Southampton's match with Witney is always a tense struggle with both teams finely balanced. However it looked as though it was to Southampton's day as they contained Witney in their half of the pitch for most of the first twenty minutes and earned several short corners, but could not turn this dominance into goals. Witney grew in confidence and eventually won a short corner from which they scored to take a half time lead of 1 - 0. The second again started with Southampton dominant but Witney again struck from a short corner to take the game 2 - 0.
With Havant 2s in fine form this season Southampton's 2s visit to them on their home patch looked difficult. Southampton took the opportunity to introduced Brenda Kimber to the team, playing along side her older sister, Jenny. The first half saw both teams see sawing up and down the pitch as both fought for superiority but none came. It was Havant that eventually broke the deadlock when they converted a short corner. Jenny Kimber almost brought the game back to level terms but her shot was well saved by the Havant keeper. A late run down the right saw Havant go two up as the winger's shot found the top right hand corner of the net. Overall Southampton produced a sound performance against a side riding high in the league.
Third team game with Gosport was postponed owing to the Navy shutting its military bases for the foot and mouth outbreak. With Basingstoke losing to Eastleigh the Thirds now need five points from three games to secure promotion.
The Fourth met with middle of the table Basingstoke 3s and kept their promotion hopes alive with a 2 - 0 win thanked to goals from Di Childs and Anna Skelton. With both Southampton and Petersfield having to play Alton and then each other the closing games of the season are set to determine the final promotion spot behind Ryde.
The fifths met with IBM, who are looking for promotion in their first season of the league. With many of the IBM players having experience of senior hockey with former clubs it was going to be a tough encounter for the less experienced Southampton side. However it was Southampton who looked the potential match winners as they pressed into the IBM 'D' causing their keeper to bring off several good saves. IBM eventually took the lead when they broke out of Southampton's ring and scored a runaway goal. Southampton were back on even terms minutes later when Beth Davies hit a reverse stick shot into the net. IBM took the points with a goal late in the game. Final result 1 - 2.
The First team met with an Alton side looking at the abyss of relegation but Southampton were in no mood to help as they worked to overcome the bad spell in mid season, which saw their promotion chance go by. Skipper Ben Fitch started the scoring by placing his short corner strike high into the Alton net. Kelvin Wyatt made it two from open play and then Pete Spencer three from short corner. Chris Ellis perhaps had the simplest task as his tap in followed some good work down the wing. Final score 4 - 0.
The Second team, determined to keep up their unbeaten record, swept Alton seconds aside with a 5 - 1 win. Chris Stokes, getting three to notch up 40 for the season to date, was helped by Greg Silman, who score his first for the club. Other scorer not known.
It was one versus two as Havant 4s (unbeaten this season) met with Southampton 3s in this top of the table clash. Southampton started badly, letting the Havant forwards run at them, causing chaos in defence. Havant moved swiftly into a 3 - 0 lead. Southampton suddenly found that they need not wait for the game but could take the game to Havant. This resulted in Southampton getting back to 3 -1 before Havant made it 4 - 1 and then Southampton made it 4 - 2 and almost got to 4 - 3, but Steve Quinn's penalty stroke was well saved by the Havant keeper. See here for Jon Gane's report.
Skipper Mike Gillingham showed his team the way as he netted to take the points in the fourths match with Ewshott. This keeps the 4s in second spot in the league.
The Fifths, depleted by injury, crashed 0 - 5 to Bournemouth 4s. With five games remaining Southampton still have everything to play for as they work to overcome relegation fears.
Remember that game when Leeds played Southampton at the Dell and recorded some 23 passes before scoring a goal, WELL the Vets almost equalled that performance as the strung together 17 passes before the ball was slotted into the City of Oxford's net for goal number five. The final score of 8 - 3 showed the dominance they enjoyed as goals came from Chris Jones [4], Pete Terry [2], Andy Church and Geoff Ingram.
If you were to stand between two pitches and watch two games at once you would think that the Masters were in control of their game with Guildford. Guildford however took the occasions, when my back was turned, to score 5 goals in this game.
New comer Julian Powis scored his first goal for the sixth eleven and joined Richard Gooding on the score sheet but Poole, sporting some very experienced players, took the game 2 - 5.
With six under 18 players on County duty Southampton under 19 first team girls could have called this game off. But the idea is to get players out there playing and it gave Southampton an opportunity to bring in juniors from next years squad, all of which acquitted themselves well. However the cohesion that is normally present was lost, as players worked to get used to differing styles of play. City of Portsmouth on the other hand showed why they are challenging at the top, with a stable side of talented youngsters. A first half performance allowed City to go 3 - 0 ahead before Southampton finally found the net through Mary-Anne Mulligan. City continued to dominate and a late goal from Beth Davies could not reverse the 2 - 6 result.
In the under 18 play offs Haslemere took and an early 2 - 0 lead against Southampton before Chris Stokes grabbed one back from a short corner. Haslemere then moved 3 - 1 ahead before Stokes added his second but Southampton could not find the final equalising goal. Final score 2 - 3.
In an exhibition of strength and skill, Southampton under 14s moved into the Hampshire cup semi-finals with a 13 - 0 win over Winchester. Goals coming from Robert O'Brien [3], Steve Nutt [3], Matt Swzinto [2], Alex Tong [2], James Fewtrell [2] and Ollie Knight.
The Mixed went down by the odd goal in three in their 'friendly' with Wimborne. Luke Knight scoring for Southampton.
IT LOOKS GOOD FOR THE FUTURE OF HAMPSHIRE HOCKEYPerhaps the most satisfying events of the weekend was the staging of the Hampshire round of the Girls under 11 & 13 and the boys under11s of the National MINIs competition.
Southampton boys won through to the semi-final in their competition, only to go out to Havant by the odd goal in the 10-minute game.
At Southampton Sports Centre girls from all over Hampshire showed their resilience as they suffered the cold wind and the necessary stop/starts of all tournament play.
With Gosport, Farnborough Hill and Southampton under 13s all winning their pools it was all to play for as these three teams battled it out. Gosport won through, winning both their final games.
In the under 11s Ryde HC lost to Gosport in one semi-final and Ryde School lost to Southampton in the other. As the evening drew in these talented youngsters called on every ounce of their strength as the minutes ticked by in the final. With three minutes to go Southampton took the lead and looked to be there but Gosport pounced on a loose ball, with seconds to go and forced the game into extra time. As the game entered the second period of extra time it was again Southampton who took the initiative to win.
Southampton under 11s and Gosport Under 13s now go forward into the South round, to be held at St George's School, Weybridge on 18th March.
Roger Merry