Fareham Ladies’ relegation worries are over – a 5-1 win at Barnes confirming South Women’s League Division 3B hockey will remain at Henry Cort next autumn.
Since losing to Eastbourne in mid-January, Fareham have won five of their eight matches to finish seventh – a creditable achievement after the initial struggles following last season’s Hampshire League title triumph.
But it’s not such good news for Southampton, who finished their programme with a 2-1 win over Wanderers but finished second from bottom.
The city girls have suffered a fourth relegation in five seasons and will swap places with Trojans II in the Hampshire League next term.
Vicky Field, whose post-Christmas return to the side from a shoulder injury has been the catalyst for Fareham’s enhanced form, fired her side into a 15th minute lead, which Emma Jones improved.
Maggie Kinder made it 3-0 soon after half-time before basement side Barnes clawed one back.
Joe Madeley nullified any prospect of a Barnes comeback with Fareham’s fourth to which Emily Masson added another with five minutes left.
Elated Fareham coach Steve Lemon enthused: “The girls have worked their socks off at training and on the pitch in recent weeks and thoroughly deserve a second crack in South League 3B hockey next term.”
But Roger Merry, his opposite number from Southampton, has a major rethink on his hands to try and halt the city club’s slide from South Division 1 into the Hampshire League in five seasons.
Southampton did at least end on a positive note with a victory over Wanderers, who tested home keeper Rosie Davis early on.
Nilea Bekker went close for Southampton, who took an early second half lead with a Lauren Carter short corner conversion.
Wanderers equalised, but ten minutes from time Sue Merry’s penalty corner was stopped by a defender’s foot on the line and the evergreen school teacher stepped up to score the winner from the ensuing stroke.
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