It was a double celebration as Southampton Third and Fourth teams clinched promotion from their respective leagues. The Thirds moved to join the seconds in Hampshire Division one with a comprehensive win over an Esso side depleted by injury and illness. Southampton continuously worked the ball neatly through the Esso defence showing skill and pace when required. The first goal coming from Nicky Thomas in a one to one with the keeper. The second goal a fine finish at the far post for Helen Featherstone and the third from Suzanne Quinton. Well done Ladies.
The Fourths clinched their move to Hampshire Division three when they met
with second in the table, Petersfield seconds. A nervous start saw
Petersfield go ahead after 50 seconds before Di Childs (2) and Maria Blake
made it 3 - 2 at half time. The second half belonged to Petersfield as they
battled to regain the promotion slot but Southampton held on and then
extended their lead when Blake added number four.
Congratulations to you
These two results offer a great challenge to the club who will now look to consolidate these league positions. Regretfully with job changes resulting in players moving from the area there will be opportunities for new experienced players to join the club.
Southampton First team eventually found just rewards for their style of attacking hockey when they out-gunned Tulse Hill for the second time this season. It was Tulse Hill that started quickly forcing Southampton to react quickly to their rapid attacks. This stirred Southampton into action. Skipper Nicky Tarry rattled the post and then on 25 minutes Ali Omell collected the ball on the 25 and drove hard into the D before unleashing a shot into the net. With a role reversal at a short corner Jo Horsely slipped a ball to Sue Crowley, whose shot was deflected in passed the goalkeeper by Jo Knight. The third goal from Southampton was the first for Naomi Dunn at senior level. She found herself in the right spot to finish off a Jo Knight cross. The three points moved Southampton to seventh in the league.
The second went one down to an early hotly disputed penalty against Aldershot and Farnham and despite getting one goal back through LizWalker they eventually lost 1 - 2.
The fifths were disappointed that their opposition, United Services, only managed to field five players and concede the match. However the five arrived and the players enjoyed a game by combining all the players.
The first team ended their league campaign with a 1 - 3 defeat by Southampton University. Uni went 3 - 0 up with goals from James Baker (2) and Alex Warne before Gary Watts netted for Southampton. It has been a season of mixed fortunes as Southampton looked to combine high skills with the teamwork required to gain success.
The seconds also found the University their Achilles heel as they eventually lost their 100% record in this their promotion season. A John Freckleton goal was only reply to the University's four. However to maintain their focus to a point where promotion was guaranteed was, in itself, a more than creditable performance.
The Thirds found themselves lending out players to a mixed 1/2s Wimborne Wayfarers side. James Wise opening and closing the scoring with Mark Day and Mark Freize also getting into the act in the 4 - 2 win.
Fourths and Otters no game.
The fifths went one up against Alton before a late goal from Adrian Trimm helped share the points for Alton.
The Sixth team's match with Fareham was an end to end affair as each team matched other for goals in this 3 - 3 draw as ex-keeper Paul Newman (2) and Mike Cotton scored for Southampton.
A winning result of 8 - 1 over high-flying Woking was enough to ensure the Masters continue to play in the senior Veterans league next season. Returning to the form that has made them a dominant force over previous seasons saw Paul Meacher (3), Mark Watts (2), Bill Stokes, Jeremy Day and Chris Crane getting on the score sheet.
Having won the Hampshire rounds of their respective competitions Southampton Under 11 girls and under 13 boys moved into the South competitions.
U11 Girls came 5th representing Hampshire in the South Tournament at Weybridge. Manager Andrew Eldergill-Storm did an excellent job preparing the team for action. They were led by the smallest player on the pitch Kitty Dwyer who had a solid game in defence. The girls beat Abbey 1-0 in the first game through an Amy Sheehan goal. In the second game they drew 1-2 with Teddington Amy scoring again. Unfortunately they lost the third game 1-0 against Chesham and were denied a Stroke by the umpire who gave a short corner instead! Then they played St George's and lost 1-0 although we had most of the play with excellent performances from Jenny Raw, Imogen Eldergill-Storm and Helen Please in mid field. In the final game they lost 3-1 against St Andrews with Imogen scoring from a Penalty Stroke. St Andrews remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and justifiably took first place. Katherine Woodford had a superb game in goal and she was well supported by Emma Godfrey and Juliet Laycock. Katie Pake also played in a couple of the games. Unfortunately Beccy Mould was ill on the day and could take no part in the action. The girls were a credit to the Club and look full of promise for the future. Well done!
The under 13 boys travelled to Henley on Thames where they met and beat Desborough 3 - 0 with goals from David Stokes and James Please. High on confidence they then met a strong East Grinstead side, drawing 0 - 0. They then played a Kingston School side who had demolished the other two teams. Kingston went one up through lack of concentration but Southampton battled hard and a good umpiring advantage saw Ollie Knight pass the ball to David Stokes who netted. Kingston came back to exert constant pressure but could not rock Southampton again. Onward into the semi-final meant a 90 minute break where they met a well-drilled Marlow team, losing 4 - 0. A creditable 3rd place in their first year. Squad:- Ben Williams (GK), James Please, Will Thomson, David Stokes, Josh Lambert, Robert O'Brien, George Randall, Terry Andrews and Ollie Knight.
In their match with Haslemere it was success in front goal that was the told the tale. Haslemere created no more opportunities than Southampton Under 19 second team but managed to find the net four times to Southampton once. However the set back still leaves Southampton with an opportunity to seal the league when they play New Sarum.
The Under 14s enjoyed success on Havant's water base with a 4 - 2 win. Jilly Hurden, Alex Parvin (2) & Charlotte Black scoring for Southampton.