Southampton made a promising start to this match, away to Sunbury, but failed to capitalise on early opportunities. Sunbury took the lead from a short corner just before half time, dipping the ball passed the Southampton defence. Sunbury's confidence was high after the break and they produced an array of good individual and team skills to penetrate the Southampton defence. Southampton needed to rely on the counter punch to create scoring opportunities and were rewarded with several short corners but failed to convert one into a goal. Late in the game a rising shot felled Southampton skipper Nicky Page and somehow the umpire awarded Sunbury a short corner from which the scored to go 2 up. They added a further goal in the dying seconds to win 3 - 0.
Southampton seconds eventually found their goal scoring touch when they routed Fleet 10 - 0. Leading 4 - 0 at half time Southampton went on to collect 6 second half opportunities. Goals from Maggs Ingram 3, Beth Davies 3, Nicky Le Bas 2, Sophie Mitchell 1, Anna Skelton 1.
The Third team were however on the wrong end of a 2 - 6 scoreline when they met with New Milton. Milton went three up in the first half with three short corner strikes. Southampton looked to be back in the game when Kirsten Cox converted a short corner. Fate unfortunately can be cruel and Milton move three ahead again when a straight shot hit a defenders foot and sailed over the keeper's head. Cox again brought Southampton back when she struck in open play. It was New Milton's day however adding two more before the end.
The ladies fours met Hamble Old Girls in what always promised to be an interesting game. We were not to be disappointed. With (Karen Jordan) KJ making a second very welcome appearance for the 4's after being out for most of the season Southampton went on the attack from the start. Not to be outdone a strong, physical Hamble side retaliated but to no avail. Southampton went into half time one goal up (right on the whistle) thanks to the persistent Maria Blake. It was always on the cards that Hamble would not give up and they started the second half strongly with a well worked and strongly struck short corner (aided every so slightly by a KJ foot although the ball was always going to cross the line between the uprights). Southampton stuck to the task in hand and went ahead again thanks to substitute Charlotte Leathem's goal. With confidence building all the time and looking forward to only their second three points this season, Southampton were thwarted in the dying ! seconds by a scrambled and somewhat contentious second goal from Hamble. Never mind Southampton played well and deserved the point although we would obviously have liked a full three points. Final score 2 - 2.
In the top of the table clash Southampton Fifth team was pipped by table topping Havant 1 - 0 on the water based pitch. Southampton exerted good pressure late in the game and would have equalised but for some resolute Havant defending.
With Portsmouth University sitting at the foot of the table and leaking goals this should have been a simple victory for the first team. Southampton took the early initiative through Chris Ellis and Chris Stokes before Portsmouth struck back. Missed opportunities could have cost Southampton dearly but for a fantastic solo effort from Rowan who, collecting the ball outside the D drifted passed three defenders before unleashing a shot high into the net. Final score 3 - 1.
In this match, Old Mid Whitgiftians started the faster but their efforts we readily stopped
by the Southampton defence, who worked frantically, blocking out all good scoring chances.
With Old Mid Whitgiftians adopting the tactic of a single striker up front for most of the
first half, confusion arose in the Southampton defence.
Half time talks produced improvement in both teams and provided for a better all round second
half performance. With both sides raising their games Southampton were exceedingly lucky when
Old Mid Whitgiftians spooned the ball over the bar when faced with an open goal from 3 metres.
Old Mid Whitgiftians were awarded a questionable penalty flick but keeper Paul Howarth kept
Southampton in the game with a superb save. This save spurred Southampton who came back with
a vengeance and scored with a goal from Gary Watts from a well worked short corner.
Southampton hung on for a scraped 1-0 win.
Threes - Andover cancelled.
See the match report for the 4ths here.
See the match report for the 5ths here.
The sixth eleven earned a valuable point against a united Services third team who sit high in the league. Final score 2 - 2.
The Masters looked like continuing their recent run of bad form when they met with highly placed Guildford and went 1 - 3 down but a resolute performance saw them gaining a point with two late goals. Scorers were Paul Eastwood (2) and Paul Meacher.
The Vets were comfortable winners over Woking with a 5 - 0 score line. With Mohinder Kenth getting numbers 1 & 5, Bill Stokes 2 & 3 and Andy Church squeezing in number 4.
On Sunday 36 teams representing 250+ boys and girls met for the annual MINIs hockey tournament. Clubs from as far a field as Reading (Berkshire), Salisbury (Wiltshire) and Gillingham (Dorset) joined Hampshire sides in demonstrating the high quality of junior hockey available in the South. Southampton provided twenty junior umpires and administrators for the event and our thanks are given to these and adults who gave their time freely to help out.
In an under 14 girls match with Salisbury, Southampton went down 5 - 0. Salisbury fielded an older bigger team than Southampton and dominated much of the game. The Southampton youngsters however were not totally overawed by their opposition giving as good as they got. Special mention goes to Kitty Dwyer who donned the goal keeping pads in place of Emma Pake, who was unwell. Kitty made several good saves and was seen diving about all over the place.
Freddie Torlot found himself on target for the under 14 first team snatching a hat trick against Fareham. Not to out done James Please [2], David Stokes, Rob O'Brien and Will Legge helped to finish the scoreline at 8 - 1. Fareham working hard to gain a consolation goal late in the game
Hamble under 14 first team dominated their match with Southampton under 14 second team winning 5 - 0. Manager Pete Defty was not too down trodden seeing many good things in the side of mainly 11 & 12 year olds.
Roger Merry