Taking chances means points and this was the only difference between the teams as Southampton met with top of the table Epsom. With both teams vying for dominance, opportunities came and went before a ball fell lose in the Southampton D and Epsom forced it home. Midway through the second half Epsom's striker was allowed to create space, turn and shoot from the top of the D to make a final score of 2 - 0.
The seconds went one down to New Milton midway into the first half and then 2 - 0 down Early in the second. Southampton were guilty of playing Jeckyl and Hyde hockey, going from brilliant (good team work and inter-passing) to mediocre (individuals trying to run the ball passed Milton players). Southampton dominated the last 10 minutes of the first half and 20 minutes of the second half. They had the ball in the net three times only to see their efforts disallowed, one for the most innocuous high ball (no more than a foot).
The threes went to second in the table Aldershot and Farnham and suffered a 6 - 0 defeat. Despite working hard throughout the game the side could not produce the cohesive performance required against high flyers.
The fours travelled to the Isle of Wight with high hopes of a win following their strong performance the previous week. They started strongly taking the game to Vectis. Despite some good attacks they went one down due to a defensive error (or two). The team continued to battle with some good one twos between newcomers Helen Carter and Kath Harley but were unable to penetrate a sound Vectis defence. The second half saw more of the same but unfortunately two further goals were conceded before the final whistle. Despite the result, this was a good team effort with five players new to the team. Result 0 - 3.
With players unavailable the club was forced to withdraw the Fifth team from their match and to field under strength sides.
Chris stokes gave Southampton first team a golden start to their match with Fleet. Chris Ellis receiving the ball wide on the right made the perfect pass to Stokes who, after his first shot being blocked by the keeper, calmly collected the ball and lifted it over the grounded keeper into the roof of the net. Fleet equalised form a short corner when their shot was deflected into the air and over keeper Andy Rowe to make it 1 - 1 after 10 minutes. Southampton controlled the game throughout with short passing hockey, which left Fleet relying on the breakaway. 15 minutes into the second half Fleet broke away and a reverse stick shot saw them take all the points. Good keeping kept Fleet ahead. Result 1 - 2.
The seconds earned another three points towards retaining their new position in the Hants/Surrey league with a 1 - 0 win over struggling Old Cranleighans.
See here for the 3rd XI report.
The fourths went down 3 - 4 to Fareham. Scorers not known.
See here for the 5th XI report.
See here for the 6th XI report.
The Otters beat Old Edwardians 5 - 1. Scorers not known
The Masters finally gained three points with a 2 - 0 win over fellow strugglers Woking. A Dave German undercut saw the ball fly high into the Woking net during the first half. The second coming from Mike Barnfield who finished off after a series of passes had taken the ball from the Southampton defence to the Woking D.
The Vets went down 3 - 0 with a lack lustre display to a well drilled Havant side.
On Sunday the under 19 girls first team met with Andover. A good display by the Andover Keeper kept the score down to 0 - 0 at half time but a team change that took Charlotte Gallagher to centre forward proved to be the catalyst for success. Gallagher collected three, Charlotte Leathem two,Helen Carter two and Anna Greaves, one.
The under 19 seconds went one down after five minutes against Winchester first team and looked as if they would concede many more before the final whistle. However slowly they worked their way into the game and created several good scoring chances in what became a well balanced match. Winchester gained a second when they broke from a short corner and three passes saw a goal scoring chance successfully taken.
Roger Merry