Although it was a weekend of disappointment for Southampton Ladies First and the Boys Under 14 teams, having both reached the finals of their respective Hampshire cups, both fell at the last hurdle. Both teams were pleased to have the chance to perform on the big stage as they played in front of a packed stand at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth.
The Ladies, meeting with Havant, fell one behind to a cruel stroke of luck
when Sue Crowley's block of a short corner strike saw the ball fly into the
air to lob the Southampton goal keeper, Linda Dunham, Southampton were back
on even terms within the half when Jo Horsley collected the ball to make a
fine run into Havant's D before getting off a shot, which was initially
smothered by the keeper before Bex Sharr pounced when the ball came clear to
force the ball home. However it was Havant's short corners that again
brought them their second and match winning goal as the ball found its way to
the right post and was neatly deflected in.
Southampton dominated the second half creating several short corners and good
scoring chances and looked to have won a penalty stroke when the Havant goal
keeper came sliding out off goal to take the ball, stick and legs of Sue
Crowley but the umpire adjudge her to have touched the ball first.
Southampton's midfield of Allie Omell, Jo Knight, and Sarah Batchelor worked
tireless to prompt the forwards but the break through did not come.
It was a good team performance from the team which also included Nicky Tarry (captain), Fiona Jarman, Emma White, Maggs Ingram, Charlotte Gallagher, Naomi Dunn and Hollie Knight.
The Under 14 Boys looked well on their way to victory as they quickly moved into a 2 - 0 lead over City of Portsmouth through Steve Nutt and Danny Morgan but a short corner goal just before half time saw City rally. In the second half two yellow cards for stick tackles left Southampton down to ten men for two five minute periods and City managed to equalise. With the game looking to go to penalty strokes City earned a late short corner from which they scored.
Thanks to those that gave their support.
Roger Merry