Sporting Wessex and Stockbridge cannot be separated as both sides take their first point of the campaign.
On Tuesday evening BotP made the trip down the A34 to take in a Hampshire Premier League - One game between newly promoted Sporting Wessex(their second promotion on the bounce) and newly relegated Stockbridge. Sporting, making their home league debut at their new Oakwood Park (former home of Colden Common) ground, were looking to get their first Hampshire League points on the board after losing 3-2 at Mob Albion on the opening day. Stockbridge, who were relegated from the Senior Division along with Andover Town last season, also lost their first game, 4-1 at Nursling & Shirley. With only a little over 13 miles between the grounds, this was also something of a local derby.
This would be my first visit to Oakwood Park and my first time watching Sporting Wessex, although I have visited Stockbridge before, back in 2021. That evening The Robins, then playing a division higher, were 4-0 victors over Liss Athletic (Bad Omens For The Blues)
Thanks to referee Richard Diggle for the Stockbridge team sheet and to the ladies in the clubhouse who had already written out the home team on the whiteboard that is placed outside the clubhouse before kick-off.
This would be my first visit to Oakwood Park and my first time watching Sporting Wessex, although I have visited Stockbridge before, back in 2021. That evening The Robins, then playing a division higher, were 4-0 victors over Liss Athletic (Bad Omens For The Blues)
Thanks to referee Richard Diggle for the Stockbridge team sheet and to the ladies in the clubhouse who had already written out the home team on the whiteboard that is placed outside the clubhouse before kick-off.
Lewis Newbury(6) about to open the scoring This game looked like it was going to be a close encounter right from the start with neither team taking a firm grip on proceedings early on. The first clear sight of goal came in the 11th minute when Ewan Stevenson's pace got him in behind the home defence on the left. Seeing that home keeper Josh Powell was off his line, the winger went for the first time lob, only to see his effort clear goalkeeper and crossbar.
Sporting's first meaningful effort came five minutes later when Callum Williams volleyed over without troubling Kieran Chaplin too much.
Sporting's style of play means that they want to play the ball out from the back which, at times, must have had their supporters hearts in their mouths as defence and goalkeeper took risks instead of launching the ball clear. Stockbridge's approach was a little more direct, looking to get the ball forward and utilise the pace of Stevenson. However, neither side managed to seriously trouble the opposition keeper until midway through the half when Stockbridge earned a corner on the left. The ball was delivered into the 6-yard area, where a group, including the keeper, challenged at the near post. The ball eluded everyone, falling perfectly for Robins captain Lewis Newbury to apply a relatively simple poke over the line. The home side complained that there was a foul on Powell, but the referee was having none of it. 0-1
If the goal rocked Sporting they didn't show it. In fact, their response took only four minutes to arrive. Conversely, given their measured approach, the goal came from a route one ball straight up the middle from Josh Powell. It caught the Stockbridge defence by surprise allowing Nathan Roles to run on and apply a clam finish past Chaplin. 1-1.
Two goals in four minutes could have signalled for the floodgates to open, but once again the game fell back into a midfield battle, with chances at a premium. Sporting did have a period of some sustained pressure late on when a series of corners and long throw-ins were all dealt with by the Stockbridge defence.
Then, just before the half-time whistle, an event that I had not witnessed before. The referee penalised a Stockbridge player for taking too long to take a throw-in, giving Sporting the throw instead. Whilst I don't like to see teams wasting time on throw-ins, goal-kicks etc, I'm not a big fan of this new rule. It just leads to more calls to the referee to penalise the opposition every time the ball goes out of play.
HT Sporting Wessex 1 Stockbridge 1. A half of few clear cut chances at either end. Two well-matched teams slugging it out. Sporting's admirable propensity for playing around at the back, with Powell acting as an additional defender, is dangerous at times. They take a lot of risks.
Sporting's first meaningful effort came five minutes later when Callum Williams volleyed over without troubling Kieran Chaplin too much.
Sporting's style of play means that they want to play the ball out from the back which, at times, must have had their supporters hearts in their mouths as defence and goalkeeper took risks instead of launching the ball clear. Stockbridge's approach was a little more direct, looking to get the ball forward and utilise the pace of Stevenson. However, neither side managed to seriously trouble the opposition keeper until midway through the half when Stockbridge earned a corner on the left. The ball was delivered into the 6-yard area, where a group, including the keeper, challenged at the near post. The ball eluded everyone, falling perfectly for Robins captain Lewis Newbury to apply a relatively simple poke over the line. The home side complained that there was a foul on Powell, but the referee was having none of it. 0-1
If the goal rocked Sporting they didn't show it. In fact, their response took only four minutes to arrive. Conversely, given their measured approach, the goal came from a route one ball straight up the middle from Josh Powell. It caught the Stockbridge defence by surprise allowing Nathan Roles to run on and apply a clam finish past Chaplin. 1-1.
Two goals in four minutes could have signalled for the floodgates to open, but once again the game fell back into a midfield battle, with chances at a premium. Sporting did have a period of some sustained pressure late on when a series of corners and long throw-ins were all dealt with by the Stockbridge defence.
Then, just before the half-time whistle, an event that I had not witnessed before. The referee penalised a Stockbridge player for taking too long to take a throw-in, giving Sporting the throw instead. Whilst I don't like to see teams wasting time on throw-ins, goal-kicks etc, I'm not a big fan of this new rule. It just leads to more calls to the referee to penalise the opposition every time the ball goes out of play.
HT Sporting Wessex 1 Stockbridge 1. A half of few clear cut chances at either end. Two well-matched teams slugging it out. Sporting's admirable propensity for playing around at the back, with Powell acting as an additional defender, is dangerous at times. They take a lot of risks.
A late Stockbridge corner is cleared As with the first half, there were few chances early on in the second. It took eight minutes before Sporting created an opportunity with some good work down their left. This released Zach Hesp inside the left-hand side of the penalty area with a clear sight of the goal. Unfortunately for the winger, the ball too a little hop just as he was about to strike, making him send the ball wide of the target.
Hesp was involved again just after the hour when he slid across a ball into the path of Roles and a rare clear-cut chance. However, Chaplin was across quickly to make the block with his feet.
With just over 20 minutes remaining Wessex substitute Sam Mears saw his shot deflected wide but that, for a while, saw the pendulum swing towards the visitors.
The Robins began to exert some pressure on Sporting. In the 75th minute Jonny Martin, who had been introduced on the right flank, did well to create a little space before feeding the ball into the right side of the penalty area for Chris Pye. The striker had to stretch to get a shot off, diverting the ball across goal but without enough pace to trouble Powell.
As Stockbridge ramped things up Keenan Farrant was called upon to make a very good last ditch block to keep out Ryan Sanger and then, with 10 minutes to go, the visitors produced possibly the best passing move of the game which culminated in Pye, just inside the box, getting off a shot under pressure that flew over Powell's crossbar.
At this point it felt that if anyone was going to grab a winner it would be Stockbridge but Sporting were having none of that. They rolled up their sleeves and came back at their visitors. Another substitute, Kieran Brockway, did well on the right before clipping over a cross with the outside of his right foot. The ball found Sam Beale who met it with a powerful header that beat Chaplin but thundered off the underside of the bar and was hacked away. A couple of minutes later, Sporting created another half-chance but this time a ball across the face of goal was inches too far ahead of Matt Harrington's lunge.
So, after looking like they had run out of steam, Sporting came very close to nicking it at the death. That said, when the referee blew the final whistle, it felt like a draw was the right result.
FT Sporting Wessex 1 Stockbridge 1. A hard fought game with a limited amount of clear-cut opportunities. In all honesty, as a neutral, it felt as if both sides lacked a cutting edge. Maybe it was more down to two well-organised defences, but often the final ball seemed to be missing. Nevertheless, it was good game to watch and well worth the 150-mile round trip.
Next up Stockbridge take a trip to the New Forest to take on Sway before taking on current leaders, Andover Town, at home on Tuesday. Sporting do not have a game at the weekend, but travel to BTC Southampton on Wednesday.
Sporting Wessex: Powell, Davies, K.Farrant, N.Farrant(c), Toomer, Tonner, Hesp, Williams, Baker, Beale, Roles. Subs: Mears, Harrington, Brider, Abrahams, Brockway
Stockbridge: Chaplin, Pike, Bailey, Sanger, Charles, Newbury(c), Osbourne, Mortimer, Pye, Bourne, Stevenson. Subs: White, Scrimiger, Plowman, Miles, Martin
Hesp was involved again just after the hour when he slid across a ball into the path of Roles and a rare clear-cut chance. However, Chaplin was across quickly to make the block with his feet.
With just over 20 minutes remaining Wessex substitute Sam Mears saw his shot deflected wide but that, for a while, saw the pendulum swing towards the visitors.
The Robins began to exert some pressure on Sporting. In the 75th minute Jonny Martin, who had been introduced on the right flank, did well to create a little space before feeding the ball into the right side of the penalty area for Chris Pye. The striker had to stretch to get a shot off, diverting the ball across goal but without enough pace to trouble Powell.
As Stockbridge ramped things up Keenan Farrant was called upon to make a very good last ditch block to keep out Ryan Sanger and then, with 10 minutes to go, the visitors produced possibly the best passing move of the game which culminated in Pye, just inside the box, getting off a shot under pressure that flew over Powell's crossbar.
At this point it felt that if anyone was going to grab a winner it would be Stockbridge but Sporting were having none of that. They rolled up their sleeves and came back at their visitors. Another substitute, Kieran Brockway, did well on the right before clipping over a cross with the outside of his right foot. The ball found Sam Beale who met it with a powerful header that beat Chaplin but thundered off the underside of the bar and was hacked away. A couple of minutes later, Sporting created another half-chance but this time a ball across the face of goal was inches too far ahead of Matt Harrington's lunge.
So, after looking like they had run out of steam, Sporting came very close to nicking it at the death. That said, when the referee blew the final whistle, it felt like a draw was the right result.
FT Sporting Wessex 1 Stockbridge 1. A hard fought game with a limited amount of clear-cut opportunities. In all honesty, as a neutral, it felt as if both sides lacked a cutting edge. Maybe it was more down to two well-organised defences, but often the final ball seemed to be missing. Nevertheless, it was good game to watch and well worth the 150-mile round trip.
Next up Stockbridge take a trip to the New Forest to take on Sway before taking on current leaders, Andover Town, at home on Tuesday. Sporting do not have a game at the weekend, but travel to BTC Southampton on Wednesday.
Sporting Wessex: Powell, Davies, K.Farrant, N.Farrant(c), Toomer, Tonner, Hesp, Williams, Baker, Beale, Roles. Subs: Mears, Harrington, Brider, Abrahams, Brockway
Stockbridge: Chaplin, Pike, Bailey, Sanger, Charles, Newbury(c), Osbourne, Mortimer, Pye, Bourne, Stevenson. Subs: White, Scrimiger, Plowman, Miles, Martin
Oakwood Park Rec.
The Ground
Oakwood Park Recreation Ground is situated between Otterbourne and Shawford, just off the M3 between Winchester and
Eastleigh. It was the home of Colden Common before they moved up a division and began a ground-share with Winchester City. Located on the edge of a small estate, parking at the ground is quite limited. There is parking available in the nearby streets but the club are keen for visitors to ensure they park responsibly so as not to annoy their neighbours.
There's a small clubhouse next to the car park with white fencing and hard-standing along this side of the ground. The opposite side of the ground is open apart from the line of trees backing the far goal.
The playing surface looked to be pretty much flat with no discernible slope. Although dry, given the recent harsh weather, the pitch looked to be in pretty good shape.
Ground Number: 491
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Oakwood Park Recreation Ground is situated between Otterbourne and Shawford, just off the M3 between Winchester and
Eastleigh. It was the home of Colden Common before they moved up a division and began a ground-share with Winchester City. Located on the edge of a small estate, parking at the ground is quite limited. There is parking available in the nearby streets but the club are keen for visitors to ensure they park responsibly so as not to annoy their neighbours.
There's a small clubhouse next to the car park with white fencing and hard-standing along this side of the ground. The opposite side of the ground is open apart from the line of trees backing the far goal.
The playing surface looked to be pretty much flat with no discernible slope. Although dry, given the recent harsh weather, the pitch looked to be in pretty good shape.
Ground Number: 491
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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