A disappointing outing to Hampstead saw the first team go down by 2 - 0. The match played on a water-based pitch, which had not been water owing to a broken pump, became a lottery with the run and bounce of the ball being unpredictable. Hampstead opened the scoring five minutes into the first half keeper Linda Dunham was unsighted by a third party and they forced home from short range. Southampton chased the game and for long periods kept Hampstead pinned in their half but could not break down their resolute defence. Early in the second half Southampton lost Naomi Dunn with a bad cut just above the eye. Hampstead gathered their second twenty minutes into the second half when a short corner was not cleared and the centre forward hit the ball home from close range. Southampton continued to control the game but could not find the net.
The second team enjoyed a 5 - 2 win over lowly Southampton University despite being without first choice goalkeeper Sandy Lewis. Deputy keeper Charlotte Page played well and could not be blamed for any of the University's goals, one of which was deflected over her head by one of her own defenders. Southampton's best goal coming when Kay Whittington played a series of one twos with skipper Karen Jordan before shooting. Other scorers for Southampton were Jenny Kimber [2] and Liz Walker [2]. University continue to look in danger as they sit in the relegation zone.
The Thirds also continued their winning ways to keep in touch with the league leaders, Eastleigh but have Basingstoke breathing down their necks with two games in hand. The game with Haslemere was a tense affair with the result being in doubt to the end. Southampton winning 2 - 1 with goals coming from Becky Thornton and Nicky Thomas.
The fourths continued their promotion chase but condemned City of Portsmouth fourths further towards relegation with this 5 - 0 result. Although Southampton had Di Childs to thank for the scoring of four of their goals it was junior Sophie Mitchell who excelled playing in centre midfiled. Team manager, Deidre Coombes was pleased with the overall display of hockey produced. Southampton fifth goal came from Lyn Price.
The Fifths also kept in touch with leaders, Basingstoke. A physical game saw Southampton earn a well-deserved 0 - 0 draw. Southampton's twelve-year-old keeper, Clare Lewis ensuring a clean sheet with a diving save late in the game.
The first team went one down to league leaders, Hamble but soon got back to 1 - 1 with a Kelvin Wyatt goal. With the game finely balanced, it took a red card for Hamble's Dave Kelly to shake up the game. Hamble's reorganisation proved the fillet they needed as the went on to score two match winning goals to stay at the head of the promotion race.
It was a top of the table tussle for the Seconds as they took on Hamble. Hamble took the lead after 15 minutes but were pegged back when Natt Mayes deflected a Eric Holt short corner strike (SC). Pete graham made it 2 - 1from a SC and then Matt Mayes running from the half way line slipped the ball to Rob Sparrow to tap home. Hamble gained one back from a penalty stroke before Eric Holt and Steve Matthews combined for Matthews to score. Hamble mounted several late charges earning SCs but could not get back into the game. Southampton now need two wins from their next six games to guarantee promotion and with, ther contender, Weymouth next weeks oppostion there will be all to play for.
Southampton 3rd 6 : 2 Haslemere 3rd
Scorers: David Holt 2, Miles Williams, Steve Quinn and Pete Cox & Mark
Freize {first for the club}
Bottom of the league Haslemere turned up with half of their 4th team due to
sickness and unavailability. Nevertheless they took the lead after 10 minutes
with a scrambled goal slightly against the run of play.
Two quick goals from Southampton (can't remember anything about them due to
the rigours of the Kangaroo Court that followed the game). 2:1 at half time
did not really reflect the dominance enjoyed by Soton with 3 or 4 golden
opportunities spurned.
Following the break Haslemere again scored with a superb solo effort by the
Haslemere ring winger who used skill and pace to beat 3 Soton defenders and
shoot reverse stick into the goal (I wonder why these sort of shots on never
on target when Quinny tries it!?).
Four more goals from Soton won the game with the most spectactular being a
break from the right back position all the way up the wing to the dead ball
line. Pete Cox converted the pulled back cross.
Not our most convincing performance but we remain in 3rd place with 29 points.
The kangaroo court held at the clubhouse saw a very smart turnout this time
and no doubt swelled the club profits accordingly.
The fourth team are only four points off the promotion spot in the Open League Division One and must keep winning to maintain their challenge. A Colin Langridge hat trick set them on their way in this match with City of Portsmouth. A final result of 4 - 1 was earned when skipper Mike Gillingham scored.
A 09:30am meet for the 5th XI meant that everybody was banned from going
out Friday night
(yeah right!!) and having only achieved 11 men the night before the match (2
weeks running now!!!) we were not in an incredibly fantastic mood!!! The
drive to Blandford was uneventful although we did take one minor detour!!!!
The game itself, once underway, was very physical with a barrage of attacks
coming in the first 15 minutes or so from our opposition. As is usual these
days we conceded the first goal only to have another one put past us not
long after. In between this though Colin Monday saved a fantastic penalty
flick giving the team a required confidence boost.
2-0 at half time and even with some minor changes during the first half
Blandford appeared to be playing the better hockey!!!
The beginning of the second half saw us fly though the Blandford team with
some fantastic one touch hockey which ended in an excellent through ball
from Jason Pearson and a Will Ferguson finish.
However the Blanford boys were no match for our fitness and they soon
managed to break through our solid forward offence. They scored in the last
10 which left us fighting hard until the end for some sort of consolation.
All in all a very good game to watch. It was a shame we didn't play as well
in the first half as we did in the second. Food was great too for those
that stayed!!!!!
The Sixes overcame Southsea 5s by 4 - 0. Goals coming from normal keeper, Paul Newman and brothers Adam and Oliver Knight.
The Masters enjoyed one of their rare victories this season as they overcame Chichester 5 - 1. Bill stokes opened the scoring with the first two before skipper Mike Barnfield converted a penalty stroke. Chris crane added number four and Stokes made it a hat trick with number five.
The Vets went one up against local rivals through Chris Jones and stayed that way until half time. Trojan's younger legs started to run the game and forced errors in the Southampton defence to win by 4 - 1.
The Otters were 4 - 0 down to City of Portsmouth before Rob Gibbs, playing in a new left midfield role, scored twice and then saw his chance for a third go inches outside of the post. A third goal was added by Danny Morgan ?? to make a final score of 3 - 4.
It has been a long time coming but after several near misses Southampton under 19 girls finally won the honour to represent Hampshire in the South round of the national championships. With wins over Winchester, New Milton and Yateley Southampton needed only a draw with Havant to win their pool. Having achieved their first goal they then went on to beat Gosport 1 - 0 in the semi-final.
With 120 minutes of hockey behind them on a cold winter's day it was a credit to both teams that they were able to continue to play exciting and open hockey to the end. Southampton's Hollie Nutt sealed the game with a reverse stick shot during the second half but City of Portsmouth resolve was such that they continued to challenge to the end. When most credit goes to the scorers it was Southampton's keeper Charlotte Page who kept the clean sheet for the whole tournament well supported by her back four of skipper Becky Mortimer, Jo Marsh, Charlotte Gallagher and Brenda Kimber. Scorers for Southampton were Hollie Nutt [4], Jenny Kimber [2], Becky Mortimer and Charlotte Gallagher. Other players included Helen Carter, Mary-Anne Mulligan, Anna Greaves, Anna Skelton, Sabrina Black and Sarah Batchelor.
The under 14 girls enjoyed their first win of the year with a 1 - 0 win over Petersfield.
The under 14 boys got back into their winning ways as the overwhelmed a weakened Gosport side 12- 0. Goals coming from Simon King [4], Steven Nutt [3], Tim Slade [2],David Stokes, Danny Morgan and Robert O'Brien.
The Men's First team, weakened by unavailability drafted in several second
team players in their cup match with Wimborne and had to thank two of them,
Eric Holt and Neil Hutchinson, for their goals. Wimborne took the lead
despite early Southampton dominance before Eric Holt's penalty stroke brought
them back to level terms. Wimborne then went further ahead before Neil
Hutchinson made it 2 - 3. Southampton conceded a fourth as they pushed
forward for the equaliser.
Wimborne at full strength and second in their league were too strong on the
day. Final result 4 - 2.
Paul Meacher had a hand in all Southampton Mixed teams goals as he scored five and set up three for Liz Walker, Luke Knight and Mark Day in their 8 - 1 win over Swanage.