, running out 3 - 1 winners. The first coming from Rob Sparrow who deflected an Eric Holt right wing cross. Salisbury equalised following up on a short corner. Rob then scored an individual effort, rounding two defenders before slipping the keeper. Pete Graham scoring from a short corner in the last seconds of the match.
The thirds met Basingstoke in a mid table clash. For the first 30 minutes
the game was virtually a carbon copy of the Basingstoke match in the first
half of the season;
uncharacteristic sloppy defending allowed B to score a ludicrously easy goal
after 10 minutes when they broke away from left midfield and crossed unchallenged
to the top of the D where a fierce shot left little opportunity for Mike
Loveless to become a hero. A good goal for B but poor defending for which
nearly all of the defence was culpable.
However the resolve of the 3s has stiffened over the season and the rest of
the half the Bs defence was put under great pressure resulting in a barrage
of short corners one of which was scrambled in by BJ after 25 minutes. A
welcome sight.
This was quickly followed by an even less attractive but even more welcome
goal from Daisy (his third goal in three weeks - but then I'm sure he's told
you that already!).
2:1 at half time was heartening and whilst an all out attack from Bs was
expected it never really came. So'ton survived 5/6 short corners with Mike L
only really being asked to put pad to ball on one occasion. So'ton possession
was probably 60+ per cent but no further goals were scored. Final score Basingstoke
1 : 2 Southampton.
The defence from the forwards was what really made the difference. Pies, BJ
and Matt along with the midfield never allowed Bs to clear their 16 easily and
this was undoubtedly the best example of the 3s using "the press".
Man of the Match was Dave Holt who combined his normal role of skilful
playmaker with a dogged determination not to give any space to the B
midfield.
An excellent team performance and a deserved away win which puts Clearwater
between So'ton and Bs and keeps the pressure on both Winchester teams and
Fareham.
We remain third in league with 23 points from 12 games and a plus 12 goal
difference.
We have also exceeded last years end of season points tally.
The next three games are against the bottom three teams and we must win all
of these to maintain a challenge for second place. Realistically Havant have
won the league with a 100% record. The final three teams are against the top
three and with confidence high we expect to create some upsets.
The Otters, playing with four under 14s enjoyed a 4 - 0 victory over Old edwardians 3rd team. Rob Gibbs opened the scoring following up on a short corner. Henry Swzinto then added two before Alex Tong slapped in at the far post. Paul Moxon had a fine game in goal seeing off any Edwardians attacks.
The fourths kept up their challenge for promotion with a 1 - 1 draw with Southampton University. Anybody know who scored ???
The fifths travelled to the Isle of Wight, but despite (or perhaps because of) the excitement of travelling on a ferry, they came away 1-0 losers. Mike Foulds getting a yellow card and a spell on the sideline for "Threatening Behaviour".
The Masters were five seconds away from an historic victory, away to Richmond, who boast several former nationally capped players. Ronnie Mascarenhas put Southampton ahead and the result looked in the bag but a short corner, awarded in the dying seconds, was upgraded to a penalty stroke by the disengaged umpire, who was fifty yards away from the incident. Result 1 - 1.
Bill Gowman, making his first appearance since receiving an injury at the end of last season, opened the scoring as the Vets met Bournemouth in a friendly. Bournemouth then netted twice to lead before Pete Terry equalised. Result 2 - 2
The under 19 girls first team had an enjoyable match with a young Basingstoke side whose work rate and skill kept the league leaders at bay for twenty minutes before Alex Williams deflected a Jenny Kimber pass. A second from Williams made the score 2 - 0 at half time. However tiredness started to tell as Southampton's Helen Carter, Sarah Batchelor and Hollie Nutt {2} added second half goals to make a final score of 6 - 0.