Southampton returned to their winning ways this weekend when they met Horsham in the South league division one. The first half of the game was played at an electric pace with Southampton holding the initiative, controlling in midfield and incisively attacking through their forwards. However possession is now always reflected in goals and the Horsham defence held strong, clearing several times from the goal line. The break through eventually came in the 21st minute when a Julia Fabrizi shot from a short corner strike rebounded to Ail Omell who slotted home to put Southampton ahead. Southampton started the second half in similar fashion and from a Sue Crowley run and cross Bex Sharr slapped home first time from close range. Horsham then brought the game to Southampton pushing additional players into the mid field and created several good scoring chances but these were seen off by the defensive pack of Fiona Jarman, Nicky Page, Emma White, Sonia Bann! atyne and keeper Linda Dunham. Horsham eventually netted from a short corner scramble for a final score of 2-1. This result moves Southampton into third spot in the league.
The seconds worked hard to secure a point away to Winchester 1s. Winchester moved to 2 - 0 lead a half time before teenager Beth Davies popped up in front of the keeper and stole the ball from her feet and slipped it into the net. Winchester then moved 3 - 1 ahead before Nicky Le Bas made it 3 - 2. Winchester then restored their two goal advantage. Skipper Maggs Ingram reflected the sides determination when she shot and scored from the top of the D. With the game slipping away Beth Davies slapped in a cross from short range to make a final score of 4 - 4.
The Thirds went one up against Eastleigh first team through Becky Thornton but Eastleigh struck back twice to move to 2 - 1 before new girl Karen Robinson made it 2 - 2 just before half time. The game looked to be a stalemate before Eastleigh secured the points 5 minutes from time.
Winchester 2s provided an onslaught to the Southampton Fourth team goal for most of the first half but only managed a 2 goal half time lead. Unfortunately second half pressure told and Winchester scored four second to give a final score of 6 - 0.
Karina Christiansen had a welcome return to the Fives as she opened the scoring against Romsey early in the game. With a match moving from end to end the final score of 4 - 4 was always the likely outcome. Southampton other goals coming from Mary Aicken and goal keeper turner striker Sandy Lewis (2).
The first team eventually saw reward for their attacking style of Hockey. Despite going a goal down early in the game when a cross field pass was intercepted and the resultant one on one saw Southampton University take the lead. This was quickly cancelled out when a Pete Spencer cross at a short corner was neatly finished by Chris Stokes. Pete Spencer then started and finished goal number two, playing a one two with Allie Brown before slotting home. Number three came when Bryn Webber found Simon Evatt who crashed the ball home. University then found themselves reduced to eight players following a bad tackle and an altercation with the umpires. Southampton made the most of this to move further ahead through Kelvin Wyatt. The fight had gone from the University when Stokes made a fine individual run to finish the score at 5 - 1.
The seconds continued their league programme with a match against London Edwardians.
Southampton started with a defensive format of 4-4-2 looking to hold the midfield.
However a penalty was awarded for feet on the line and, despite Paul Howarth's efforts
(got a pad to it) Edwardians moved ahead after 25 minutes.
Looking for ways to penetrate the Edwardians defence Southampton moved to a 3-1-3-3
formation and created some opportunities. Edwardians continued to exert pressure and
moved to take a two the three goal lead. Late in the game Southampton's Richard Watts
lobbed the keeper only to see his effort hit the bar.
Final score 3-0.
The Thirds maintained their place in the open league cup as they disposed of Woking 4 - 2. Goals coming from James Wise (2), Robin Martin and Matt Southgate.
Some revenge was wreaked by Southampton 4s for the mauling given to the sixth eleven by Fareham. Ed Thorn and Colin Langridge grabbed a brace each as Southampton moved to the next round of the cup competition. Final score Southampton 4 - Fareham 1.
The Otters found an experienced Havant side difficult to wear down in this cup game. The Southampton juniors took the lead when Alex Tong converted a penalty stroke but Havant struck back and then defended well against the youngsters' continuous attack. A further penalty stroke was saved and the game looked to be going into extra time when James Fewtrell grabbed a slim chance and reverse sticked a shot in from close range one minute from time.
Southampton 5ths started this friendly game top of the league from the previous weeks
play. This gave them the positive attitude they needed to face Yateley.
Southampton came out strong, fighting for every ball and it wasn't long before Si
Brownlie put away his first goal. Southampton dominated the first half and through a Si
Brownlie strike, made it 0 - 2 at the end of the first half.
The second half was much the same, and Yateley had to defend hard to stop Southampton from
scoring. This paid off for Yateley and they scored against the run of play.
Southampton 5ths dug in a produced some excellent hockey. A good Mark Cozens cross to
Andy Turner then a pass to allow Mike Foulds to score another for the 5ths. Final score
3 - 1.
The Sixth eleven fell in their cup match with a Fareham side sporting four very experienced players. The first half was nip and tuck and looked set for a good second half with the score at 2 - 2 on the half time whistle. Fareham however found the goal scoring touch and found the net seven times to Southampton one in the last 35 minutes. Final score 3 - 9 with Luke Knight scoring for Southampton.
The Masters made their annual pilgrimage to East Grinstead where they once against gained their martyrdom by being sacrificed on the alter of hockey losing 9 - 1. Although I understand that the result was not a true reflection of the game. Chris Crane getting Southampton's goal.
Vets no result.
It was a busy weekend with three under 19 and two under 14 girls matches and under 14 and 18 boys games arranged. Unfortunately the under 19 second team girls match was postponed owing to the opposition being unable to raise a full team.
The under 19 girls first team met with Havant. Havant looked the more likely to succeed in the early stages of the game and went one up. Southampton were back on even terms but two quick goals gave the home team a 3 - 1 lead. Playing downhill in the second half Southampton took the initiative and were quickly back on even terms and could have moved ahead apart from a sterling performance by the Havant sweeper and keeper. Final score 3 - 3 with Beth Davies (to follow) and scoring.
The third team met with eight Gosport players and lent them players. Gosport elected to move to division two this year as they were expecting a new crop of youngsters but this side contained many of their previous first division side. Southampton youngsters (mostly under 16) worked hard to thwart the opposition and only lost by the odd goal in five (3-2).
Many of the under 14 'A' and B girl sides played their first eleven a side match on a full sized astro and found the experience enjoyable. The A side beating Yateley 5 - 0 with Amy Sheehan (3) and Jilly Hurden (2) scoring. The B team (mostly under 12s) played New Milton who looked big and fierce in comparison. Milton attacked incessantly for most of the first half but sweeper Kitty Dwyer and Keeper Katherine Woolford ably supported by most of the team kept the sheet clean. An early break in the second half by Stephanie Adams saw Southampton take and then retain the lead.
The under 14 boys were without their normal keeper and sought the services of Sam Meacher for this match with Winchester. With James Please organising the defence and Rob O'Brien orchestrating the midfield Winchester were able to penetrate only on rare occasions but when necessary Sam was up to the challenge. A David Stokes hat trick supported by Ollie Knight (2), James Please and Freddie Torlot produced a final score of 7 - 1.
The under 18s went one better as they gained victory over Basingstoke, 8 - 1. Again it
was the Stokes family getting on the score sheet, this time Chris netted five with Allie Brown,
Mike Woods and Jasdeep Singh taking their chances.
Both Chris and David are thankful to their team mates for all the background work that
makes their goal scoring such a regular event.
Roger Merry