This Sunday I was pleased to have the opportunity to finally visit QK Southampton, a trip that had long been on my to do list. The Bees, after a very tough start to the season, have been showing signs of recovery in the last few weeks. A resounding 7-0 cup win was followed by their first league points of the season, when they beat Bournemouth Sports at The Hive in their last game. This week was going to be a much tougher test though, as the current league leaders AFC Stoneham were coming to town. The Purps were coming into the game on the back of two defeats, a 2-1 county cup reversal at Winchester and a chastening 3-0 league defeat at Woking last time out.
Stoneham won the reverse fixture 8-2, but that was much earlier in the season when QK were struggling to acclimatise to the Southern Region League. A much closer game was expected this time around. However, to give some context to the challenge facing QK, Stoneham top scorer Mia House started the game with over twice as many league goals to her name than QK had accumulated across the whole team.
This game was also very much a local derby with just under six miles separating the clubs.
Many thanks to referee Peter Higgins for sharing the team sheets with me before the game.
Stoneham won the reverse fixture 8-2, but that was much earlier in the season when QK were struggling to acclimatise to the Southern Region League. A much closer game was expected this time around. However, to give some context to the challenge facing QK, Stoneham top scorer Mia House started the game with over twice as many league goals to her name than QK had accumulated across the whole team.
This game was also very much a local derby with just under six miles separating the clubs.
Many thanks to referee Peter Higgins for sharing the team sheets with me before the game.
QK defending a Stoneham corner On a bitterly cold afternoon in Hampshire, Stoneham wasted no time getting into their stride. Only three minutes had ticked by when Lucy Bicknell burst down the right before delivering a lovely cross which Mia House nodded just wide of the mark. The Bicknell/House combination was to become something of a feature and, three minutes later, the same combination proved even more fruitful. Bicknell broke free on the right again, looking suspiciously offside but not getting a flag from the QK assistant, before putting over the perfect cross for Mia House. The Stoneham top-scorer made no mistake, side-footing a volley past Ava Saunders. 0-1
Stoneham continued to press forward and Chloe Marshall blazed a shot over after House had laid the ball back to her on the edge of the box. At the other end, a rare QK foray forward was ended by Stoneham keeper Sian Lodge, coming off her line to beat Megan Dries to the ball. Immediately, Stoneham almost made it two when, yet again, Bicknell outpaced her marker and crossed for House, this time the striker was narrowly wide. The threat down the Stoneham right was plain to see, forcing QK into some positional changes in an attempt to stem the flow of crosses from Bicknell. The changes worked to an extent but Stoneham were still on the front foot. QK were defending stoutly in the face of an almost constant onslaught from Stoneham, but were making few inroads into Purps territory and, when they did try to push forward, the Stoneham back-line was proving to be very solid. The biggest problem for QK was the sheer physicality of the Stoneham team. They were a yard quicker and certainly stronger in the tackle, even though The Bees were trying to give as good as they got, they were still being out-muscled across the park. Stoneham were being captained by the ever-combative Mia Flood today, who was certainly leading by example. I've said in previous blogs that her style of play is great to watch. She offers no quarter but also takes a few knocks herself without argument. However, she was really playing on the edge this afternoon. One or two of her challenges were a little naughty and she was lucky to get away without a warning from the referee. Having said that, I'm sure Stoneham would not want her to change her ways. Every team needs at least one player that 'gets stuck in'.
QK, to their credit, were holding back the waves of Stoneham attacks quite successfully. As ide from an Imogen Mullins shot that Ava Saunders fielded easily, the Purps weren't threatening the goal too much. They did, however, come very close to making it two in the 43rd minute. Bicknell again got the better of her marker before swinging over another cross that Saunders clearly thought was drifting out of play. However, the ball struck the near post before cannoning away to safety. Something of a let off for The Bees, who must have been quite happy to go into the break just a goal behind.
HT QK Southampton 0 AFC Stoneham 1. The visitors well on top in terms of possession, but at only one-nil, there's still a lot of life left in this game. QK have not really threatened Stoneham but the law of averages says that they will get a chance at some point. Time to head to the car for some much needed warmth. It was absolutely freezing at The Hive.
Stoneham continued to press forward and Chloe Marshall blazed a shot over after House had laid the ball back to her on the edge of the box. At the other end, a rare QK foray forward was ended by Stoneham keeper Sian Lodge, coming off her line to beat Megan Dries to the ball. Immediately, Stoneham almost made it two when, yet again, Bicknell outpaced her marker and crossed for House, this time the striker was narrowly wide. The threat down the Stoneham right was plain to see, forcing QK into some positional changes in an attempt to stem the flow of crosses from Bicknell. The changes worked to an extent but Stoneham were still on the front foot. QK were defending stoutly in the face of an almost constant onslaught from Stoneham, but were making few inroads into Purps territory and, when they did try to push forward, the Stoneham back-line was proving to be very solid. The biggest problem for QK was the sheer physicality of the Stoneham team. They were a yard quicker and certainly stronger in the tackle, even though The Bees were trying to give as good as they got, they were still being out-muscled across the park. Stoneham were being captained by the ever-combative Mia Flood today, who was certainly leading by example. I've said in previous blogs that her style of play is great to watch. She offers no quarter but also takes a few knocks herself without argument. However, she was really playing on the edge this afternoon. One or two of her challenges were a little naughty and she was lucky to get away without a warning from the referee. Having said that, I'm sure Stoneham would not want her to change her ways. Every team needs at least one player that 'gets stuck in'.
QK, to their credit, were holding back the waves of Stoneham attacks quite successfully. As ide from an Imogen Mullins shot that Ava Saunders fielded easily, the Purps weren't threatening the goal too much. They did, however, come very close to making it two in the 43rd minute. Bicknell again got the better of her marker before swinging over another cross that Saunders clearly thought was drifting out of play. However, the ball struck the near post before cannoning away to safety. Something of a let off for The Bees, who must have been quite happy to go into the break just a goal behind.
HT QK Southampton 0 AFC Stoneham 1. The visitors well on top in terms of possession, but at only one-nil, there's still a lot of life left in this game. QK have not really threatened Stoneham but the law of averages says that they will get a chance at some point. Time to head to the car for some much needed warmth. It was absolutely freezing at The Hive.
Mia Flood's penalty about to be saved by Ava Saunders Almost as if predicted, five minutes into the second half QK equalised completely out of the blue. Georgia Sims did well to win the ball back on the left before feeding it through to Megan Dries in the centre of the penalty area. Her miscued shot had enough on it to drop over Lodge and nestled in the far corner. 1-1
Almost immediately, the Bicknell/House partnership came close to restoring the Stoneham lead and then, just before the hour, Mia House headed just wide much to the frustration of the striker. Stoneham were piling on the pressure again now. With 58 minutes on the clock Tiegan Stevens took aim from way out, sending an absolute belter smashing against the bar. QK looked to have survived but, in the ensuing scramble after the ball dropped into the penalty area, a foul on a Stoneham player drew a penalty decision from the referee.
Mia Flood stepped forward, striking her spot-kick low to the keeper's right. However, Ava Saunders got down brilliantly to keep it out. Great save.
Four minutes past the hour, Saunders was left grasping at thin air though, as Aimee Gritt flashed a 20 yard strike past the keeper's left hand to make it 1-2. Stoneham were back in front and back on top. Even at this stage, it was hard to see QK getting back into the game again. However, they were certainly not just sitting back an accepting their fate.
With 18 minutes remaining Stoneham came within a whisker of adding to their tally. A cross from the right found its way toward the far side of the box where Flood met it first time, absolutely leathering the ball off the underside of the bar. Saunders was grateful to be able to drop on the loose ball before a striker could latch onto it. Four minutes later, the QK goalkeeper produced a stop that possibly even eclipsed her penalty save and, once again it was the Stoneham captain on the receiving end of a great stop. Flood exchanged passes with Gritt before drilling a shot toward the bottom corner, only for Saunders to fly across goal and pull off a superb one-handed save.
A minute later the goalkeeper was again called into action and this time she could do nothing to prevent a third goal. She did save the first effort, but after the follow-up struck the post she was powerless to prevent Meredith Pake from stabbing the ball over the line. 1-3.To make matters worse, with six minutes left on the clock, the Bees stopper was beaten again. Rebecca Moody picked up a clearance in midfield, took a step, steadied herself and then planted a lovely strike into the top corner, giving Saunders no chance. 1-4.
FT QK Southampton 1 AFC Stoneham 4. The Purps were always on top in this game, despite the scare that QK gave them early in the second half. Stoneham's strength and aggression was always going to give them the edge. The Bees, to be fair, battled away for the entire 90 minutes, never giving up the ghost.
The result leaves Stoneham five points clear at the top of the table. However, both Havant (2) and Fleet (5) have the potential to overtake them with their games in hand. QK remain anchored to the bottom with games running out for them.
Next weekend Stoneham are on the road again, as they make the short journey to Romsey to take on AFC Varsity. QK have a week off before they travel to Abingdon United Development in the Chairman's Cup in March. The same day as Stoneham visit Premier League basement side, Badshot Lea, in the same competition.
QK Southampton: 1.Saunders, 2.Evans(c), 7.McIntyre, 8.M.Dries, 14.Kavanagh, 10.Nunn, 18.S.Dries, 6.Sims, 5.Goodman, 4.Priest, 16.Lauder. Subs: Mountford, O'Flynn
AFC Stoneham: 1.Lodge, 2.Goouch, 3.Stevens, 5.Kelly, 6.Gritt, 7.Marshall, 8.Awdas, 9.House, 10.Mullins, 11.Bicknell, 14.Flood(c). Subs: 4.Moody, 16.Dieujuste, 15.Pake
Almost immediately, the Bicknell/House partnership came close to restoring the Stoneham lead and then, just before the hour, Mia House headed just wide much to the frustration of the striker. Stoneham were piling on the pressure again now. With 58 minutes on the clock Tiegan Stevens took aim from way out, sending an absolute belter smashing against the bar. QK looked to have survived but, in the ensuing scramble after the ball dropped into the penalty area, a foul on a Stoneham player drew a penalty decision from the referee.
Mia Flood stepped forward, striking her spot-kick low to the keeper's right. However, Ava Saunders got down brilliantly to keep it out. Great save.
Four minutes past the hour, Saunders was left grasping at thin air though, as Aimee Gritt flashed a 20 yard strike past the keeper's left hand to make it 1-2. Stoneham were back in front and back on top. Even at this stage, it was hard to see QK getting back into the game again. However, they were certainly not just sitting back an accepting their fate.
With 18 minutes remaining Stoneham came within a whisker of adding to their tally. A cross from the right found its way toward the far side of the box where Flood met it first time, absolutely leathering the ball off the underside of the bar. Saunders was grateful to be able to drop on the loose ball before a striker could latch onto it. Four minutes later, the QK goalkeeper produced a stop that possibly even eclipsed her penalty save and, once again it was the Stoneham captain on the receiving end of a great stop. Flood exchanged passes with Gritt before drilling a shot toward the bottom corner, only for Saunders to fly across goal and pull off a superb one-handed save.
A minute later the goalkeeper was again called into action and this time she could do nothing to prevent a third goal. She did save the first effort, but after the follow-up struck the post she was powerless to prevent Meredith Pake from stabbing the ball over the line. 1-3.To make matters worse, with six minutes left on the clock, the Bees stopper was beaten again. Rebecca Moody picked up a clearance in midfield, took a step, steadied herself and then planted a lovely strike into the top corner, giving Saunders no chance. 1-4.
FT QK Southampton 1 AFC Stoneham 4. The Purps were always on top in this game, despite the scare that QK gave them early in the second half. Stoneham's strength and aggression was always going to give them the edge. The Bees, to be fair, battled away for the entire 90 minutes, never giving up the ghost.
The result leaves Stoneham five points clear at the top of the table. However, both Havant (2) and Fleet (5) have the potential to overtake them with their games in hand. QK remain anchored to the bottom with games running out for them.
Next weekend Stoneham are on the road again, as they make the short journey to Romsey to take on AFC Varsity. QK have a week off before they travel to Abingdon United Development in the Chairman's Cup in March. The same day as Stoneham visit Premier League basement side, Badshot Lea, in the same competition.
QK Southampton: 1.Saunders, 2.Evans(c), 7.McIntyre, 8.M.Dries, 14.Kavanagh, 10.Nunn, 18.S.Dries, 6.Sims, 5.Goodman, 4.Priest, 16.Lauder. Subs: Mountford, O'Flynn
AFC Stoneham: 1.Lodge, 2.Goouch, 3.Stevens, 5.Kelly, 6.Gritt, 7.Marshall, 8.Awdas, 9.House, 10.Mullins, 11.Bicknell, 14.Flood(c). Subs: 4.Moody, 16.Dieujuste, 15.Pake
The Hive
The Ground
QK play at The Hive off Redbridge Lane on the North-Western outskirts of Southampton. There's a good-sized car park, accessed through double gates bearing the club and main sponsor names. Access into the ground is via a short path from the car park which brings you in near the halfway line. All of the facilities are on this said of the playing surface. A series of container-style buildings house the tea/snack bar and the changing facilities for players and officials. There are dugouts on the opposite side of the pitch, but no spectator cover is available.
The playing surface is relatively flat, although there appeared to be a slight slope down toward the David Lloyd end of the ground, to the right as you look from the car park. The entire pitch is surrounded by a single bar fence painted in the club colours of yellow and black.
Ground Number: 436
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
QK play at The Hive off Redbridge Lane on the North-Western outskirts of Southampton. There's a good-sized car park, accessed through double gates bearing the club and main sponsor names. Access into the ground is via a short path from the car park which brings you in near the halfway line. All of the facilities are on this said of the playing surface. A series of container-style buildings house the tea/snack bar and the changing facilities for players and officials. There are dugouts on the opposite side of the pitch, but no spectator cover is available.
The playing surface is relatively flat, although there appeared to be a slight slope down toward the David Lloyd end of the ground, to the right as you look from the car park. The entire pitch is surrounded by a single bar fence painted in the club colours of yellow and black.
Ground Number: 436
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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