Ladies win Title with game to spare
Eastleigh Ladies vs Gosport ladies 9th February 2008
Totton and Ealing Ground, Eastleigh KO 2pm
Match report by Sarah Kingston
Kick off on a spectacularly sunny winters afternoon was won by Eastleigh and they started brightly. A handful of chances were sprayed towards the Gosport goal by Piper and Niven but neither of the two could open the scoring so early on in the game. It took a self made chance from Brazier a few minutes later to take the lead when she turned, shot and beat the keeper from inside the box, signaling her 9th goal of the season. 1-0.
It was then the turn of Kingston, having just swapped from right wing to left to pounce on the ball. The right back fumbled and the ball came loose, leaving it stranded in open space from where the player was able to drive on into the box and then shoot low and firm past the goalkeeper. 2.0. The goals then kept on coming, the team pushed on, winning corners and looking dangerous at all times. A spark of brilliance from top scorer Niven (17 goals) then began the start of her own goalscoring show. A header down to her feet to control and then the volley to make the score 3-0 signaled fantastic goal number one. Then Heda struck a sublime free kick from the half way line into the box and provided the perfect ball for Niven to score her second. With this goal you have to bear in mind Stacey's small stature as she directed her header goalwards from between two defenders, superb. 4-0.
The fifth goal was a measured finish much like the calm winner against Christchurch last weekend. It was a right footed gem into the bottom right to complete the hat-trick, but that was not the end of it. Piper was heavily involved in the 6th goal when it came to the crunch, however it all began from Palmer in the left back slot. She brought the ball out wide and passed down the line to Kingston who passed inside to Niven. Niven ran towards the box and within a couple more passes the ball was at Pipers feet, with the Gosport defence left gauping at the space found in behind them. They could do nothing when Piper played the square ball to Niven and allowed her to finish off the move, again in measured fashion, aiming bottom left this time to secure 6-0.
An extra minute was added to the half after one Gosport player was winded thanks to a blow to the stomach when blocking a strong clearance and there was small concern over the goalkeeper at one point, but Gosport were unable to make a dent in Eastleigh’s commanding lead. One plus point to the stoppages was that they enabled quick drinks breaks. It was hot work that half.
The action of the second half was somewhat sluggish compared to the first. Whether because Gosport were better at quashing the Eastleigh play or because of the already hefty score margin between the teams, there was only one more goal to come in the second 45.
A corner was won by Read, and Hebdige sprang towards the box keen for a goal. Heda was also up, along with Read, Kingston, Brazier, Piper and Gwyther. Brazier delivered, Niven retrieved and then with the return ball Heda rose above all, including Hebdige at close quarters, to power a strong header into the top right corner. Rachel Heda, living up to the cliche, was ecstatic at scoring and it signaled her first of the season.
The rest of the game was battled out with Eastleigh still the main threat, but Gosport did make a game of it and Hebdige and Palmer especially had some hard running to do on occasions. A bank of substitutions were made around the 60th minute, the changes were Crawford, Snell and Aboe on for Kingston, Brazier and Read. Crawford made her first start ever as a promising new addition to the squad in the last couple of weeks, and Snell made her first start in several months having injured her knee in the preseason fixture against Bisley FC way back in August. There was a welcome return for Aboe after a few games out of the side as well.
There is now healthy competition for places amongst the Eastleigh ranks with Woolliscroft, Clark and Forsyth all missing from today’s squad. The 7-0 win today leaves just one game of the season to go and then a semi-final cup time run to keep the season alive. Next week sees Eastleigh away to Horndean, KO same as always 2pm . Fancy dress fans welcome.
Last thing: BREAKING NEWS... EASTLEIGH CHAMPIONS OF HAMPSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 2! PROMOTION HAS BEEN CLINCHED TODAY AS FARNHAM TOWN LOSE TO WIDBROOK UTD. What a first season, well done all!
--------------
Congratulations to everyone involved with the Eastleigh Ladies F.C on this remarkable achievement.
The Ladies celebrated an emphatic 7-0 win over Gosport Ladies at Totton and had even more reason to jump for joy upon hearing the news of title challengers, Farnham losing to Widbrook United meaning the Spitfires had wrapped up the league title with a game to spare in their first ever season together.
The last game of the season will be played next week away to Horndean. The more the merrier please, as this team fully deserve our support and to celebrate this magnificent feat.
Totton and Ealing Ground, Eastleigh KO 2pm
Team
GK Alex Brooks
2. Danae Palmer
3. Nicola Beeton
4. Stacey Niven
5. Sarah Kingston
6. Rachel Heda
7. Connie Brazier
8. Samantha Read
9. Lucy Piper
10. Natasha Gwyther
14. Emma Hebdige
Substitutes
Abby Crawford
Jenna Snell
Gemma Aboe
Result: 7-0
Scorers: Brazier, Kingston, Niven (4), Heda
Referee: 7/10
GK Alex Brooks
2. Danae Palmer
3. Nicola Beeton
4. Stacey Niven
5. Sarah Kingston
6. Rachel Heda
7. Connie Brazier
8. Samantha Read
9. Lucy Piper
10. Natasha Gwyther
14. Emma Hebdige
Substitutes
Abby Crawford
Jenna Snell
Gemma Aboe
Result: 7-0
Scorers: Brazier, Kingston, Niven (4), Heda
Referee: 7/10
Match report by Sarah Kingston
Kick off on a spectacularly sunny winters afternoon was won by Eastleigh and they started brightly. A handful of chances were sprayed towards the Gosport goal by Piper and Niven but neither of the two could open the scoring so early on in the game. It took a self made chance from Brazier a few minutes later to take the lead when she turned, shot and beat the keeper from inside the box, signaling her 9th goal of the season. 1-0.
It was then the turn of Kingston, having just swapped from right wing to left to pounce on the ball. The right back fumbled and the ball came loose, leaving it stranded in open space from where the player was able to drive on into the box and then shoot low and firm past the goalkeeper. 2.0. The goals then kept on coming, the team pushed on, winning corners and looking dangerous at all times. A spark of brilliance from top scorer Niven (17 goals) then began the start of her own goalscoring show. A header down to her feet to control and then the volley to make the score 3-0 signaled fantastic goal number one. Then Heda struck a sublime free kick from the half way line into the box and provided the perfect ball for Niven to score her second. With this goal you have to bear in mind Stacey's small stature as she directed her header goalwards from between two defenders, superb. 4-0.
The fifth goal was a measured finish much like the calm winner against Christchurch last weekend. It was a right footed gem into the bottom right to complete the hat-trick, but that was not the end of it. Piper was heavily involved in the 6th goal when it came to the crunch, however it all began from Palmer in the left back slot. She brought the ball out wide and passed down the line to Kingston who passed inside to Niven. Niven ran towards the box and within a couple more passes the ball was at Pipers feet, with the Gosport defence left gauping at the space found in behind them. They could do nothing when Piper played the square ball to Niven and allowed her to finish off the move, again in measured fashion, aiming bottom left this time to secure 6-0.
An extra minute was added to the half after one Gosport player was winded thanks to a blow to the stomach when blocking a strong clearance and there was small concern over the goalkeeper at one point, but Gosport were unable to make a dent in Eastleigh’s commanding lead. One plus point to the stoppages was that they enabled quick drinks breaks. It was hot work that half.
The action of the second half was somewhat sluggish compared to the first. Whether because Gosport were better at quashing the Eastleigh play or because of the already hefty score margin between the teams, there was only one more goal to come in the second 45.
A corner was won by Read, and Hebdige sprang towards the box keen for a goal. Heda was also up, along with Read, Kingston, Brazier, Piper and Gwyther. Brazier delivered, Niven retrieved and then with the return ball Heda rose above all, including Hebdige at close quarters, to power a strong header into the top right corner. Rachel Heda, living up to the cliche, was ecstatic at scoring and it signaled her first of the season.
The rest of the game was battled out with Eastleigh still the main threat, but Gosport did make a game of it and Hebdige and Palmer especially had some hard running to do on occasions. A bank of substitutions were made around the 60th minute, the changes were Crawford, Snell and Aboe on for Kingston, Brazier and Read. Crawford made her first start ever as a promising new addition to the squad in the last couple of weeks, and Snell made her first start in several months having injured her knee in the preseason fixture against Bisley FC way back in August. There was a welcome return for Aboe after a few games out of the side as well.
There is now healthy competition for places amongst the Eastleigh ranks with Woolliscroft, Clark and Forsyth all missing from today’s squad. The 7-0 win today leaves just one game of the season to go and then a semi-final cup time run to keep the season alive. Next week sees Eastleigh away to Horndean, KO same as always 2pm . Fancy dress fans welcome.
Last thing: BREAKING NEWS... EASTLEIGH CHAMPIONS OF HAMPSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 2! PROMOTION HAS BEEN CLINCHED TODAY AS FARNHAM TOWN LOSE TO WIDBROOK UTD. What a first season, well done all!
--------------
Congratulations to everyone involved with the Eastleigh Ladies F.C on this remarkable achievement.
The Ladies celebrated an emphatic 7-0 win over Gosport Ladies at Totton and had even more reason to jump for joy upon hearing the news of title challengers, Farnham losing to Widbrook United meaning the Spitfires had wrapped up the league title with a game to spare in their first ever season together.
The last game of the season will be played next week away to Horndean. The more the merrier please, as this team fully deserve our support and to celebrate this magnificent feat.
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