PHPL NEWSLETTERS

 

Action from AFC Stoneham’s impressive 4-1 away victory over Fleetlands at Lederle Lane. SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY HANDYMAN LUKE   FLEETLANDS     1 AFC STONEHAM    4 Roger Allen reports from Lederle Lane Stoneham gained revenge for a January defeat when they took three points with a 4-1 victory at Fleetlands thanks to a trio of opportunist goals by Luke Pothecary. They made the best possible start by scoring after just 50 seconds. Kenny Rowe took a free kick and, with Fleetlands still trying to organise themselves, passed to James Hobbs down the side of the wall. Hobbs’ cross was met at the near post by POTHECARY who slid the ball home. Stoneham continued to press and went further ahead in the 16th minute from another Kenny Rowe free kick. This one was floated to the far post where Chris Benham headed it back across goal to the onrushing POTHECARY to score from close range with his head. Fleetlands were at their inconsistent worst – looking threatening one minute then slapdash the next. Stoneham were much the more consistent side and Danny Chapman was rarely called upon in the first half. The third goal came just before half time when Dave Reading cut in from the right and his shot was parried by Tom Price into the path of POTHECARY (pictured under) who completed his hat-trick off the underside of the bar. Fleetlands looked better after half time and Sean Snelling, who was their best player, produced a shot in the first minute of the half that brought out a good save from Chapman. Fleetlands continued to press and scored on the hour. Just prior to this Pat Blackmore had cleared a shot off the line and Chapman had made another good save. The goal came from a long clearance by Price which was picked up by Mark PEACH who cut inside his marker and scored well. Another goal to the home side at this stage would have produced an interesting finish but it was Stoneham who got the final goal with 11 minutes to go. Fleetlands full back Dan Silvester unluckily slipped on the wet surface and conceded possession to Stoneham’s sub Josh Harfield. He fed Dean HIGGINS whose clipped shot evaded Price. From then on it was a straight forward task for Stoneham to see out the game for a well deserved three points. HOLDERS ARE HIT FOR SIX   LIPHOOK UNITED    2 PORTCASTRIAN    6 Report by Henry Ascoli from London Road DEFENDING champions Liphook United suffered a demoralising defeat in the Hampshire Intermediate Cup against Portcastrian on Saturday. Robbie Woolner bagged four goals as the visitors delivered a dominant display in a rugged quarter-final clash at the Recreation Ground. United fell behind with only eight minutes on the clock, WOOLNER pouncing on a fumble from goalkeeper Andy Ewen to produce a composed finish from six yards out. The visitors snatched a second ten minutes later, Ben VARIVA netting from the penalty spot after a contentious handball by Andy Luckhurst. Liphook responded with several clear-cut chances on the counter-attack, yet failed to find the target with audacious efforts from Tony Lumb and Luckhurst. Portcastrian proved equally bold on the break, exposing further slack defending to bag a quick-fire brace on the half-hour mark. River SMITH delivered a deft strike from an acute angle, before WOOLNER grabbed his second from the penalty spot after a lunging challenge inside the box. United responded five minutes before the break, Dominic COPE latching on to a shot pass to convert from close range. Liphook produced a promising start to the second half, yet hopes of an inspired comeback were swiftly dashed as WOOLNER completed his hat-trick with an assured finish from 15 yards out. Striker Steve Harding was denied by a smart penalty save after 55 minutes, yet COPE kept United in contention with a superb long-range strike moments later. Liphook flooded forward during the closing stages, allowing the visitors to capitalise on the counter-attack. WOOLNER found the defence exposed and seized possession to score the sixth, sealing victory for Portcastrian. "We definitely under estimated the opposition today, and found ourselves out of the game very early on," said Liphook manager Kevin Adair. "Despite showing some character during the second half, poor decision-making and a lack of communication cost us dear and we now need to focus on putting in a positive performance next weekend." United return to Hampshire Premier League action next Saturday, aiming to reclaim the Division 1 top spot with victory at Locks Heath. COMMON IN SEVENTH HEAVEN ! Saturday Intermediate Cup Quarter-finals   SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY FC Bournemouth 0 Colden Common 7 Mitchell Parker 10. David Philpott 13,41,62. Liam McGee 17,77. Callum McGee 60. Ian Steele reports from Victoria Park WITH the managers unavoidably detained on a scouting trip to Scotland, Common legend Barry Cox stepped up to the plate for the third attempt to play this Hampshire Intermediate Cup tie. Cox guided this Colden Common side to an emphatic victory with a display that blossomed through the game, facing a side that is challenging for Bournemouth League honours plus has taken some impressive scalps in their Hampshire Intermediate Cup run to date. The game was played at Bournemouth Poppies Victoria Park home after two previous attempts at Main Road had fallen foul of the freezing weather. Again the weather had a major say this afternoon as a gale blew down the ground from goal-to-goal so keeper Richard Le Brocq advised skip Dave Egerton to kick with the wind at our backs for the first half, and what an inspired decision it was. Common pressed from the outset but some wayward passing eased the pressure on the hosts. However, after ten minutes another Common surge forward saw Dave Philpott break down the right flank and he fired the ball toward Alex Mackie in the FC Bournemouth goal. The keeper appeared to have it covered but Mitch PARKER stole in to divert the ball into the net. With the wind seemingly getting stronger FC had it all to do as another Common attack on 13 miniutes brought reward. Egerton was the architect as he surged forward down the left flank, played the ball across the edge of the box where John Cole fed PHILPOTT who slotted home. Home foray's forward for Bournemouth were dealt with well by Ben Clarke, Karl Salmon, Dan Hansford and Pete Winkle, the latter in an unaccustomed right back role, leaving custodian Le Brocq with little to do. Back to the other end and PHILPOTT increased Common's advantage to three with a clinical finish. Cole was the single most influential player throughout this game as his work-rate, distribution and choices were making Common click with some aplomb. Callum Magee was proving a thorn in the home side’s side as he produced one of his most complete displays for the Common Cause. As half time approached Dan Hansford intercepted an FC Bournemouth raid and quickly moved the ball 'over the top' to an onrushing Liam MAGEE who finished with aplomb to ensure the visitors had a 4-0 half-time lead. Manager Cox warned against complacency during the half-time break as the wind was proving a major factor. The second half began as expected with the home side enjoying greater possession but proving unable to break a resolute defence which, if caught out, would see a Philpott, a Cole or an Egerton striving back to cover any danger. Now playing some tremendous football Common extended their lead through PHILPOTT who completed his hat-trick.with a convincing finish, 5-0 and more to come. Pete Winkle's surges down the right flank were causing problems but, at the other end, Brocqy had to be alert and he was. Another lightning Common raid Salmon, Parker,Callum Magee ended with Egerton having a shot at goal nudged over the line by Callum MAGEE. Credit to FC Bournemouth as they kept seeking at least one goal which, at the final, whistle had failed to materialise, and they had to endure another 'goal against'. A Common raid down the left flank saw Winkle feed Callum Magee and his low cross was converted, first time, by Liam MAGEE. QK MAINTAIN TITLE TILT   QK SOUTHAMPTON    4 LISS ATHLETIC     1 Ken Babey reports QK maintained their pressure on leaders Liphook United with a fine win against strugglers Liss Athletic. From the start it was clear they were in no mood to let this game slip. Onslaught after onslaught showed Liss that they were in for a tough game and were it not for the offside flag, could have been 2-0 up in the opening 15 minutes. Then the inevitable happened in the 21st minute. After sustained pressure around the Liss box, Mike Nailor managed to thread the ball to Ben PENFOLD to neatly shoot past the keeper. QK kept up the pressure but were then dealt a blow when, in the 28th minute, Curtis BLAKE picked up on a loose ball and with the QK defenders fast asleep, he found loads of space to leave himself with just the keeper to beat which he did. This however was as much as Liss could manage and the home side were back on the attack again. Then in the 38th minute, Penfold passed the ball across the goal to Andy WOOD who hammered a shot past a helpless keeper to make it 2-1 to QK. The second half started just as frenetic as the first, although Liss came more into the game. However, QK kept up the pressure and were it not for Clark in the Liss goal would have scored a hatful. But then in the 76th minute, PENFOLD again found space to let fly and score his second. Just five minutes later after a great move with Penfold slipped the ball to Mike Nailor who in turn passed wide to Martyn RANDALL who let fly a left-foot screamer which gave the keeper no chance and sew the game up for QK. This was a thoroughly well deserved win for QK and gave them a firm foundation for the games ahead. CASTLE OPEN NEW YEAR ACCOUNT   HEDGE END RANGERS   0 WINCHESTER CASTLE   2 Report by Mike Crowfoot at Heathouse Lane Hedge End kicked off facing a stiff breeze but quickly put pressure on the Castle defence and had a series of corners which came to nothing. Following another corner in the fifth minute Castle put together a swift counter attack and should have taken the lead as Max Beebe put Shaun Boast free down their right and his cross was met by an unmarked Tom King just eight yards out but he side footed over the bar with only Phillip Kinally in the Hedge End goal to beat. Hedge End continued to put the Castle defence under pressure but they held firm and in the 10th minute with another quick counter attack Castle should again have taken the lead as Beebe released Sam Strange down the right and his through ball to the near post was met by Shaun Boast just six yards out but his powerful shot was straight at Kinally who did well to push it away to be cleared for a corner. Castle now had a period of pressure on the Hedge End goal before play became end to end but both defences held firm with neither team looking likely to score although Michael Hizidimitrioni came nearest for Hedge End with a volley from 16 yards when James Gill pulled the ball back from the goal line. However, in the 32nd minute Castle took the lead as Max Beebe robbed a central defender on the halfway line, beat two other defenders in his run to the penalty area where he squared the ball to an unmarked Tom KING who dummied Kinally before shooting into the roof of the net. Play continued end to end but Castle increased their lead in the 37th minute as Tom King put the ball in behind the Hedge End, who had pushed up to the half way line, and Shaun BOAST beat the off side to run on and swerve his shot around the advancing Kinally. For the remainder of the half play switched from end to end without either keeper being troubled but in the 46th minute Castle nearly increased their lead as Beebe's volley from 30 yards dropped over Kinally but was inches wide. The half had been evenly contested but the difference had been that Castle had managed to open up the Hedge End defence which Hedge End had failed to do to Castle. The second half was dictated by the wind and Castle setting out to keep their two goal advantage. For the first 10 minutes Hedge End looked as if they would score with repeated attacks and Hazidimitrioni had a curling shot inches wide on 51 minutes and just three minutes later Brian Schwodler saw his header go inches wide. But generally the Castle defence kept them at bay and with counter attacks they always looked dangerous with the pace of substitutes Tom Blythe and Liam Nancholas troubling the Hedge End defenders. Indeed in the last 30 minutes it was Castle who came nearest to scoring as Blythe's cross was mishit into his own keepers arms by right back Ben Briers, Kinally doing well to hold onto the sharply hit ball from just eight yards out. Although Hedge End dominated possession for most of the second half they rarely troubled Castle keeper Darren Crowfoot behind a well organised defence and in the end Hedge End ran out of ideas as Castle recorded their first win since 27th December.

04/02/2012

Hampshire Intermediate Cup, Quarter-finals

HEDGE END FINISH OFF HAMBLE
  

HEDGE END RANGERS 4 - 0 HAMBLE CLUB

Att: 48
Steve Bauck (6), James Gill (43)
Lee New (90, 90+2)

Roger Allen reports from Heath House Lane

The difference between the two sides in an otherwise even game was the quality of the finishing. Whilst Hamble Club always wanted an extra touch before shooting, the home side were much more clinical.
Hedge End got off to the best possible start with a goal from their first chance in the sixth minute. A pass inside the full back by Hedley Winter was picked up and crossed by James Gill from the left. On the other side of the area Steve BAUCK met the cross and scored with a low shot into the far corner.
Hamble Club had the balance of play for the remainder of the first half but they either failed to get the final touch or their finishing was weak.

Action from this weekend’s only PEHPL match – Hedge End Rangers’ 4-0 home success against Hamble Club at Heath House Lane.

For their part, the home side produced some neat football and were unlucky not to extend their lead when an Aaron Cousens header struck the bar. Two minutes before half time Cousens popped up on the right side of the penalty area and he crossed for GILL (right) to head in at the far post.
Both sides adapted well to the difficult conditions and produced a good contest. Again Hamble were guilty of poor finishing when in a good position to score. Matt Camfield and Mike Sigournay were both guilty of taking the extra touch allowing the chance to be snuffed out by the home defence.
As time ticked on to the final minutes the realisation of defeat caused Hamble heads to drop and Lee New, on as a substitute, gave the scoreline a convincing look for Hedge End.

First Jack Igglesden picked out NEW with a fine crossfield ball for him to finish with his right foot.
Then two minutes into stoppage time NEW completed the scoring with his more favoured left foot.

BRITTEN’S GOT TALENT !
 
FLEETLANDS      5
HAMBLE CLUB     1

By George Mason reporting from Lederle Lane

A strong wind blowing down the pitch ensured that the match was going to be full of surprises. Fleetlands started against the wind and Dean Curnow, Hamble’s keeper, was quickly called on to save bravely at the feet of Fleetland striker Jason Bath.
At the other end Tom Price had to move smartly off his line to deal with a ball floated over a stranded defence but, on 15 minutes, Steve BRITTEN coming in from the left drove the ball across Dean Curnow into the corner of the net to give Fleetlands the lead. Darren WIILIAMSON increased Fleetlands’ lead on 29 minutes when Hamble failed to deal with a corner which after some desperate defending fell invitingly to him to drive home from close range.
Hamble were pressing hard to get back into the game but were repeatedly caught off side, when on 34 minutes BRITTEN scored his second goal. Put through by Mark Peach he again drove the ball across the keeper into the corner of the net. The second half developed much the same as the first with Fleetlands pressing high up the pitch and Hamble attempting to beat the off side which they did on more than one occasion requiring some first rate keeping by Tom Price who, caught four or five times in a one on one situation, manfully kept Hamble out.
It was Mark PEACH who increased Fleetlands lead with another fine strike when he was put through one on one with Dan Curnow beaten on his left by a low hard drive.
But Dean Curnow had his revenge shortly after when he saved brilliantly, this time diving left and low to push a Baz Snelling’s shot round the post.
With Fleetlands looking comfortable and added time being played it was Fleetlands’ turn not to deal with a corner in from the left.  With the ball fizzing around the six-yard box it fell this time to Hamble’s Luke WILLIS who drove it home from close range to get what looked like the last goal of the match but PEACH was to have the final say when from the restart, and fully 50 yards out, he drove the ball downwind over a stranded Hamble keeper for his second of the match and giving Fleetlands its four-goal margin back.

HOBBS NAILS EASTLEIGH IN EXTRA TIME
 
AFC STONEHAM    2
EASTLEIGH RESERVES   1 (after extra time)

Roger Allen reports from Chestnut Avenue

This was a full blooded cup tie and if the flowing football was sporadic, the players had the excuse of a difficult pitch and a strong cross wind to cope with.
Stoneham were off to a flying start in the third minute as a Pat Blackmore corner was headed into the roof of the net past a static defence by Liam HALL. This was the prelude to a man of the match performance in which Hall gave the promising Sam Wilson hardly a sniff of a chance.
For much of the first half Eastleigh controlled possession as Stoneham struggled to build on their lead. Eastleigh’s best chance came from a free kick just outside the penalty area on the half hour. Sam Wilson’s shot was heading for the top corner but Danny Chapman in the home goal just got his fingertips to the ball to push it over.
The second half started with both sides going full pelt to create an opening but it took until the 64th minute for Eastleigh to equalise. Substitute Joe COOK advanced into the penalty area and slid the ball under the advancing Chapman.
At this stage Eastleigh looked favourites to go on and win the tie but in the 73rd minute came the incident which turned the game. Stoneham’s Lee Hewett was pushed by a defender into a collision with Eastleigh’s keeper Jamie Banasco-Zaragozo which involved lengthy treatment for both players.
On getting to his feet the keeper evidently said something to the referee which resulted in a red card being shown to him. He was determined to get his full money’s worth for the inevitable fine and suspension that will follow by delivering a tirade of abuse at the referee before being persuaded to leave the field.
Ben Wilson took over between the sticks and was soon able to prove that he wasn’t a novice keeper by producing a full length save to palm away a Chris Knight shot.
Both sides had goalbound efforts saved before the whistle heralded another 30 minutes of extra time. The decisive moment came in the seventh minute as Dean Higgins crossed from the right and James HOBBS coming in from the other wing got across his marker to score at the near post.
By this stage several players were operating on a short fuse but fortunately a number of minor scuffles broke up without causing the referee to resort to the early bath. In the end Stoneham squeezed out the win which takes them through to the semis and a possible date at St Marys.
OTTERS TURN TABLE UPSIDE DOWN
 
OTTERBOURNE    2
QK SOUTHAMPTON    1
Report by Ken Babey at Oakwood Avenue

QK threw away a great chance to keep in the title hunt at Otterbourne. They started well and showed potential to overrun the home side even in the blustery conditions and on a pitch which was in need of some repair.
It was as early as the 10th minute when they were awarded a throw in. Dan Smith received the ball, then took it to the dead ball line and sent a cross over the keeper where Ben PENFOLD (above) was on hand to beat the defender to the ball and put it in the net to make it 1-0 to QK.
Although the Otters’ defence was coping well, QK kept up the pressure but could not make it tell.
Then in the 21st minute a defensive error cost QK dearly. Otterbourne sent the ball forward and the QK defender just seemed to let his man go past him - John ALLEN was the man to put the ball in the net for the home side and draw level.
For the rest of the half QK took the game forward but could not make the final ball tell. The second half started very lively and it was all QK. With the wind behind them they seemed to have a new lease of life but the Otters keeper was on top form and saved them on numerous occasions, saving point blank and stretching to tip shots over the bar.
The visitors tried everything to score but were denied time and time again.
It looked like the game was going to end honours even then in the 88th minute, after another defensive error, Arron MILNE popped up to fire the home side in front.
Try as they may, QK could not make the breakthrough and the game ended with a good victory for Otterbourne and QK were left to lick their wounds yet again.

PERRYMAN AT THE DOUBLE
 
WINCHESTER CASTLE   1
OVERTON UNITED    2
Mike Crowfoot reporting from Chilcomb

Playing conditions were difficult with a strong crosswind but Castle made light of this as they opened brightly and took the game to Overton playing some neat football.
However, goal scoring chances proved hard to come by against a hard working resolute Overton team and it was the 10th minute before Ross Brimfield saw his free kick from 20 yards pass narrowly over the bar.
In a rare moment of Overton attacking Ross Soper-Dyer got to the byline but his cross sailed harmlessly over everyone. Castle continued to force Overton to defend and in the 21st minute Brimfield again came close as Shaun Boast got to the by line and pulled the ball back but Brimfield's 16 yard shot was turned over the bar by Neil Butler in the Overton goal but a goal kick was awarded.
Just a minute later Overton took the lead against the run of play as a ball through the middle was kicked against the chasing Jamie Perryman by Castle keeper Darren Crowfoot, the ball cannoning onto a defender and fortuitously back to the feet of PERRYMAN who had a simple task of slotting into the empty net.
Castle continued to put the Overton defence under pressure and in the 25th minute Max Beebe put Shaun Boast in behind the defence but he shot straight at Butler. Overton had several corners which carried their main threat and when the ball fell to Craig Smith he turned and got in a shot from 14 yards which was well held by Crowfoot.
Overton showed some nice passing moves on the counter attack with Myles Englefield prominent, however Castle continued to have most of the play but failed to open up the Overton defence and the nearest they came was a 30 yard effort from Phil Kloppenborg which Butler held under the bar. 
The second half started with Overton having more of the game although failing to trouble Crowfoot until the 53 minute when Castle's defence got into a tangle trying to pass the ball around and Jamie PERRYMAN was quick to capitalise as he snapped up the loose ball and curled a shot from 20 yards into the corner of the net.
Castle now retook the initiative and in the 53rd minute Overton were lucky to escape as from a corner Sam Strange's header looped up off a defender over Butler but was headed off the line.
Castle's final ball was continually letting them down but following a period of pressure in the 63rd minute Castle were awarded a penalty as a low ball into the box was taken down by substitute Callum McIntyre with his back to goal but he was pushed to the ground and BRIMFIELD stepped up to send Butler the wrong way from his spot kick and reduce the arrears.
Castle now pushed for further goals but still found chances hard to come by and in a well constructed Overton counter attack Englefield fired a cross shot narrowly over the bar.

Just a minute later and Castle came close to an equaliser as Ben Nancholas put brother Liam in behind the defence but his shot from 18 yards was inches wide and then Overton had another swift counter attack and again Englefield fired wide.
Overton seemed content to sit back and defend with swift counter attacks and as Castle became more frustrated the less they looked likely to score and the well organised Overton defence held out until the final whistle.

CLANFIELD’S NEW YEAR RESOLUTION !
 
CLANFIELD    2
PAULSGROVE    1
By Stuart Wallis at Peel Park

CLANFIELD made it four wins on the bounce at a very windy Peel Park, both sides struggled with the conditions early on.
But it was the home side that settled first and youngest David Price on his first start played a big part in the first goal, he won the ball then broke clear on the left and his low cross was turned in by the defender for an OWN GOAL.
The lead was doubled ten minutes later when good work down the right found Darren FERGUSON in space for a lovely finish from edge of the box.
Paulsgrove were all at sea and home side running the game and should have added further goals with Amos seeing his shot saved from close range and Ferguson heading just over.
With the wind at their backs now the visitors upped their game and Crawford missed a glorious chance early on, but he made amends on 55 minutes when he turned provider for Tommy FARMINER to sweep home and put them right back in it, it was now game on but the Clanfield defence refused to buckle and despite a late effort which Wiseman did well to palm away and a few late corners the home side saw the game out to make in 12 points out of 12 in 2012.