Although the first team did not play the other games in the South league threw up some strange results, all going against the formbook. This will make the remaining fixtures (five matches per club) interesting encounters and take the relegation battle to the end. In the league of eleven teams there is now only a six-point difference between fourth and twelfth positions. With Havant and Southampton midway in this block it makes every game a potential six-pointer and the south coast teams need to keep their defences tight and their forwards busy.
Good to see old friends
With no league for the ladies the seconds met with Hamble. Having lost to Southampton's threes in the league two weeks ago it looked a difficult task for Hamble, especially with first choice keeper, Becky Brazier missing. However with Julie Bowring marshalling Hamble from midfield Southampton soon realised they would need to be on top form to win. Southampton Skipper Karen Jordan encouraged her team continuously, ensuring that scoring chances were created and eventually taken by Liz Walker (2) and Jenny Kimber. It was good to see former players on the Hampshire scene, Ali Burrows and Sarah Warnes treading the pitch again as guest players for Hamble. Final score 3 - 0.
Natasha has the Hart and Earp on target.
Again without league game, it was a mix and match opportunity as Southampton Thirds met with Reading Thirds. In order to give normal keeper Charlotte Page a chance to run her legs off, skipper Jill Stokes took on the goal-keeping role for the first half of the game. Reading took advantage of the breaks and scored two early goals. Promoted from the fifth team, Natasha Hart grabbed one back for Southampton on the stroke of half time. With Charlotte taking up the role of keeper in the second half Southampton looked more balanced and Caroline Earp shot Southampton level midway into the half. Hart then won it for Southampton in the dying minutes.
Debutante takes chance
A mixed fourth and fifth team was strengthened by late additions, Maggs Ingram and Sue Crowley, from the first team, when they met with Winchester 2/3s. It was especially rewarding for Crowley, as it gave her a chance to play alongside three of her pupils from Testwood School, Clare Lewis (in goal), Amanda Royle and Kerry Brown as well as Mary-Anne Mulligan, Kath Harley and Sophie Mitchell from the under 19 squads she coaches. These late changes created a balanced match. Kerry Brown, debutante, from the fifths, opened the scoring for Southampton only to see her effort wiped out and then saw Winchester move ahead. With other seniors Elaine Johns, Lyn Price and Natalie Edwards helping the youngsters press forward the game remained open. A late run saw Crowley slip the ball to Mary-Anne Mulligan to score the equaliser two minutes from time.
Southampton's first team finally got back to their early season form as they overwhelmed Ryde 8 - 2. Ryde's Junior coach Jon Milton was impressed with the team work and level of commitment for a mid table clash late in the season. ANYBODY KNOW WHO SCORED PLEASE
Sparrow scores and takes flight.With the second eleven league championship done and dusted, there could be some excuse for sitting back and taking it easy. Rob Sparrow however had different ideas, in this, his last game for the club before taking a gap year to see the world. He opened the scoring by carving his way through the defence before a reverse stick flick saw the ball in the net. On Thursday he is off to Singapore. The club wish him well on his trip. Eric Holt added the second from five yards before Aldershot and Farnham got back to 2 - 1. Top goal scorer Chris Stokes got number three and Southampton looked to be cruising. Aldershot however could not be under rated as they continued to cause some concern for the Southampton defence and eventually grabbed a late second goal but could not effect the final result of 3 - 2.
The Thirds played most of this game with Haslemere according to the form
books with David Holt (3), Steve Quinn and Mark Frieze putting them 5 - 1 up.
In the second half relaxed tackling and lack of focus brought the game back
to 5 - 4 but Southampton managed to hold on to the win.
The big match in the division between Winchester 4s and 5s resulted in a 2 -
1 win for the 5s. This moves Southampton into second spot behind Havant,
who remain unbeaten.
The fourths met with an Otters side depleted by a County embargo on players playing on Saturdays prior to county championship matches and losing two senior players owing to holiday commitments. A final result of 14 - 0 flattered the fourths in a game, which would have been better delayed pending player's availability. The Fourths move into second spot but Basingstoke Brewers have games in hand and can overtake as the season comes to a close.
The fifths played an emergency fixture against Gosports first team and came away with a creditable 0 - 4 lose thanks to some stirling work from Colin Munday in goal and the defence pack.
Veterans - no game.
The Masters never enjoy travelling to the far end of East Sussex to play against an East Grinstead side crammed with former internationals and county players. With a half time score of 7 - 0 it looked daunting for the Southampton players but a second half revival saw them stem the tide of goals to three. Final score 10 - 0.
The sixth went down to a solitary goal to Andover 4s.
Divisional call ups
Southampton's Danny Morgan & Matt Swzinto make South West under 14 squad for the divisional championships. Steve Nutt is selected as non-travelling reserve. Well done.