The local derby between Southampton and Havant nowadays is proving to be a well-balanced, hard affair. This match was no different. With both sides looking for victory Havant took the early initiative when awarded a penalty after 5 minutes. England under 18, Sophie Mills stepped up and placed the ball low into the corner. Keeper Linda Dunham managed to get a touch but the ball squeezed into the net. Havant, boosted by this breakthrough, surged forward continuously for twenty minutes looking to build on the lead. Southampton's defence of Sonia Bannatyne, Emma White, Nicky Page and Fiona Jarman made every tackle count, forcing the ball out of the D. Linda Dunham making two crucial saves. A positional change brought Charlotte Gallagher into defence and moved Page into midfield, giving hard working Naomi Dunn a chance to recover. Slowly the game changed, with Southampton pushing forward and starting to create chances at the other end. Still one down at half time, Southampton started the second half with three strikers and this proved fruitful. A Julia Fabrizi cross found Bex Sharr in front of goal with only the keeper to beat. Sharr placed her shot calmly passed the Havant keeper. Two minutes Naomi Dunn was able to hit a first time shot from a Fiona Jarman cross. Havant sent two strikers high, looking for the equaliser but rarely found the right pass. Southampton killed the game with two minutes to go when Sue Crowley crossed for Sharr to slap home for a well earned 3 - 1 victory.
The seconds went 2 - 0 down to Winchester ones before Nicky Le Bas was able to find the net for a final score of 2 - 1.
The Thirds took the lead in this game with Eastleigh through Beth Davies but leaked a late goal to finish with a 1 - 1 draw. Useful points against a side 4 places ahead of them in the league.
See here for the 4th XI match report.
The Fives had a good win over Romsey threes with Laura Please, Amy Sheehan, Mary Aiken and Sue Tinson scoring. This keeps them in contention for a promotion place behind Havant and Gosport.
The firsts were at full throttle in their match with Southampton University leading 3 - 1 with 20 minutes to go when the wind starting gusting and blew over the goal. The umpires decided to abandon the game. Southampton had taken the lead through Neil Hanley who hit Chris Ellis's free hit first time to beat the keeper. Kelvin Wyatt then went one to one with the keeper before slipping the ball home. Neil Hanley then looked to have scored his second as the ball was about to cross the line but up popped Chris Stokes to help it over the last few inches.
London Edwardians had former Southampton and local boy, Tim Wotton playing in this game against Southampton seconds. Despite a good performance by keeper and skipper, Paul Howarth Southampton went down 3 - 0.
The threes had no Saturday game but met with Isle of Wight first team in the Hampshire Open league cup. A good 3 - 0 win saw Southampton through to the next round. Matt Southgate netting in the first half, with Mark Day and ??? scoring in the second.
The fours overcame Basingstoke 3 - 1 with goals coming from James Wise, Mark Day and Ed Thorn (PS).
See here for the 6th XI match report.
The Otters went down 1 - 2 to Bournemouth. Danny Morgan getting the Southampton goal.
The Masters had a difficult game, away to second in the table, Havant. Working hard to close down the Havant playmakers Southampton kept the score at 0 - 0 until about 10 minutes from time. A late run down the right and around the back gave Havant the opportunity to release a strong cross, which was met on the near post and deflected home. Five minutes later a short corner goal made for a Havant 2 - 0 victory.
The Vets kept up their high scoring run with a 5 - 1 over local rivals Trojans. A Ralph Turner brace saw Southampton ahead but a Trojan's short corner strike found its way home. A couple by Pete Terry and a short corner by Richard Rosher made for a final score of 5 - 1.
After an exhilarating performance on Saturday the ladies First were back on the ground after exiting the Hampshire cup before the final for the first time for several years. Meeting Basingstoke from the South second division Southampton went one down after five minutes from a short corner and then two down from a break away goal from one of 'Stokes quick young forwards. Southampton exerted continuous pressure for most of the game and an Alli O'Mell short corner goal had Southampton back into the game for a half time score of 1- 2. A second short corner goal moved 'Stoke to three and an open play goal, again from a break to a 4 - 1 lead. Southampton continued to attack and saw some success when Sue Crowley netted five minutes from time. Despite losing Southampton created enough opportunities to score and on another day would have been comfortable winners, but that is the cup.
The under 19 girls third team had a good 5 - 0 win over Romsey.
The Under 14 boys had a balanced first half with Trojans, moving to a 2 - 1 lead at half time. Some half time reorganisation and a good team talk stimulated the Southampton youngsters and they went on to win 8 - 2. Ollie Knight (3), Sam Hiscock (2), David Stokes (2) and Will Legge.
Good news on the Girls County under 15s beating Dorset 4 - 1 with Southampton's Kirsten Cox netting two, City of Portsmouth pair, Ashley Thakore and Kate Morgan getting one each.
The under 14s (containing several Southampton girls) deserved more but went down by the odd goal to Dorset.
Roger Merry