Some match reports were sent in last year by various people which is always appreciated, so if you are a bit nostalgic click the different team links. Scores are in brackets numbers at end of teams represent side.

Men's 1st XI 07/10/00 Old Cranleighans (0) Fareham (3)
Men's 1st XI Fareham (0) V Wimbledon (4)
Men's 1st XI HA Cup Old Loutonians (5) V Fareham (0)
Men's 1st XI Purley(0) V Fareham (4)
2nd XI Old Holcombeans (3) V Fareham (1)
ladies 1st XI 18/11/00 Fareham (0) V Aldershot & Farnham 2 (0)
ladies 1st XI 02/12/00 Fareham (3) V Romsey 2 (1)

Old Cranleigans (0) V Fareham (3)
7th October 2000

Squad: Warriner,Mutley,Lemmo,Dec,Kingo,Gonz,Frippy,Colin(the Great England International),Pete,Scotty,Stainer,Woody
Scorers: Steve King (2), Tim Stainer 1

An under strength Fareham traveled into a wet London for another tough game. After the disappointing draw with Chichester in the first league game of the season Fareham had to regain their confidence. What better way than to score from their first short corner. Kingo injected to Lemmo who stopped for Scotty to strike, OC's number 1 runner got his stick to the shot and deflected in to Kingo who slap home the first goal of the game and set Fareham in control for the rest of the half. 5 minutes later and Fareham get the second short corner of the game and Kingo pops up to edge in the second goal.
Fareham defended will against a strong willed opposition who have recently had an up and coming player by the name of John Shaw join to add to their international ranks. The half time whistle gave a Fareham side a well deserved rest from this high paced game on a quick surface.

The second half started with OC's pressing forward to cramp Fareham's back four passing the ball to control the game-another 4-5 5 yard passes helped Fareham work the ball out of tight corners when the press was on. OC's pressed for most of the second half and started winning short corners. Micky Warriner having one of his best games for the club stopped everything OC's could throw at him-even saving a good Lemmo attempt to pass to their forward 2 yards off the line !!! In open play when OC's did work the ball out to the left post big Micky plucked all shots with his left hand. With 15 minutes to go the ball again broke for Fareham and a quick succession of passed gave Tim Stainer the ball heading into the D. Gonz had ran 50yds to support him-causing the OC's defence to avoid committing to the tackle but Tim was in control and with the keeper and 2 defenders around him slotted the ball past the upright keeper. This took most of the wind out of the sails of the home side who were now looking for a consolation goal.

Highlights of the game: 2 goals from Kingo...whats happening there !!!!!! a 10 pass move which had stainer diving for a deflection which would have gone down in History as one of the best in the 1st teams history Pete and Woody playing a very important role for the team-all the hard work by Jonesey,Cookey and Godders paying very good dividends Frippy being happy to see John Shaw resulting to stick tackling him. The midfield controlling the game The Great Colin Bradbury-what can we say-which pocket was shaw in ???? Answers on a postcard to...... Scotty stick hackerling Kingo as he was taking the ball out of the D No can This week.....Next weeks home game against Maidenhead has a potential 2 can surprise for an individual from the Chichester game.....

PS- a spectator looked quite impressed with the team...almost wanting to join the club-obviously we could only offer him a position on the bench of the 2nd's and if lucky, showing the commitment and working very hard may one day make the 1st XI.

Fareham (0) V Wimbledon (4)

An early goal for the visitors set the game tempo and a frustrated Fareham side could not use the advantage of the home ground or their short corners to challenge the lead. A strong Wimbledon team cleverly broke the play down around midfield to stop the Fareham's flowing game to take shape. Wimbledon continued this style and survived a potential yellow card. The goals came every 15 minutes and Wimbledon went away with a well deserved 3 points.

HA Cup Old Loutonians (5) V Fareham (0)

With Old Louts not having the greatest start of the season the Fareham camp were hoping to cat amongst the pigeons with an early strike. Unfortunately the structured build up of OLout's won them a short corner and from that a 1-0 lead. Fareham immediately ran the ball to the other end and missed by 12 inches to set the game alight. 2 goals came from open play as Old Lout's continued their pressure and breaking away to find Nicky Thompson free in the D and another well worked short corner. 2 further goals in open play before half time sealed the game. Fareham took the game to Old Lout's in the second half but could find the chances normally arriving during a league game. The second half ended in 0-0 and Old Lout's moved comfortably into the next round.

Purley (1) V Fareham (4)

A very different team walked onto the pitch knowing that nothing less than 3 points would do to stay in the race for the title. Fareham started very hard and fast and spend the first half embedded in Purleys half with only a couple of break away attacks causing concern. 4-5 chances were squandered and with the score 0-0 the second half looked to be very interesting. Fareham took the lead with an open play attack from a Purley short corner with the right half finishing nicely from a tight angle. The spectators saw some very good passing and movement off the ball for the second goal and another break from Purleys increasing pressure gave Fareham a third. Purley pressed very well for 15 minutes and got a deserved goal as they pinned Fareham into their 25.. Their press for a second goal was to be their downfall, 6 quick passes saw the fourth goal and the end of Purleys fightback as they tried to run at the ever steady Fareham midfield and defence. A final word, the umpires were extremely good and consistent with their decisions on a very quick but uneven surface.

Old Holcombeans (3) V Fareham (1)

Reduced to 11 men through late withdrawal's and with Owen Dicker taken ill during the warm-up (the warm-up itself reduced to 10 minutes at the insistence of local officials), Fareham were up against it from the the start. Facing a strong and experienced Holcombe side, Fareham, with 7 teenagers, acquitted themselves well, growing in confidence as the game progressed and enjoying their best moments in the last twenty minutes.

From the start Holcombe did not let Fareham settle on the ball and scored two goals midway through the half, both conversions being into the roof of the net. The second half saw Fareham greatly improve and fitness and passing started to trouble Holcombe. However, as Fareham chased the game Holcombe secured a third goal, placing a rebound over the prone Warrener. From the re-start a slick passing move finally culminated in a goal for Fareham through Chris Cole. A shot blazed over the bar by McInally moments later would have made for an interesting closing period if it had been converted.

In similar circumstances in previous seasons such a young team would have found it difficult to stand up to the physical presence alone of Holcombe. It was never an issue in this game and with senior players due to return over coming weeks the season and return fixture with Holcombe look encouraging.

Fareham (0) V Aldershot & Farnham 2 (0)
Saturday 18th November
by Louise Hall

Remaining unbeaten since the start of this season, the ladies team were aware that the pressure was on. The opposition, Aldershot and Farnham 2, have provided some fierce competition in the past, and it was clear that as they were aware of our top position in the league, they were not prepared to sacrifice anything for us! Memories of an aggressive game last year, combined with recollections of a somewhat 'individual' umpire, meant that the team had to keep their cool, and put 110% effort in. The weather was appalling which didn't help, but nevertheless the team were in good spirits and set out to play with positive attitudes.
The atmosphere between teams was somewhat friendlier than last year, although no change in the style of the umpire. To say he couldn't get up and down the pitch fast enough, spent lots of time chatting to his team, frequently getting in the way and seemed to make numerous incorrect decisions, may seem unfair, but is amazingly true. (and I am clearly not referring to Jim here, who did his usual superb job). Initially, we were outplayed, as we could not achieve consistency, or put our training drills into practice.
As time passed, we became more involved and finally started to show why we are at the top. Excellent play by Maggie up front unfortunately did not result in a goal, but it wasn't for lack of trying. Linda and Lauren, in more defensive roles, played brilliantly and also ensured our opponents struggled with getting the ball in the net. Some tactical play by Jane and Jenny also led to a number of chances, but it appeared that it was not in our fate to score. A final 0-0 result reflected a tough game, our hardest so far, but also reiterated how versatile and committed the squad are this season.
We have some more challenging games on the way, and this match proved we cannot get complacent on our recent form. Full credit to all players who showed some fantastic individual skills, as well as good team work and alertness.

Fareham (3) V Romsey 2 (1)
Saturday 2nd December 2000

For the first time this season, the weather was not bad. No rain, or much wind, and even the sun was shining! Was this a bad thing? Having played in the worst conditions for the previous eight games, which we had won, and with a diminished squad of only twelve players, could this signal the end of our excellent form of late? We went into the game with high expectations, our opponents being Romsey 2, who do not usually pose a threat to the team. However, it was clear from the start that this was not going to be an easy game, since we just could not work as a team, or utilise any of our individual skills to any effect.

To say that the first half was a complete nightmare was an understatement, and when a predominantly young and weak Romsey team scored a goal, the nightmare rapidly became reality. At half time, the team really got together and after a tough discussion, we knew what we had to do. The opposition were one of the weakest we had played (even the iron lady in defence should not have posed a problem) yet we were playing down to their level, and not playing our game. Gradually we got our heads together and began to show what we could do. Once we were back on track, there was no stopping us, and the final 3-1 result was well deserved. It could have been so different, and it was good that we managed to redeem ourselves. Everyone would agree that no-one played their best, with the exception of Katie who did an excellent job in goal.

Unfortunately, the attitude of the opposing umpire made the game practically impossible for all. Numerous wrong decisions for both sides, added to nearly sending Louise off for 'bad' stick tackles (what I did wrong no-one knows), repeatedly reprimanding Linda for who knows what, and screaming at Jenny 'I wont have backchat on my pitch' when he was in the wrong, just reinforced how appalling the game was (which game was he watching anyway?) All players became very agitated, and the stress on the pitch (some more than others) was unreal. The final straw was when we were told we ought to learn the rules of hockey before we played (quite funny considering he clearly didn't know them, and frequently waited for the players to make his decisions about short corners etc.). All in all, not a very impressive game, especially considering the fact that it was a league game, but we won nevertheless, which was the main thing.

One positive thing that came out of it was that both teams bonded well because of the situation, and the team can now go into next week's tough match against Yateley with the knowledge that things can only get better!!!! Louise's team awards -

MOST STRESSED PLAYER - Louise(clearly upset umpire in a previous life)
PLAYER OF THE DAY - Katie (as stand in goalie)
WORST PERFORMANCE - Their umpire
BEST BACKCHATTER! - Jenny
PLAYER WHO KEPT THEIR COOL - Maggie
BEST GOAL - Maggie/Jenny combination
BEST TEAM TALK ADVICE - Linda/Maggie
BEST UMPIRE - Kim (do I need to write this) Rest of the squad who remained unaffected by the situation but played their hearts out: Paula, Lauren, Ruth, Jane, Hannah, Katherine, Debbie, Linda.

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