The first team had a difficult match against Maidenhead. A team, who had
already beaten them away and currently sit in third place in the South
league. However it was Southampton that played the better hockey and who
started the game wanting a result. They had more control and territorial
advantage for the first twenty minutes. During this time Southampton earned
five short corners but the Maidenhead defence were quick off their line and
snuffled out any early shots, leaving the line player to sweep anything else
off to the sidelines.
Maidenhead came more into the game with some neat hockey but were unable to
penetrate into the Southampton D with any great significance. The second
half continued to be full of excellent hockey but both defences were on top
form and denied all scoring chances. Result 0 - 0.
The Seconds were without skipper, Karen Jordan, for this game with Aldershot and took some time to find their true rhythm. Southampton should have taken the lead when an Aldershot defender stopped a certain goal with her foot but the resulting penalty was missed by Liz Walker. However Liz made amends twenty-five minutes into the second half when she produced the match winner in open play, her normal style of scoring. Result 1 - 0.
The Thirds met with a Hamble side resilient in defence but veteran striker Annie Day found her way through to grab an early opener to put Southampton ahead. Hamble's defence then held sound for some time thanks to the fine keeping of Becky Brazier. Southampton moved two ahead when a solo run from Nicky Thomas saw her round Brazier to hit the netting. Hamble saw a chink of light when one of their attacks led to a short corner and Zara Wilde's shot found the corner of the goal to make a final score of 2 - 1 to Southampton, which keeps them in second spot. With Basingstoke losing to Romsey, Southampton inched further towards promotion.
The Fourths and Ryde sitting at the top of the league had a head to head battle. Ryde, full of young County players are a well organised team and played some excellent hockey and deservedly took the lead. The game though was finely balanced with both sides having good scoring opportunities. Ryde then went two and three up but Southampton continued to stay in contention eventually getting a late goal from Di Childs. The result 1 - 3 however still keeps them in contention for promotion.
A disappointing result saw the Fifths earn a 0 - 0 draw away to Gregarians.
For anybody who noticed the first team were sporting their new waterproof tops. Your captains have, I am sure, mentioned these to you. If you are interested in buying one for yourself (cost £34) the Captains will be taking orders shortly.
With promotion now lost, it is an opportunity to look towards the future and look at young players coming through the lower teams. It was a dream opening for fourteen years Matthew Swzinto as he was given such a run out with the men's first team. Fifteen minutes into the game he received a pass from Kelvin Wyatt, dummied the keeper and sent his shot into the open net. This gave Southampton a half time lead of 1 - 0. Weymouth, for much of the season looking like promotion contenders, equalised from a well worked short corner and then went 2 - 1 up five minutes from time to take the game.
The seconds took one more step towards promotion as they overcame Weymouth Seconds 1 - 0 with a Rob Sparrow goal. As I understand it, one more win will guarantee promotion.
An honourable 1 - 1 draw was the result between Winchester and the Thirds as Southampton looked to leap frog their local rivals in this derby game. Southampton took the lead when an Ed Matthews cross was neatly deflected into the net by Steve Quinn.
The Fourths suffered from a lack of defence for the first fifteen minutes as they quickly went 3 - 0 down to Portsmouth and Southsea. Once they had settled down Southampton came much more into the game but could not score to get back to even terms. Result 0 - 3.
5th XI Match report: Vs Chichester Health 2's
After last weeks defeat we were last in the league which is never a morale
booster!! But for some reason the team was in a more jovial mood,
considering the weather!!!!
After a relatively clean start and no early goal we soon settled in to what
was to be our best performance of this year. A goal did come from the
opposition but this just spurred us on to fight even harder (0-1). We
always had enough force up front to be a threat and at least twice
opportunities arose where we were unlucky not to equalise.
The beginning of the second half saw a flurry of attacks, which ended in a
number of shorts being awarded. After about the fifth SC, we finally got a
flick due to some excellent football skills from a Chichester Health
defender (could this also have been the mysterious kicker in the first
half!!!???).
Will Ferguson stepped up kept his composure and levelled the match (1-1).
This equaliser seemed to wake up the whole team and with lots of really good
hockey we were able to keep the pressure on the opposition. After a few
more attacks and yet more shorts (I think around 15 were awarded in the
whole game!!!) we got the winner. Rich Harran acted as a brilliant right
slip to cream the ball home and get us our first victory of 2001.
Hopefully we can continue this excellent hockey and look forward to some
more convincing wins before we get relegated (inevitable now what with the
league's shifting).
Good luck to Martin, who is to have his nose straightened this week.
The Sixth team suffered at the hands Salisbury Swifts, whose young side are gaining confidence with each game they play. Result 0 - 5.
The Masters went quickly 4 - 0 down to highflying Surbiton before Dave German's undercut into the left-hand roof of the net to make it 1 - 4. Surbiton then added two more before German and Chris Crane made it 3 - 6. Mike Barnfield had a chance to add one more but the keeper made a good save from his penalty stroke.
The Vets were out on the pitch ready to play Purley Walcountians before news reached them that the game had been put back by 90 minutes. Purley, who sit in second spot, duly arrived and took advantage of the Southampton side with a 3 - 0 win.
The Otters looked in control as Steve Nutt, following up on a Danny Morgan effort put them 1 - 0 up against league leaders Trojans 3s. Southampton continued to have the majority of the game with Trojans looking to break. It was from one of these that Trojans equalised five minutes before half time and then went on to win 1 - 4.
'What a difference a day makes' the song goes and that was the story of Southampton weekend. Having played super hockey on Saturday and only gained a point, the ladies First team grabbed three points with a workmanlike performance against Horsham. The win sent them up three spots in the league, giving a respite away from the relegation zone. Southampton took a 2 - 0 lead within fifteen minutes when Ali Omell and Sue Crowley scored from short corners. Horsham refused to lie down and took the game to Southampton and would have got back to 2 - 1 but for a superb save by keeper Linda Dunham from a dubious penalty stroke. Hollie Nutt then hit the post and Rebekah Sharr got number three on the stroke of time.
The Men's first team run in the National Vase came to a sorry end as they went down to Sheffield 1 - 5, Chris Stokes getting Southampton's consolation goal.
The girls under 19 second team had to thank Beth Davies for a hat trick as they overcame a strong Winchester side 4 - 0. Anybody know who score the other goal?
The under 14 boys enjoyed a 2 - 2 draw with Salisbury in a friendly with goals coming from David Stokes and Alex Georgopoulos. Terry Andrews & Will Thomson having exceptionally good games in defence. We also let them play an over aged players as well as lending them a GK (Robert O'Brien) and outfield player.