Romsey proved they have come a long way since starting out as a new team this season by making strong tackles and passing the ball in triangles making sure Hamble had to work hard if they wanted the win. Key play came from Martin Simpson-Scott with his quick dribbling around players, Jon Marsh with his strong determination to hold Hamble out and goalkeeper Craig Mellor with his strong presence in the D.

Romsey created several chances and shots on target including a reverse stick pass across the D from Captain Matt Clark with Danny Nicoll just unable to get the deflection and big strikes on target from Mark McArdle who saw his shots get powerfully saved from the strong Hamble keeper.

Despite the score line, Hamble had no strikes on goal in the entire game, with all 3 goals coming from penalty corners after finding a Romsey foot while moving around just inside the D. The third goal on a short corner came after a hard tackle from Tom Knell nearly 8 meters outside of the D. Romsey protested against the call with Hamble’s umpire, but the decision stood.

Man of the Match player Lucas Seluja was on top form by stopping every player that came near him and making key runs up the pitch to pick out switching plays to Vice Captain Pete Cooper and Dave Dodge.
Hamble’s reliable keeper narrowly saved Romsey’s final short corner of the game after a perfect stop at top of the D and Captain Clark’s clean strike was sailing perfectly to bottom left corner. But it wasn’t meant to be.
The game finished 3-0 but, despite the loss, Romsey have walked away with a strong sense of achievement on how far they have progressed as a team. Captain Clark stated after the game that he was “proud to be the 3rd XI’s Captain looking at all the skills and knowledge the players have picked up and is looking forward to the next game against Blandford.”

Scorers: n/a

Match report to follow.

Scorers: n/a

With pitches frozen in many areas, Romsey Ladies 1s travelled to Gosport braving sub-zero temperatures.

After a recent series of lackluster performances, Romsey produced some slick passing and looked an improved side in the early stages of the game. Good attacking play resulting in several goalmouth scrambles, dealt with by skillful goalkeeping from Gosport to prevent the visitors from taking the lead.

Goaless at half time, Romsey continued to fight well, but it was Gosport who took the lead with a well worked attack down the center.

Throwing themselves forward to find the equaliser, Romsey left themselves open to breaks and Gosport sealed victory despite an improved performance from the visitors.

Romsey mens 2nd XI produced a solid win over fellow mid-tablers Havant at the college astro to rise to third in the league, although four teams were unable to play due to the freezing weather.

Romsey debutant and man of the match Greig Stewart opened the scoring, getting himself on the end of a sweeping move initiated by Dave Andrews at right back, who fed Colin Harwood in space to carry deep into Havant territory before finding Stewart at the left of the D to fire home powerfully into the far corner.

Previous man of the match Josh Bishop, continuing his excellent form linked up beautifully with Monty Roberts before firing in a shot of his own. It was well saved, but Stewart latched onto the rebound on the half volley, blasting past the stranded keeper.

Moments later Bishop again tore into the Havant D, but this time his shot was deflected beyond the keeper by Carl Hendy who extends his scoring run to 11 for the season.

Hendy then turned creator, linking up with Roberts on the right, who aimed a pass towards Colin Harwood, whose outrageous dummy left Hendy in yards of space to punch home.

A shell shocked Havant turned round determined to salvage some pride, but were unable to outwit Jim Ponsford and Dave Loescher in the Romsey rearguard. Romsey’s attacking became somewhat one dimensional, and although they were to fashion a number of second half chances, none carried the potent threat of the first period, neither team troubling the scorers in the second half, and the game ended 4-0 to the visitors.

Romey retain a chance of promotion, but will need the teams in 1st, 2nd and 4th to take points off each other.

Jack Forrest-Charde of Romsey eludes Ian Jacobs of Southampton

Josh Newman scored the goal of the game, his first in all hockey, after a wonderful move initiated by the back four stretched Southampton wide on the right before rapidly switching the attack to the left wing where McCarthy crossed for a diving Newman to tap in at close quarters.
Some neat skill from Will Savage released McCarthy again to cross agonisingly out of the reach of a rapidly closing Neil Strong.
After the break, Southampton came back into the match and fashioned 3 chances in quick succession, all dealt with calmly by Romsey Keeper Loz Scott in impassable mood between the Romsey posts.
Then high comedy – McCarthy shot powerfully after breaking into the visitors D only to see the ball disintigrating on its way toward goal. some of the ball landed inside the goal, but most wide of the post, causing umpire Penne Edwards to give the defending side the ball.
Ben Mullan went close, again finding space to be picked out by Savage, only to smash against the side netting.
Then Savage himself made it 4-0 after a penalty corner went wrong and Dave Miles had to hastily improvise again, releasing the Romsey forward to flick powerfully beyond the Southampton keeper.
Romsey made it 5-0 directly from the restart, Lewis Birch stealing possession before feeding Neil Strong, who’s first time pass left Ben Mullan in acres of space to pick his spot, crashing home from 6 yards out.
Romsey completed the scoring with the last action of the match, when penalty corner specialist Forrest-Charde bulleted a drag flick beyond the helpless Southampton keeper, and it ended 6-0 to the home team.

The whole match was generally played in good spirit between the two
rival clubs and despite strong attacking from both teams, the scores
were level at half time. Trojans started particularly well (or perhaps
Romsey were slow!) and probably edged the first half although Romsey
certainly improved as the first half went on. Trojans hit the post and
Romsey also had to thank Craig Mellor in goal for some smart saves and
a strong defence, with Alex Stote as usual playing particularly well at
left back and Fergus Longman at centre back.

Romsey came much more into the game in the 2nd half and Danny Nicholl
down the left started to make some progress and eventually the goal came
from a short corner that was put in by Danny following a shot from Harry
Foyle. Credit to Romsey for changing the short corner routine as the
previous 3 had all resulted in routine saves from the Trojans GK.

Trojans came back strongly but were unable to force the equaliser,
mainly as a result of determined (and at times last gasp) defending from
the whole team who once again worked hard, tracked back and gave a whole
hearted effort.

Yateley took the push back at Frogmore Centre with the low winter sun beaming into player’s faces. Romsey wasted no time and swiftly won back the ball and begun playing the strong hockey they have been working hard on since the Christmas break. Romsey made lots of space playing the width of the field creating the channels for key plays from Martin Simpson-Scott, Steven White and Man of the Match Jon Marsh to attack Yateley’s D.
The first goal came from Vice Captain Pete Cooper after a big run up the pitch from just before the half way line. Cooper was dribbled the ball with precision and was able to fool players on several occasions before driving into the D and firing a rocket into the top right hand corner of the goal with Yateley barely moving to stop the ball.

Yateley made some strong attacks in Romsey’s half but were only able to make it into the D a couple of times throughout the game. The first of which saw Yateley equalising when there was a fumble for the ball after an initial diving save from Craig Mellor. Cooper was just unable to stretch for the ball and watched in horror as it trickled pass the line.

Romsey were undone by this and fought back and penetrated Yateley’s D. Simpson-Scott took a big strike, which was kicked on the line by a defender. The umpire blew for a penalty stroke, which Simpson-Scott took. The powerful flick was fired directly at the keeper but as he fell backwards into the D the ball came loose and went in making it 2-1 to Romsey.

The 3rd goal came close to half time when a quick run from Tom Knell up the right wing was able to pick out Marsh who switched the ball left to Captain Matt Clark. Clark made a quick pass to Simpson-Scott and quickly laid the ball to White who made a reverse stick shot at top of the D. The ball floated slowly in the air like a feather and passed over the keeper’s head sending Romsey into a comfortable lead for half time.

The second half was underway as Clark took the push back for Romsey. Clark passed direct to Simpson-Scott who dribbled ball up the left wing with Clark in support. After running into trouble Clark made a powerful pass back to Blake Cookson in defence who switched first to Dave Thomson on the left to draw the play. Thomson drew the attackers out perfectly and switched the ball back to Cookson who the made a strong pass wide to the right to Lucas Suleja. Suleja picked out Danny Nicoll who made a strong run up field and passed across to Marsh. Marsh drove the ball further and switched quick back to Cooper who drove into the D and smashed the ball on target. An initial save from Yateley’s keeper saw the ball fall to the stick of Simpson-Scott who slipped the ball into the top of the net.

Further play from Romsey created several chances for a goal including impressive shots from Knell, Marsh, Nicoll and Clark. Romsey were able to find a Yateley foot within the D to take another penalty corner. Simpson-Scott injected the ball to top D, Marsh stopped and Cookson struck it powerfully into the bottom right corner, shaking the goal. After playing for Romsey for a few years, this makes Cookson’s first goal for the club. Naturally a few high fives were called for!

Barely a minute later Romsey were in Yateley’s D again. Knell picked out Clark at top D who hit on his powerful reverse stick but just went wide by an inch. After Yatley took the 16, Marsh won the ball back and drove to towards the D and switched to Simspon-Scott. Playing in a triangle Simpson-Scott passed right to Nicoll who fired the ball into the D to White who created a perfect deflection making the score line a massive 6-1 just before the final whistle.

Scorers: Palframan, Charlton

Mid-table Romsey Ladies 2nd XI were braced for a tough match when they met league leaders Winchester at the weekend.

Against the odds Romsey took immediate control of the game with midfielders, Karen Robinson, Tracy Nicoll, Rosie Bishop & Jane Wheeler playing some great possession hockey and threading through a string of perfectly weighted passes.

Despite the absence of their two most experienced strikers, Romsey launched several piercing attacks which saw some outstanding play by Verity Charlton and Emma Palframan winning some early short corners. Their constant pressure and determination eventually forced defensive mistakes from Winchester, with Palframan first to capitalise for Romsey making a great run and unleashing a great shot on goal which, despite a Winchester deflection, still found the back of the net.


With growing confidence Romsey played some of their best hockey of the season, seemingly unable to put a foot wrong. Winchester made several substitutes in a bid to redress the balance and were eventually rewarded with an equaliser when a quick break left Romsey sweeper Penne Edwards and GK Zoe Rogers considerably outnumbered in the D.


Against the run of play and just minutes into the second half Winchester went ahead after a short corner routine caught a lucky deflection.

With a loud and enthusiastic home crowd cheering on Winchester the game turned more physical with several tussles. But Romsey retained their composure, swiftly switching play and confidently feeding the ball round the back via captain Maree Welsh, Sally Shrubb, Edwards and Bethan Knights.

It was play from the back which again released Charlton down the left for a shot on goal from a tight angle which snuck past the GK. With Winchester becoming more frustrated a high ball was smashed into Romsey’s D connecting with one of Winchester’s own players, resulting in their player retiring early with an injury.

Despite last ditch attacks from Charlotte Jewson and Caitlin Hogan-Lloyd the score remained drawn at two all – a fair result from a very hard fought game.

Scorers: n/a

Romsey ladies 1s were looking for a better start at home to Eastleigh, after their previous weeks encounter that only acrewed a single point. Romsey came out fighting, applying pressure from the off, but it was Eastleigh who seized the momentum, taking the lead early on from a short corner.

Romsey worked hard and were awarded a short corner after some lovely play from Kate Moss in the middle. Eastleigh held firm and threw everything they had at the Romsey defence. Romsey’s back line held strong for a while, but eventually surcommed to the pressure with Eastliegh flicking the ball into the goal.

From the start of the second half Romsey dominated possession with Player of the Match, Kate Olingschleager and Emily Slade linking the ball well on the left hand side. Becky Hutchins provided support from the middle, distributing out wide to Amy Welch whose excellent runs dominated the right side of the pitch.

Despite the pressure Romsey put on Easleighs back line, spear headed by Amy Edwards, Romsey could not break through. Eventually, Eastleigh made a break leading to their third goal.

Despite the score, Romsey never gave up with excellent coaching from captain Liz Forbes at the back and Sally Shrubb gave 100% at the back passing it nicely to Sophie Riley who played brilliantly.

Romsey must look to improve if they wish to reclaim 2nd spot in the league.