The Ladies First team had a storming game against league leaders, Wimbledon, losing 2 - 3. Wimbledon took the lead when they deflected a fee hit from outside the D. Southampton's Alli O'Mell then weaved her way into the D and let lose a rising shot, which gave the visitor's keeper no chance. Wimbledon again went ahead when a short corner was played outside the post for a neat deflection. Southampton were back on even terms when Julia Fabrizi drove a low short corner strike into the Wimbledon goal. A further short corner for Wimbledon resulted in goal number three scored off the leg just outside the post. All this, and only 25 minutes gone. Both sides continued to carve out chances with both sides missing out to good defence work or the paintwork. Southampton creating three good opportunities from creative and well executed short corner drills. Final verdict:- A game that would have been a fair draw but the points unfortunately going to Wimbledon, who stay top of the league.
After the game the umpire was heard to say how did your second team managed to lose 0 - 7 to New Milton. 'They played some excellent hockey and showed good skills'. Having seen the last part of the game I could understand his comment. Unfortunately the game is about scoring goals and on the day New Milton were better at it than us. Plenty to build on for the remaining games.
The Thirds held out well against second in the table, Aldershot and Farnham. In fact they had the better of the early encounters, being in good scoring chances on at least three occasions. Aldershot were only just ahead at half time but eventually they found their touch and forced four second half goals for a final score of 5 - 0.
My apologies but this weeks report will be short and sweet - I've had a busy
day and my brain has gone to sleep already (that's if it was ever really
awake).
Sorry to disappoint you all - Saturday's game against Vectis was not to be
another game of two halves.
KJ took my advice and gave her half time team talk before the game started
with the desired effect.
The 4's started the stronger of the two teams looking as if they meant
business this week - they'd obviously had enough of being second best and
wanting to do all they could to prevent possible relegation. It was
Southampton's game for the first half with Lyn Price taking us into half time
1-0. Perhaps KJ added some more powerful words (or were they threats) because
within a minute or so of the start of the second half Lyn scored her second
(if somewhat dubious - Lyn's own comment) goal. Was this to be a goal fest
for the 4's - unfortunately not but Sarah Russell added our third with a
well-struck shot coming in from left wing. This was the reverse of the
previous game against Vectis and if other results from Saturday go our way,
should see the 4's safe and staying to fight another season in Div 3 - only
time will tell.
Dee Matthews
Jo Slade,12 years old, found herself up against stiff opposition in her debut for the Fifth's match with United Services but she showed she has promise for the future. A 1 - 1 draw with Amy Sheehan scoring. A good point and with Gosport 2s going down to Andover promotion still on the cards.
Southampton gave Mike Irving his first opportunity of a whole league game as goalkeeper. Mike's first save showed he uses his head during the game when a Petersfield shots struck him on his helmet and left him looking at the stars. However after a suitable time he recovered to take his place. Southampton spent long periods controlling the game and creating good opportunities but could not find the net. Petersfield spent more time in defence but found themselves with two good scoring chances and took them both to win 2 - 0.
The seconds withstood an early onslaught from Old Cranleighans before taking the initiative and scoring through Gary Watts. Quite a physical battle ensued with both sides looking for the initiative. OC equalised and then took the lead but Southampton were on even terms with five minutes to go when Steve Perkins popped the ball home. With seconds remaining a late goal from the visitors saw the points going back to Surrey.
The Threes helped their goal difference and promotion chances with a 6 - 1 victory over fourth placed Haslemere and now sit on equal points with Winchester. A tight game in midfield saw little work for goalkeeper Sean Adams, making his third eleven debut. Goals coming from Eric Holt (a stroke showing all the old class, top left), Mark Day (first time from a cross), Stu Magee (two from runs from midfield), Rich Jones and sniffer James Wise. A break away goal from Haslemere midway through the first half gave Adams little chance.
The Fours drafted in three youngsters for their match with Fareham and came home with a creditable 2 - 2 draw.
Southampton 5th XI Vs Woking 4th XI : 0 - 3
Sadly after an excellent run of results and some excellent performances the
5th's were finally beaten by the top of the league. From the offset
Woking seemed like they were going to threaten but failed to shoot on
target. From a pitch play point of view Southampton appeared to dominate
the game and this was evident when Mike Foulds was brought down with only
the keeper left to beat.
A late short corner in the 1st half saw Southampton go into the close 0-1
down. Although this probably wasn't the turning point of the match Woking
seemed defiant after the restart that they were going to score more!! Some
very useful attacking moves and some good hockey wasn't enough for
Southampton to get a return goal and sadly Woking got a 2nd and 3rd both
from short corner routines again.
Southampton did have some respite as Simon Brownlie was brought down with a
blatant foul, which resulted in a yellow card for Woking, but even against
10 men it just seemed impossible to get through their solid midfield.
It's never good to lose but when all the goals come from short corners you
just feel somewhat cheated!!
Editors note. Keeper Colin Munday brought off three excellent saves.
Martin Rosher
The Sixth XI lost 1 - 0 to Salisbury Swifts, who leapfrog them into second place.
The Otters were back on target with a 3 - 1 win over Old Edwardians. Prompted by Pete Williams in midfield and Ed Bannatyne in defence they showed lots of good skills and possession they attacked incessantly creating good chances.
An early morning start (9am) saw the Masters meet local opposition Trojans, who are enjoying a better run in the league this season. A 0 - 3 reversal was the result.
The Vets had age advantage over a Woking side, whose players are all over 50. Southampton went one goal down after a minute but pulled it back were ahead after three. Woking played their part by playing open attacking hockey, which gave openings for Southampton marauding forward line. Half time score 8 - 3. Chris Jones (5), Pete Terry (4), Keith Finch (2), Andy Church (2) and Geoff Danby. The team changes do not appear to have worked and promotion is still a threat for the senior side.
In a friendly under 12s match with Havant Southampton took an early lead but
a late revival saw Havant claiming two goals late in the game.
At end of first third, score was 0-0. Havant had a lot of pressure in our
half, but several very good attacking opportunities came our way.
Everyone felt pleased with the score & confident when going into 2nd period.
At end of 2nd period, we were 1-0 up after some very good play, everyone was
very pleased, but beginning to feel quite tired.
Some good defending and at our end prevented Havant getting any good shots,
and the Southampton possession kept Havant under pressure most of the
period. A well worked goal came from a passing move that beat a very good
goalkeeper. The ball was slipped home over the outstreatched keeper by
Alistair Hunter (I Think !!)
In the 3rd Period, Havant began to get stronger again and with Soton tiring,
Havant managed to score 2 late goals.
I almost brought the game to an end 2 minutes early which would have
resulted in a respectable draw & would have better reflected the
performance. Hindsight is a wonderful thing !!
Final Score 1-2 to Havant.
Everyone played well.
Particularly pleasing was the passing from the defence, through the midfield
and on, that resulted in the unleashing of the two wingers, Francis (RW) &
Alistair (LW) who both were able to penetrate the opposition defence time
after time.
Also Alex Richardson allowed play to be switched from left to right very
effectively.
The absence of both full backs (Sam & Oliver) was compensated by dropping
Tim into RB position & Charlie Butterworth into a full back position. This
worked extremely well & made us very much stronger.
All in all, a very good showing & the boys should be very proud of their
achievements. David Falkner came across & complemented the team upon their
performance.
The Under 16 boys went down 2 - 0 to a young Fareham side.
The mixed beat Wareham 3 - 0 against the run of play
Roger Merry