First some good breaking news:- Rebecca Mortimer and Julian Powis are running off to Scotland to get married shortly. Congratulations to you both.
Sadly we are about to lose the services of Lorna Gibson, who is moving to Aberdeen with her fiancé. Lorna spent most of her time with the club playing for the Seconds and guesting for the Firsts. She has helped out on committee and has represented Southampton on the Sports Council and Sports Centre Users Committee. Our thanks and best wishes go with her to Scotland.
Apologies to Owen Chadwick-Williams and James Storr, who were inadvertently left off the list of boys playing for Hampshire under 13s
The Ladies First team finished off their league season with a fine 3 - 1 win over West Witney. With all three forwards, Jo Edmondson, Naomi Dunn and Bex Sharr creating good runs it was inevitable that the Witney defence would eventually be prized opened. Jo opened the scoring after Naomi made an excellent run around the back before centreing the ball for Jo to knock home after 15 minutes. Witney were back on even terms when a left wing attack broke through and the ball slipped in at the near post. Witney are able to play some slick hockey at times this produced some good attacks but the Southampton defence of Linda Dunham (GK), Emma White (with Josh cheering from the sidelines), Sonia Bannatyne Nicky Page and Charlotte Gallagher are well organised and managed to see off all further threats. With Naomi falling foul of a GK challenge it was an opportunity to introduce Anna Skelton into the game. Fitting into a flexible, running forward line takes some adjustment and Anna worked hard to meet the challenge. Southampton again took the lead when Sue Crowley struck from the 'out, stop, through the legs, around the back and shot', short corner. Some fine runs from Alli O'Mell saw further short corners awarded and from one of these Julia Fabrizi scored. Brenda Kimber came on to replace Gallagher in defence and showed no fear in this senior competitive match. It is pleasing that during this season the club has had several younger players step into the Ones to show their potential and the club should be pleased to have such a depth of ability available. Others have included Hollie Nutt, Sophie Mitchell and Kathryn Raw.
The Seconds replayed their league match with Eastleigh and showed that the first result was no fluke with a 4 - 1 victory. An early goal from Anna Skelton set Southampton on their way and put Eastleigh onto their back foot. Some good hockey from both sides led to an open game and more goals. Skelton putting Southampton further ahead before promoted Kirsten Cox's flat stick slap at a short corner found its way home. Eastleigh were back in the game when scored. All this before half time. The second half saw Eastleigh keeper Teresa Montgomery make several good saves but Skelton finished her hat trick following up at a short corner rebound. A difficult start to the season with normal mentor KJ having to take a forced rest with a foot injury, which saw Maggs Ingram step into the breach and take on the team's organisation and management. The team has shown its potential for next season with some sound play in this its last league game.
The Fourths met with a City of Portsmouth side that have not been having the best of seasons and Southampton were not in the mood to make it better. Vets Annie Day, Maria Blake and Lyn Price showing their scoring potential with selection for the Hampshire Vet's tournament coming up. A final result of 4 - 1. Nice to see Eddy Faherty umpiring on the side of the pitch, although it was for Portsmouth.
The First team looked as though their season was over after Wimborne Wayfarers overran them and score two early goals in this Hampshire Trophy semi final and looked comfortable for most of the first half. However a good short corner saw Chris Ellis get Southampton back on track for a half time 1 - 2 scoreline. A never say die second half performance saw Southampton taking advantage of gaps appearing in the Wayfarers defence and midfield. Kelvin Wyatt made the score even when his short corner strike sailed into the bottom corner of the goal. Sweeper Pete Spencer then found the opposition falling around him and he found himself two yards off the opposition's goal line. His inch perfect pass found Chris Stokes at the far post to make the score 3 -2. Danny Roche ensured an appearance at Hampshire day (6th May) at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth with number four from open play. We are hoping to have this team plus the under 14s and 18s and the 3s or 4s at the Finals Day (fingers crossed) so why not book a day out, pack your hampers, stock the port basket and spend a few hours giving the club some support. Direction available on request.
The Seconds were several players down in this their last league match and succumbed to an Oxted side 7 - 0.
The Threes must now rely on a good Open League cup run to earn them some silverware this season. After a good season under new skipper, Mark Day , the team has worked hard and have continuously knocked on the door of promotion but a final defeat at the hands of Winchester Fours (3 - 6) denied them.
The Vets met with Andover and had things under control moving into a 2 - 0 lead through an Andy Church deflection and Bill Stokes shot before Andover replied. Richard Rosher scored their 125 goal of the season (which I am sure will cost him dear) from the centre forward position (was he set up? The question must be asked). And then Ralph Turner made it 4 - 1 at half time. However some interesting substitutions at half time saw several Andover Second team players (still Vets) take the field and the new rested younger legs saw Andover back to 4 - 4. However guest veteran Paul Meacher ( more used to not scoring this season) found himself with the chance to seal the points late in the game for a 5 - 4 win. Captain Keith Wyatt has successfully steered his team into a promotion slot this season and his port bill will no doubt reflect the penalty such an action deserve. Well done lads (euphemistic term) even though you did not mean to. Class will out !!!.
The Six's keeper failed to arrive so Harry, mother of junior Peter Atkinson, donned an ill fitting set of GK kit. Several good first half saves saw the score level at half time but a Salisbury short corner saw the ball flicked high into the roof of the net. Two further goals saw Salisbury home 3 - 0. Thanks Harry. A good season and our thanks go to Martin Hannant for his sound running of this side, only just missing out on promotion in his first season.
THE OTTERS picked up a deserved 5 - 3 victory against Lavant in our final league game of the season . It looked sticky at 3-1 down after five minutes of the second half but a fine passing display thereafter ensured 6th position in the division . Danny Morgan netted his 4th hat trick of the season , his four strikes bringing his league tally up to 26 goals in 16 starts . James Fewtrell notched the other goal after more good work by Danny , continuing his good run of scoring in each of his last four starts. There were other notable displays from Steve Nutt in defence, Simon King sweeping for the first time, and Rob O'Brien in midfield, in a good team performance that brought to an end a satisfactory league season that has seen all members of the team make effective contributions .
Good Luck to those of you off on tour this weekend.
U14 Girls v Havant
Once again some of our team were initially a little daunted by the size of the
opposition, but this mild anxiety was fairly quickly put to rest when
Southampton went one up after about fifteen minutes. Our play was not
generally, however, quite up to the quality that we are capable of, and
although we made several more good attacks the game was very evenly balanced
for the remainder of the first half the game.
In the break Sue Crowley spoke to the girls emphasising the need to pass the
ball around more effectively (in terms of both pace and space), and to start
playing more aggressively.
The result was that we then saw the best period of hockey the team have
played this season. Passing was firm, accurate and much more penetrative, the
girls were far quicker to the ball, and full use was made of the width of the
pitch.
The final result was 4 - 0 to Southampton. Each of the goals was well
executed, and most importantly all were the product of fine team play. The
scorers were Imogen Eldergill-Storm and Jo Slade.
The team was Louise Jeffcoate, Jenny Bennett-Britton, Diana Bowtell, Jenny
Raw, Charlotte Moll, Georgie Torlot, Imogen Eldergill-Storm, Catlyn Adams,
Sarah Bentley, Amy Sheehan, Jo Slade, and Hanna Jenvey.
Well done to all who played. Everyone made a great contribution.
(I have mentioned several times now the fact that our girls occasionally feel
the opposition is a little large. It is probably worth noting that 10 of our
players will still be under 14 next year, and 4 of them will still be Under
14 the following year.)
Roger Merry