In preparation for the start of the league season next weekend, Southampton met with
Wimborne and played some of their best hockey to overwhelm the opposition.
The game started well with both sides battling for supremacy but it was Southampton that broke
the deadlock after twelve minutes when Julia Fabrizi's strike at a short corner hit the backboards
before the keeper reacted. Two further goals were added before half time by
Naomi Dunn and Bex Sharr. With confidence soaring Southampton stroked the ball
around making Wimborne work hard to stay in the game. Tiredness eventually saw
Wimborne succumb to the pace of Southampton's forwards and midfield and six second
half goals were added by Bex Sharr [2], Naomi Dunn, Jo Edmondson, Julia Fabrizi and
Charlotte Gallagher, bringing the ball through from defence before hitting a rocket
passed the keeper. A solid team performance.
The seconds met with Reading 2s, who were strengthened by several of last season's first eleven. Despite constant pressure Southampton defence held fast until just before half time when Reading scored from a rebound at a short corner. Southampton were put at further disadvantage when centre midfield, Karen Jordan was forced to take a pedestrian roll following an injury to her foot. Reading took the opportunity to run the ball at the reorganised Southampton midfield and defence, scoring four further goals.
The Thirds raced ahead in their game with Salisbury, when Sandy Lewis deflected the ball passed the keeper after only two minutes. New Sarum came back to 1 - 1 before Mary-Anne Mulligan made it 2 - 1. Southampton were reduced to 10 players late in the game and Salisbury grabbed two quick goals and the match.
With Andover demoted from division two and Southampton 3s promoted from division four last season this was always going to be an interesting game. Andover's greater experience eventually showing with a 3 - 0 victory.
Southampton's first met with Trojans in this rehearsal for a league match later in the season. Trojans having been relegated from the Hampshire/Surrey league had the greater experience in this local derby, so it was down to Southampton to prove their point. Trojans took the lead on a hard, bumpy pitch before Steve Perkins forced the ball over the line during a goal mouth melee'. Trojans again took the lead but Southampton replied when Simon Everett took advantage of a loose ball off the keeper's pads to equalise. Southampton took the lead when Chris Stokes was grounded by the keeper and converted the resultant penalty stroke. Trojans late rally produced the final goal for a 3 - 3 draw late in the game.
Eric Holt opened the scoring for the seconds by converting a penalty stroke in their match with Farnborough. It was end to end stuff as Farnborough equalised at 1 - 1 and then 2 - 2 after Rob Martin put Southampton ahead. Southampton however produced a final lurry to score two late goals through a Chris Ellis short corner and a Steve Matthews' shot from the top of the D. To finish 4 v 2 final score.
Steve Quinn opened the scoring when he followed up on a shot off the keeper's pads. New member, Piers Nixon added numbers two (shot from the top of the D) and three (short corner) as the threes overcame Basingstoke Brewers 3 - 1.
Here is the match report from the 4th XI game yesterday.
Southampton 5ths started off well against a team in a higher league. After about 10 minutes Fareham found their feet and started the onslaught . Southampton never looked like the team that have been training together and playing well over the last couple of weeks. They were lacking in concentration and playing ability. The only consolation was a Mike Foulds goal 2 minutes from the end of time, from which he gained a green card for his behaviour afterwards. Back to the drawing board and as Southampton's captain Martin Rosher said "We were shocking". Result 6 - 1.
Second game of the season saw an improvement for the 6ths after last weeks drubbing.
Southampton took the lead after 20 minutes of end to and action, during which time Hamble could have
been 2 goals to the good if it wasn't for a good saves by Paul Newman.
With a pass from debutant Neil Hanley, releasing Geoff Ingram who placed the ball into the path
of Luke Knight who guided his shot beyond the keepers reach in the far corner.
Hamble replied on the stroke of half time when Paul Ackerman, on loan from
Southampton netted after some poor Southampton defence by lifting over the keeper.
Further goals from Geoff Ingram and Julian Powis lead Southampton home, eventually wining 3 - 2.
Surbiton had former England player, Ian Jolly playing for their Vets against Southampton Masters and it was he who did the damage, either scoring or creating the four goals by which Surbiton won.
In a match, organised late, Southampton Vets found themselves up against a younger Winchester Vets, who play in the league above. Southampton held the game at 0 - 1 at half time but Winchester capitalised on their youth to finish 4 -1 winners, Pete Terry scoring for Southampton.
The Junior side, the Otters found their opposition, Basingstoke Beavers too big and strong as they suffered a 1- 6 defeat.
On Sunday, Coach Jill Stokes took her under 14 boys to Havant having lost all bar three of last years squad. The senior boys, Ollie Knight, James Please and Robert O'Brien nursed their new playmates towards a comprehensive 8 - 1 victory with new boy Freddie Torlot grabbing five and Ollie Knight wading in with three.
Hampshire Under 16 boys started their championship challenge with mixed results, comfortable disposing of Middlesex before meeting with a well organised Kent side. Kent opened the scoring from a short corner and made it 2 - 0 just after half time. Hampshire worked hard to come back into the game and grabbed one back at a short corner but despite having heavy pressure, late in the game, could not get back on even terms.
Roger Merry