After a difficult league campaign, Fareham Ladies’ 1s responded in the best way possible by decisively winning the Hampshire Cup Final 4-1 against the home side, Basingstoke. Although the story came to a climax on a wet May Day Bank Holiday it began a fortnight earlier at Henry Cort …

SEMI FINAL
After a month since their previous match Fareham showed a few signs of rustiness in the first few minutes before taking control and cruising to a convincing 7-0 home victory over Southampton. Goalscoring had been a particular problem during the league season and such a decisive semi final victory brought a huge boost in confidence.

Like many members of the side, ISABEL AUSTIN has shown some of her best form in the closing weeks of the season and she opened the scoring in the 12th minute when putting away a rebound after Lydia Jackson’s shot was saved. Two minutes later Lydia was again involved in the buildup as her incisive pass found Georgia Collins who set up the second goal for ALICIA CAILLARD.

A penalty corner in the 28th minute brought goal number three as AIMEE TIMMS scored with a strong shot from a penalty corner after an exchange of passes with Alice Lander. Three minutes later it was 4-0 as ISABEL AUSTIN was on the scoresheet again, converting a cross from the right.

There was no let up after the half time break as IMOGEN LEWIS scored from a rebound after her initial effort was denied in the 37th minute to open her account for the 1s in only her second first team game. She was also involved in the next goal in the 46th minute. Alicia Caillard crossed from the left to Imogen at the far post. Her shot was partially parried by the keeper and HOLLIE SMITH was on hand to make certain by volleying in the rebound. With one minute remaining HOLLIE SMITH added her second goal with a shot from the left side of the ‘D’

FINAL
A large contingent from Fareham made their way to Basingstoke on finals day, braving the inhospitable weather to watch four Fareham teams contesting three finals. The home side was a familiar opponent as we were both in conference west of the national league this season. It was a great frustration that we only picked up one point from those two matches and we were determined to make amends.

Although the weather was miserable, spirits were soon lifted by the positive way that Fareham began the final.

They were rewarded with the opening goal in the 5th minute. The home side retreated into their area under strong pressure and a quick pass from Aimee Timms found ISABEL AUSTIN in a central position. Although surrounded by defenders, she was able to make room and finish with a clever reverse shot.

Basingstoke had the first penalty corner of the match but this was dealt with comfortably and the Fareham lead was doubled in the 11th minute. Once again the home side packed the ‘D’ with defenders but the ball was patiently moved around to create an opening. Alice Lander’s teasing cross, from the right, across the face of the goal was met by a sliding SARAH ATKINSON at the far post, scoring less than thirty seconds after her arrival on the pitch as a substitute.

The visitors came close to a third in the 23rd minute when Sarah Atkinson crossed from the right, pressuring a Basingstoke defender into putting the ball into the goal but there was no Fareham touch in the ‘D’. Shortly afterwards, good work on the right by Annabel Vigar and Alicia Caillard set up a short from Sarah Atkinson which just passed the wrong side of the far post.

After another spell of pressure, good work by Poppy Roddis brought Fareham a penalty corner in the 26th minute and this led to another goal. AIMEE TIMMS received a return pass from Lauren Beagrie before scoring with a low shot to make it 3-0.

Up to this point Basingstoke had offered little threat but they showed some signs of a threat late in the half. Sophia Barclay had to make her first save in the 29th minute and from the resulting PC a shot was deflected over the bar.

Fareham regained control and had some half chances as the half drew to a close. Libby Jones and Georgia Collins had shots on goal and a reverse shot from Isabel Austin flashed just wide of the far post.

However, it was the home side who had the last opportunity of the half in the 34th minute. Pressure from a penalty corner produced a double save from Sophia Barclay but there was nothing she or the other defenders could do to prevent ROXANNE RECORD scoring from the final rebound with a powerful reverse strike to give Basingstoke a lifeline.

It had mostly been a comfortable first half for Fareham who were easily the better side for the majority of the time, however the hosts had shown their best form in the final moments of the half and the visitors knew that it was important that they did not concede the next goal.

The second half began similarly to the first with most of the action in the Basingstoke half. The first chance came in the 41st minute. Georgia Collins fed the ball through to Sarah Atkinson who ran into the ‘D’ and took the ball round the keeper but she was denied a goal by a desperate goal line clearance from a defender.

After a long period of Fareham pressure, Basingstoke had an opportunity from a quick break in the 50th minute which uncharacteristically caught the visitors short of cover. It led to a PC but Sophia comfortably saved the resulting shot.

Normal service was resumed and a Fareham PC four minutes later produced another good opportunity to extend the lead. Shots from Aimee Timms and Tara Lemon were blocked before Isabel Austin’s effort was deflected over the bar for a long corner.

By the 61st minute there was no real doubt about the outcome but the visitors wanted to add a second half goal to emphasize their superiority. After another period of sustained pressure Alicia Caillard found Hollie Smith just outside the ‘D’. With a neat touch Hollie took two defenders out of the play before angling a pass across the goal. It just evaded the touch of Georgia Collins but POPPY RODDIS was on hand at the far post to apply the finishing touch.

At 4-1 it was now all over. Fareham kept looking for more goals though and they came close with their final opportunity in the 68th minute. A defence-splitting forty yard pass out of defence by Katie Paxman sent Sarah Atkinson clear. She was driven wide by the keeper but still managed to have a shot on goal. However, the keeper just did enough to get a touch on the shot to divert it wide for a corner.

It was a dominating performance which everyone on the team can be proud of. They deserve so much credit for the way that they have kept battling throughout the season and maintained a wonderful team spirit and togetherness despite the difficulties they have faced. The cup results have reinvigorated the squad and have shown that we are still a very good side and will hopefully be able to make a strong challenge in the league next season.