Ticket price will be £10 and includes a free drink. Tickets are available from the captains.

The menu includes:

2 x Starters = Spare Ribs and Chicken Wings (Prawn crackers are free)

3 x Main = Beef Curry, Roast Pork cantonese style, Sweet n Sour Chicken

Noodles and special fried rice

See you there!

After a nail biting match, the US Girls clinched victory in dying seconds of their game against Portsmouth and Southsea 2nds.  This provided US with their first win of the season, a fitting reward for the dedication they have shown through weekly training sessions and matches.   The team are starting to gel producing sound passes and movement patterns on the pitch.  Portsmouth and Southsea were the first to score but the US ladies did not let this dishearten them, in fact it only made them more determined to score.  Georgina Stanistreet provided some lovely strong runs up the right wing feeding the ball into the D on numerous occasions, eventually feeding the perfect pass for Becky Rhodes, who scored with a flourish equalising the game.  Once again the girls had everything to play for.  Strong communication coupled with excellent defence prevented Portsmouth and Southsea from scoring any further goals.   In the last 10 minutes of the game US upped the work rate, piling on the pressure and were rewarded with a short corner on the final whistle.  Knowing that this was their last chance to score, the whole team lined up around the D eager to win.  A fast drag out from Becky Rhodes found Emily Williams who fired the ball at the keeper, this was saved, however Amy Summers managed to catch hold of the rebound and place the ball neatly over the line giving a final score of 2:1.    Player of the match was awarded to Lisa Rees who stepped in at the last minute to play Goal Keeper and made a number of crucial saves during the match. Well done ladies!

Goal Scorers: Rebecca Rhodes and Amy Summers

With several key players missing, Services’ Masters had a tough away fixture at Alton, but still hoped to continue their recent unbeaten run.  It was always going to be a difficult game against a team recently relegated from Div 2 and so it proved as Alton took all the points in a comprehensive 2-0 victory.

Alton showed their class as Services chased the game from the start and were unable to prevent the home side from taking the lead mid-way through the first half.  Despite working hard, a disjointed Services team struggled to compete.  Only good saves from stalwart keeper Millie Dewar (proving to be a real asset again this season) kept a well-drilled Alton side at bay.  But the lead was doubled just before half-time when slack Services marking allowed Alton to take an easy goal to effectively secure the points.   After the break, a more cohesive Services’ side battled hard to try to get back into the game and were unlucky not to score.   With Alton still pushing forward for more goals, Services’ defensive skills were being severely tested as the half progressed.  However, Alton were unable to find a way past the in-form Dewar and his defence who managed to keep the final score at 2-0.

Services next match is against touring side Warlocks in a friendly game next Sunday which should give Steve Eversfield’s side time to regroup and plan for future fixtures.

United Services’ Ladies playing only their second League fixture, gained their first point of the season following a battling display against Yately in a closely contested match at an unusually warm Burnaby Road.   Services’ Ladies were hampered by losing their keeper to an injury early in the first half, but despite this disadvantage, they took the lead from a short corner following a good injection from Sarah Barnes which enabled Hayley Armstrong to deflect the ball into the goal.  1-0 to Services’ Ladies.  Buoyed by this early lead, they fought hard to maintain their advantage, attacking and defending in numbers to ensure the lead was retained at half time.   The second half tested the Portsmouth side’s fitness levels and a momentary lapse in concentration resulted in Yately scoring a break-away goal to level the score at 1-1.  With both team’s unable to break down the opposition’s defence, the game ended with the score at 1-1, giving a jubilant Services’ Ladies team a valuable point.   ‘Player of the Match’ was awarded to Sarah Barnes who held the Services’ midfield together whilst constantly attacking the opposition’s defence, driving powerful shots across the D, creating numerous opportunities for her side.   Services’ Ladies are starting to gel and play as a cohesive unit; with more training and match experience, they show the ability to start winning games.

USHC Masters took on Newbury and Thatcham (N&T) hoping to continue their unbeaten start  to the season.  After a hard-fought encounter they ended up taking maximum points in an open, attacking game at Burnaby Road.  From the start Services found it difficult to break down a strong N&T side who were relying on long balls and counter attacking on the break.   Both sides were guilty of squandering chances in an evenly balanced first half; although Services had to thank stalwart keeper Millie Dewar for a superb reaction save late on, ensuring both sides went in goalless at half-time.

Despite midfielders Nigel Buckley and ‘Chilli’ Chilton constantly prompting Services’ forwards,  the early stages of the second half were much the same as the first, with both sides cancelling out each others’ efforts.  Unfortunately, with Services pushing hard to break down a resilient N&T defence, they left themselves exposed defensively and were caught out by a break away goal to give N&T a 1-0 lead.  This galvanised Services who stepped up their work rate.  With Bryan Richards and Paul Dunn combining well and causing increasing problems down the right wing, the pressure on N&T was mounting.   Following an intricate passing move between Chilton and Buckley, the ball fell to Rob O’Kane who ghosted past a N&T defender then slipped the ball to Daz Bendell who fired home the equaliser.  Bendell’s celebration was reported to be better than the goal!   With time running out and both sides pushing for the winning goal, Services’ experience told when a well-timed tackle and pass from Phil Wing released Buckley who drove deep into the N&T defence before slipping the ball to O’Kane who took two defenders with him before firing across goal to Bryan Richards whose deft touch past the N&T keeper gave Services a deserved 2-1 win.  They say it’s a sign of a good team when they can win when playing ‘below par’ and that was the case today!

Next week brings another top of the League clash when Services are away at Alton, who are one point below Services.