The ladies First team continued their good start to the season with a 1 - 0 win over Maidenhead. Always a difficult fixture, Maidenhead provide a busy opposition, never giving players time to settle on the ball. Southampton created several good scoring chances early in the game and eventually scored when Julia Fabrizi converted a penalty corner after Bex Sharr had been stick tackled on a run into the D. In the second half Maidenhead pushed additional players forward making the Southampton defence (Dunham, Jarman, White, Bannatyne, Page and Gallagher work extremely hard to keep a clean sheet. Charlotte Gallagher appearing from nowhere on one occasion to sweep the ball off the line. Southampton should have had a penalty stroke midway through the second half when Jo Edmondson looked to have had her stick taken by the keeper but the umpire was unsighted and play continued. This result keeps Southampton in third slot in South League Division one.
It was non league for the remainder of the club sides.
Teenagers Beth Davies and Kathryn Raw both got on the score sheet for the twos but were on the wrong end on a 5 - 2 scoreline against Worthing First eleven.
Southampton saw some revenge as Worthing seconds fell to the Third team 6 - 0. Goals coming from Sarah Deighton [2], Liz Walker [2], Kirsten Cox and Annie Day.
The Fifths were short of a goal keeper and it fell to Danielle Stanton to don the pads and helmet in their match with Chichester. Danielle made several good saves early in the game but became increasingly more idle as Southampton took the initiative and attacked the Chi' goal with great success scoring 6 to Chi's 2. Maria Blake hatrick, 2 goals from Mary Aicken & Karina Christiansen 1 goal were the other scorers.
The First team met with Haslemere, who sit three places above them in the league. Opening honours went to Haslemere when they capitalised on loose marking to knock the ball home. Southampton patiently moved the ball about, working on holding possession until an opening appeared. Eventually the ball moved to Kelvin Wyatt who took on the keeper before slipping to Chris Stokes to slap home from five yards. Southampton continued to look to create scoring chances but the game became locked in a midfield battle and ended all square at 1 - 1.
The seconds also met with Haslemere but fell to a side full of experience. The first half was balanced with Haslemere having a 2 - 1 advantage at half time. A poor second half display by Southampton along with being reduced to 10 players following a temporary suspension allowed Haslemere to rattle in four to Southampton's two to give a final score of 6 - 3 to Haslemere. Scorers for Southampton were John Freckleton [2] and Pete Graham.
The fourths were on the wrong end of a 6 - 1 scorline in their match with Winchester fives. Teenager Tim Ashworth netting for Southampton.
The Fifths met with Southsea Fours. Both sides started with determination
and played neat hockey, both teams had their chances but could not manage the
final touch. However Southampton came good in the last ten minutes and scored
all the goals.
The first came from good play from Mike Foulds at the top of the 'D' for Martin
Rosher to put away. The second came from 'inform' Mike Foulds himself and the
third came from a mix up from Southsea, when the ball came off of their keeper
for Simon Brownlie to score. Final score 3 - 0.
The Otters made short measure of Portsmouth University who's leaky defence allowed the talented youngsters to make the most of their opportunities. Goals coming from Danny Morgan [3], Rob O'Brien [2] and Ollie Knight, Final score 6 - 0.
The Sixth eleven had Luke Knight's deft touch on a long hit for their first goal and then his timely presence at the far post for their second as they overcame Poole 2 - 1.
The Masters came across an in form Havant side full of younger players. Southampton fell behind to a penalty stroke midway into the first half and then to a deflection of a hit into the D. The game became locked in the midfield for some time before Havant added three more. Paul Meacher getting Southampton's consolation goal from a short corner strike. Final score 1 - 5.
The Vets had skipper Keith Wyatt to thank for keeping them on track in their match with Newbury making a penalty save to keep Southampton ahead. Chris Jones opened before Andy Church slammed home a shot from the top of the D. Jones and Church added two more apiece before the end of the game. The other goal came from Bill Gowman. Final score 7 - 3, giving Southampton their first league points of the season.
On Sunday the men's first team played their first match in the National Vase competition, meeting Amersham away in Hertfordshire. Chris Ellis opened the scoring before Amersham came back into it. Peter Spencer sealed the game for Southampton with a late winner for a 2 - 1 scoreline.
In an under 16 match with Havant it was a story of missed opportunities and good goal keeping which gave the points to Havant. Havant took the lead twice with Southampton drawing level on both occasions to make a half time score of 2 - 2. Southampton pressurised in the second half with Havant relying on breaking quickly, a tactic which proved fruitful as they netted twice to win 2 - 4. Goals coming from Danny Morgan.
Our Eastleigh correspondent is pleased to report a convincing away win by Southampton Boys u12's against the auld enemy Trojans 6-1. Southampton got off to an unfortunate start when regular goalkeeper Stuart Bannatyne became unwell and was unable to start and the team conceded an early goal in the first period.… However it was truly a 'game of 2 halves' and the team went on to put increasing pressure on their opponents through some hard work and good passing and tackling particularly in the midfield by senior pro Alex Richardson and his inside forwards Alastair Hunter and Gajan Mahadavan.
It is difficult to single out individuals for mention in such a good team performance but mention must be made of '2 goal hero' Andrew Gibbs who opened the scoring, Chris Molloy who came on in the last ten minutes as right winger to score 2 great goals after running on to through passes, and David Vella who took over in goal and made some tremendous saves to carry the team through.
The team looks forward to its first home fixture against Gillingham on Sunday 11th November against Gillingham.
The under 14 girls second team played a friendly with Salisbury and, thanks to a Jenny Raw goal at a short corner, won 1 - 0. The girls showed some good team work and great promise for the future.
Roger Merry