Wood you believe it – Andy scores twice in a minute!
QK END THE YEAR ON CLOUD NINE CHAMPIONSHIP-chasing QK Southampton ended 2009 with a ninth
successive league victory after their first-half display powered them to a 4-1 home win against Lyndhurst. Lyndhurst
keeper Matt Sturgess was the star of the first-half show with a string of fine saves – the pick being a superb diving
stop to deny Shane Flooks and then a quite brilliant tip-over from a 30-yard free kick from Robbie Abbott.

28/12/2009

QK SOUTHAMPTON 4
LYNDHURST 1
By Derek Hawkins reporting from Five Acres
 
LEFT: QK’s Andy Wood loses this game of head tennis with Lyndhurst’s Dave Tyrrell. RIGHT: Lyndhurst’s Damien Penfold attempts to put the block on Nathan Golden.
The dam was finally breached on 24 minutes, Abbott’s penetrating far post free-kick was finally forced home at the second attempt by Ben PENFOLD. Flooks rattled the inside of the post ten minutes later before QK struck with three goals in as many minutes just before half time. On 40 minutes, Andy WOOD smashed home the loose ball after Flooks had seen his effort cleared off the line and, 60 seconds later, Penfold’s shot from Flooks’ cross hit the upright but WOOD was in the right place to crash the ball into the net.
Two minutes later, Wood’s long throw-in to the near post caused confusion and Nathan GOLDEN gleefully made it 4-0.
The second half was a complete reversal of the first with a rejuvenated Lyndhurst dominating long spells of the match and, had chances been taken, the Foresters might had taken something tangible from the game.
Gary Gotts forced two great saves from QK keeper Josh Evans-Hunt and Marc Price sent a header over the top when well-placed – all in the opening 15 minutes of the half. Lyndhurst did pull one back in somewhat bizarre fashion on 74 minutes when an attempted clearance hit Kevin CUTTER and ricocheted into the net.
 
Waters nets again for Common – but it’s not Simon!
MAGEE AND WATERS SECURE THREE POINTS
FLEETLANDS 2
AFC STONEHAM 1
Ian Steele reporting from Main Road
 
THIS morning's fixture was in doubt due to a combination of frost and water logging but excellent work by Eric Laversuch and Trevor Flood ensured that the referee's inspection was a formality and the game started promptly at 11.00am. This top three clash saw Stoneham start the brighter with their forwards chasing down some excellent long ball but Ben Goble was defiant and Common's defence resolute.

As the game settled so we saw a classic attack-and-counter-attack scenario with Common playing the football to the edge of Stoneham's 18-yard box before the move broke down, was halted or the final ball wasted to set up a visitors counter attack but chances were few and far between. Some twenty-five minutes in and Common lost the services of their skipper Lee Smith through injury and he was replaced by Josh Carey.

During the latter stages of the first period the game entered a 'feisty' stage when both sets of players started bleating about various decisions - either given or not given - and football took a back seat for a while. Common fell behind after some 40-minutes when another swift AFC raid produced indecision in the Common ranks and Mark GARDNER pounced to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break.

Each manager settled their players during the break and the second period saw both teams produce some attractive football but, again, goalkeepers saved the day - particularly Goble who had to make two tremendous one-on-one blocks to stop the hosts falling two goals behind. Indeed Common's custodian had an outstanding game - particularly after the break when he was called upon to make some crucial saves.

The home side were primarily bossing the second period with the massive Lloyd Jenvey and Scott Waters hugely prominent in midfield and, after some sixty-minutes, Dean Higgins broke into the visitors box and was brought down by a defender... penalty!!

The spot kick was taken by Jordy Parker but his weak effort was well-saved although Liam MAGEE saved the day by converting the rebound from the goalkeeper.

A blistering Rich Magee shot hit the crossbar, Liam Magee was a 'thorn in the side' all afternoon and it was his contribution, with critical assistance from the outstanding Higgins, that saw a cross-shot deflected and onto the head of Scott WATERS (no, not Simon) who buried the ball in the back of our visitors' net. Overall we certainly had some defending to do but a collective effort reaped what was, in the end, deserved spoil.
 
 
DEBUTANT DAUNTER MAKES HIS POINT

 WINCHESTER CASTLE 1
OVERTON UNITED 1
By Mike Crowfoot at the Sports Ground
BOTH teams had important players missing for this Bank Holiday fixture which could have finished five each but for some poor finishing by both teams in this entertaining game on a very heavy pitch.
Castle had an early penalty appeal turned down and John Wanless should have given them the lead on 12 minutes but shot wide.
Castle did take the lead on 25 minutes when a Darren Nicholson corner was flicked on by Ross Brimfield and new-signing Simon DAUNTER shot low into the net.
Wanless had a chance to increase the lead two minutes later as he beat Overton keeper Keith Bailey to Daunter’s cross but his looped header landed on the roof of the net. Overton then came into the game and Olly Ambrose got in behind the Castle defence and pulled the ball back to Ali Brown who shot wide from 10 yards.
On 35 minutes, Overton had a slice of luck as BROWN’S cross drifted over Castle keeper Rob Sherman and into the net for the equaliser. As half time approached Bailey saved at the foot of the post from Matt Boast and them Brimfield shot wide when well placed and, on the stroke of half time, Ambrose shot into the side netting for Overton.
The second half saw Overton control periods of play but Castle had plenty of chances as well. Overton substitute Aaron Cochrane had a shot from 30 yards which beat Sherman but curled just wide and then Sherman turned a dangerous inswinging corner onto the bar and it was cleared.
Castle should have retaken the lead as Daunter and Brimfield exchanged passes which left Brimfield with only Bailey to beat but he shot wide from 10 yards. Matt Storey then played Daunter in on goal but his shot was blocked and the rebound was hit at goal by Wanless but somehow Bailey managed to deflect the ball away for a corner.
Overton then nearly took the lead from a swift counter attack but Cochrane’s chip over Sherman was just wide.
As time ran out Castle had their final chance to win the game as Daunter beat two players but his angled shot was turned onto the post by Bailey and right on full time Overton had a goal ruled out for offside to produce the draw which both teams deserved.
 
UP AND DOWN PAULSGROVE

 PAULSGROVE 2
HAMBLE CLUB 2
 By Roger Allen at Marsden Road
 
YOU are guaranteed a roller coaster ride when watching Paulsgrove and this game was typical of their season. For the first half hour they were completely dominant playing great football and should have been out of sight. In the opening two minutes Tony Bichard was just over from a corner and Dave Harding shot wide when well placed.
 
LEFT: Paulsgrove’s Aiden Hatton (red) heads over the bar after Hamble keeper Dan Wooldriver fails to cut out a cross. RIGHT: Liam Horsted (red) on another dangerous run for Paulsgrove.
For all their dominance all Paulsgrove had to show was a Dave Harding goal after 23 minutes. Louie Tee picked up a long clearance and fed HARDING who scored from the edge of the penalty area. After the goal Hamble Club came more into the game but their finishing was less than convincing. With six minutes to go before half time Paulsgrove got a deserved second and what a good goal it was. Johnny Cripps played the telling ball to Matt HARFIELD coming in from the right and he finished well.
The second half saw the other side of Paulsgrove as they made hard work of finishing Hamble off. Liam Horsted was unlucky to strike a post after 55 minutes but frustrations in equal measures with the referee, his assistant and their opponents began to surface.
The pivotal moment in the game came on 68 minutes when Paulsgrove captain, Paul Barton, was sent for an early bath for a poor tackle. Almost immediately Hamble Club pulled a goal back. Pete DAVIES had been introduced at half time to lead the attack and he converted a ball which had bobbled around the Paulsgrove box without being cleared. Two minutes later Hamble were level. Davies headed on a corner and Mitchell GOLDRICK headed home from close range. Neither side were able to force the victory but in the final minute Harfield was forced to head a corner off his own goal line from a Hamble corner.
 
Knight at the double to rescue Otters
 
OTTERS SHADE SEVEN-GOAL THRILLER

OTTERBOURNE 4
WINCHESTER CASTLE 3
Steve Harrod reports from Oakwood Park
 
THIS was Otters’ first game for two weeks although you wouldn’t have thought so as they totally dominated the opening stages but couldn’t put the ball in the net! Football’s a funny old game and Castle took the lead totally against the run of play when they punted a hopeful ball up the left from our corner, a moment of indecision allowed the Castle forward to go by the defender with ease and then square for John WANLESS to finish low in the bottom corner.
Again sustained Otterbourne pressure but no clear cut chances and Castle got a second from a good move from their right midfielder who managed to get free, cross into the box which our defence missed and allowed WANLESS to score again.
We huffed and puffed but could not blow the Castle defence down! Half time came and I asked for us to be patient as we had all the game and our good play could still result in a win for us.
We were on top again at the start of the half and our good play allowed Aaron MILNE to slip his defender and slip it under the advancing keeper. Gareth Taylor came of due to a chest infection and Youseff replaced him.
Again we went forward and Castle were on the ropes, a good ball into the middle saw Andy KERR put the defender under pressure and nod the ball past his keeper to make it two all.
But the Otters defence was still in a Christmas mood and allowed them to go in front from a direct ball out to the left and rather than step up we played them on side, they got the cross in and Liam NANCHOLAS finished well from the right.
This team doesn’t know when it’s beaten, a cross from Youseff saw Chris Knight head firmly at goal but the keeper pulled off a fantastic save. Knight was not to be denied and pulled us level after some good work by Milne allowed KNIGHT to place it wide of the keeper to draw us level.
We forced corner after corner and a delivery from Youseff saw Cole crash a volley towards goal which somehow saw the keeper palm it over then John Jannaway was denied with a very similar drive. Youseff was injured in making sure Daunter for Castle couldn’t get his shot away so Tilly came on for the last ten minutes. Liam Davies who was causing problems all day for the Castle defence found Milne wide on the right, he jinked past a few defenders and with Knight and Tilly screaming for it he went for goal himself and his shot was well blocked. Into injury time Knight who had been moved out to the wing was fed the ball by Smyth after a monster challenge in the middle, he went past two defenders and absolutely smashed the ball past the keeper to put us 4 – 3 up! Another couple of minutes were played and we ran out the winners in a very entertaining game.

19/12/2009

PEHPF League Cup Quarter Finals
CHURMS PENALTY SEES STUDENTS THROUGH
 
TEAM SOLENT 1
LIPHOOK UNITED 0

 By Roger Allen reporting from Hardmoor 

THE early exchanges were even as players explored the art of the possible on a pitch which still showed signs of the overnight frost. 
However the first clear chance led to the only goal of the game after nine minutes. A powerful shot by Ben Kneller could only be beaten out by Liphook keeper Matt Collins, and, as he went to claim the ball, he only succeeded in bringing down Leo Churms who stepped up to take the penalty and scored easily. Liphook, playing down the slope, took control of the game but with the Students’ defence adopting a principle of keeping it simple, there were few threats on  Ocago Oteri’s goal.
Leo Churms of Team Solent takes on Dan Harding of Liphook United in Saturday's cup tie.
It was Leo's penalty after nine minutes that separated the two sides. 		A Team Solent chance trickles wide with Liphook keeper Matt Collins and Team Solent’s River Hately-Richards both beaten.
Another Liphook attack is thwarted by the Students.

Both sides failed to put together much in the way of constructive football and the game became a dour midfield battle right through to half time. Liphook continued to dominate at the start of the second half but, once again they found it difficult to work clear efforts on goal. 
The teams’ more constructive players, Jamie Barnet for Solent and Dominic Cope for Liphook, were both finding it difficult to impose their usual control on midfield and it was left to the tough tacking Costa Sourmenidis to claim the man of the match tag.
Solent had a late flourish as substitute, Steve Batton, hit the angle of post and bar with a cross shot and Churms and Hately-Richards both had shots pushed wide by Matt Collins. One final push by Liphook came to nothing and  the Students progress to the semi finals.
PEHPF League Cup Quarter Finals
QK STILL UP FOUR IT!
  
QK SOUTHAMPTON 2
FLEETLANDS 1

Ken Babey reports from Lordshill Recreation Ground


QK Southampton’s assault on all four trophies – League Championship plus League, Southampton Senior and Hampshire Intermediate Cups continued as they secured their place in the PEHPL Cup semi-finals with a battling 2-1 victory over FLEETLANDS .
After some discussion about the pitch it was decided between the two clubs and the referee that it was playable. With the amount of fire these two sides had they would have melted the heaviest of frost. FLEETLANDS started the brighter of the two sides and forced QK on to a back foot but the home side soaked up all the pressure and were rewarded after 10 minutes when a long ball was met by Ben Penfold who squared the ball past the reach of the keeper to be met by new signing Shane FLOOKS  who struck a sweet ball past the keeper to score on his debut.
Common again made all the play and harried the QK defence relentlessly coming close on a couple of occasions but in a repeat of the first goal their push forward proved to be their undoing. QK played the ball out from their half and a through ball was met by Flooks who returned a favour and crossed the ball for PENFOLD  to meet - he calmly placed the ball past the Common keeper.
This stirred FLEETLANDS into more action and they were rewarded in the 43rd minute when Liam MAGEE scrambled the ball past the QK keeper and, although there was a hint of offside, the goal stood. With the second half came plenty of excitement with both sides not taking their feet of the pedal although neither side could add to their tally and the game finished with a 2-1 win for QK Southampton although both sides gave a display of good cup football.

WATERS FLOOD THE COMMON

 On a weekend when the devastating floods are dominating the news, it’s perhaps appropriate to mention the Waters
at FLEETLANDS ’s Main Road. In the wake of Common’s legendary striker Steve Waters, arriving on the scene now
are his sons Simon and Scott - both of whom are playing first team football at Main Road. Father Steve is a Common legend.
He made his first team debut on September 5, 1984 and went on to amass 511 appearances in which he netted
a phenomenal 259 goals. Steve featured in the club’s very first Hampshire League season (1984/5) and, unless
 injury took its toll, almost always ended the season as Common’s leading scorer. He stayed with the club
throughout (apart from a brief spell with Pirelli General – 1996/97 - during which time he scored the winner
for the Cable makers against Common at Main Road!) before turning his hand to management, 2002/03,
when Common lifted the Andover Open Cup.
  Steve also won two Hampshire League Division 1 winners medals, was a Southampton
Senior Cup winner and runner-up as well as a Hampshire League Trophyman Cup runner-up
and an Andover Open Cup winner. He also had trials with Wycombe Wanderers at the same time as Steve Guppy.
Twenty-two year-old Simon (LEFT) made his Common debut on April 20, 2004, and has subsequently scored 49 goals in 86 first team
appearances as well as registering 56 goals in 61 Common reserve team games.
This season Simon’s brother Scott (20) has pulled on the Common first team red and white for
the first time. Having made his debut for Ged Magee and Mick Pratt’s first team on October 31,
he then stepped back into the Reserves (he was cup-tied) and, in true Waters fashion,
found the net in a 5-3 defeat of Liphook United Reserves.

This Newsletter is published and circulated by Derek Hawkins on behalf of the Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League Email: keredhawkins@googlemail.com