With only three weeks to go before the leagues start in earnest it is important to get good match practice. Southampton first senior team fixture was against local and South league opposition, City of Portsmouth. The match proved competitive with City twice taking the lead and Southampton rebounding back to equalise through Julia Fabrizi and Ali Omell. However in the second half Southampton showed their greater experience and started to work the ball around the pitch, maintaining possession and creating a series of short corners. Southampton resolution was rewarded when a goal mouth melee' resulted in a penalty flick, which was converted by Sue Crowley. Jo Edmondson (formerly Horsley) settled the game when she collected the ball on the halfway and ran to the d. With dummy runs by Naomi Dun and Bex Sharr taking away defenders, Edmondson found herself with just the keeper to beat and slotted the ball neatly into the net. Final score 4 - 2.
Congratulations to Jo Knight who, subject to ratification by the Hampshire Umpiring Association qualified as a level one umpire on Saturday.
Also Happy birthday Jo.
The seconds met with Newbury first team and despite early pressure managed to take the lead midway through the first half when Nicki Le Bas netted. Newbury were eventually rewarded for their constant pressure with an equaliser early in the second half. Kay Whittington then made it 2 - 1 to Southampton but late Newbury pressure resulted in a penalty corner being converted on the stroke if time. Final score 2 - 2.
The thirds travelled to meet Newbury seconds in a reverse fixture and were comfortable 4 - 0 winners. Skipper Jill Stokes was especially pleased with the performance as the team included several of the clubs under 16s who blended well with their more experienced team mates. Mary-Anne Mulligan opened the scoring to make it 1 - 0 at half time before she gained score again for her brace and Jo Knight and Becky Thornton finished the scoring. Final score 4 - 0
The fifths were pitted against Newbury Thirds and went one down 20 minutes into the game. Southampton exerted a period of pressure and were back on even terms by half time. However a fine display of individual skill from Newbury's centre half created several scoring chances and Southampton conceded three further goals for a final score of 1 - 4.
The A34 must have been full of hockey players as Newbury men's first team also made the trek to Southampton, where they met with a Southampton first team sporting debutantes, Chris Stokes, Matt Swzinto and Andy Rowe. Newbury almost opened the scoring when a break down the middle left keeper Rowe in a one v one situation but his sliding tackle allowed him to dispossess the oncoming forward. Chris Stokes made the most of his opportunity when he opened the scoring with a reverse stick flick after rescuing the ball from the keepers pads. Stokes made it 2 - 0 with a reverse stick chip over a stranded keeper. Gary Watts added a third with another reverse stick goal to give a 3 - 0 lead. However Newbury surged forward during the second half and grabbed two goals back before a late stick tackle by the visitors keeper gave Stokes his hat trick chance from the penalty spot on the stroke of time. The keeper decided the game was over and walked away from the stroke and was deputised by a willing umpire. Final score 4 - 2.
The seconds convincingly overcame United Services first team 3 - 0 with goals coming from Pete Graham, Jasdeep Singh and Mark Freize.
The Otters fielding seven under 14s were on the wrong end of a 4 - 5 scoreline with Andover. It was end to end stuff until midway through the second half when Southampton were reduced to 10 players following a temporary suspension and Andover grabbed two goals to go 4 -2 up. However once Southampton were restored to eleven players they came back with two great goals. The first from Will Brown, who got on the end of a James Please pass and the second from James Moody, whose strike from the top of the d beat the oncoming keeper. Andover however had one last drive for victory and scored in the dying minutes.
The Vets started the season with two wins over local opposition over the last two weekends. Last week they convincingly beat Old Edwardian 7 - 3 and continued with a good 4-1 win over league opposition United Services. US took an immediate lead within minutes of the start before Southampton settled into their stride. Sexagenarian Robin Meacher equalised at the far post before Pete Terry made it 2 - 1 at half time. Chris Jones found the net twice in the second half to settler the match.
The Masters fell by the odd goal as they met with a younger Trojans Vets.
Southampton 5th's V Trojan Terriers
The match started out like most of our other matches towards the end of last
season. We started off badly, and then once we found ourselves playing as a
team, we progressed together.
The passes were flowing around freely, with balls being put in from midfield
to the strikers.
Trying different tactics these season under the new influence of Martin
Rosher (captain) & Mark Cozens (Vice captain) we adopted a new structure to
our game.
With the new positioning, our game was more organised and direct.
We had a lot of free play & passes in to the top of the 'D', supplied by Mark
Cozens, which ended with a few good shots on target.
Even with the on slaught of the Trojans our defence battled hard & furious
against their attacks.
One of our forward plays presented a challenge to the opposition. The ball
was passed around and with a good injecting ball from Mark Cozens allowed
Rich Harran to hit a corking goal!
Our second half tended to be better. We came out stronger, fitter & more
determined than our opposition.
Through relentless play & some very good attacks from the Trojans our goal
keeper Colin Munday kept our opposition at bay.
Roger Merry