After a disappointing 2025/26 season, Fareham launched the new league campaign in very positive fashion as five different players got onto the score sheet against newly promoted Havant at Henry Cort on Saturday. The visitors lost just once in 24 matches last season but they were given an early indication that life will be harder at a higher level. Meanwhile five goals in a game was Fareham’s best goalscoring return since January last year when they scored one more at Wycombe.

There were some new faces in the Fareham line-up with Alba Browning-Sanchez, Lucy Conway, Anne Eadie and Tilly Wimshurst all making their league debuts and Hannah Ward was back in black after her return from University. Overall it was a strong squad of fifteen although amongst the temporary absentees were Alicia Salter and Annabel McGrath from the heart of midfield.

The opening minutes were quiet but that all changed once Fareham seized the initiative and won the first of four penalty corners in the first quarter. From that first PC, in the 7th minute, they opened the scoring. Eleanor Pybus picked out LAUREN BEAGRIE who neatly steered the ball past the Havant keeper from close range.

Two minutes later the hosts doubled their advantage from another PC. Abbey Carroll and Sam Powell began the move before the ball was partially cleared to HANNAH WARD who alertly retrieved the ball before shooting between the keeper and post to open her account.

Havant re-organised themselves following the two early setbacks and they were encouraged by their first PC at the end of the quarter. Although nothing came from it they almost reduced the deficit straight from the start of the 2nd quarter when Kate Cudbertson broke through the Fareham back line until Sophia Barclay halted her progress with a well-timed challenge before Tara Lemon cleared the danger.

The visitors continued to patiently probe for an opening until Kendra Druce stole the ball to launch a Fareham attack. After good work by Alba Browning-Sanchez and Tilly Wimshurst this led to another Fareham PC. Shortly afterwards Eleanor Pybus forced a good save from the keeper leading to a long corner with Lois Haigh setting up another shot for Hannah Ward which was just wide.

Although the home side did not add to their tally before half-time they moved the ball well to create chances with Anne Eadie orchestrating much of the play in midfield.

So far so good at half-time but it was only a job half done. This was emphasised when Havant started strongly again with Kate Cudbertson shooting wide in the opening seconds of the 3rd quarter. The next ten minutes were probably their strongest period of the game. They strung together some good passes down the right side to win a PC in the 41st minute but the final shot was palmed away by Sophia for another long corner.

The visitors looked to have been awarded a lifeline in the 46th minute after a pass from Kate Cudbertson set up a chance for Isabel Wiles to the left of the goal. Sophia quickly came out to challenge and although there was very little contact the ball remained under her pads as she fell to the ground and Havant were awarded a penalty stroke. It was Kate Cudbertson who took the stroke but Sophia made amends by comfortably saving the shot with her left hand.

It was to prove costly for Havant as the momentum began to swing back in Fareham’s favour and they capitalized with a perfectly timed goal in the 52nd minute with the seconds ticking away in the quarter. It started with a patient build-up around the back before Lois Haigh hit a long pass from within her own half to Kendra Druce down the left side. The ball was played in to Eleanor Pybus on the edge of the ‘D.’ She made some room for herself before taking a low reverse shot which was guided inside the far post from the subtlest of deflections by ISSIE CHAPMAN.

After having the edge for most of the quarter it was a hammer blow for Havant and they began the final period three goals in arrears. Matters were to get worse as the home side extended their lead with ten minutes to go. Alba Browning-Sanchez worked hard on the right to start off the move before play was switched inside to Lois Haigh who in turn sent a pass through to Issie Chapman. Turning in the ‘D’ and beating two defenders, Issie slipped the ball across the goal to LUCY CONWAY who had moved to just the right spot at the far post to score from close range.

The next couple of minutes play took considerably longer in real time as things got a bit feisty. First Havant picked up a card and then Poppy Herbert took advantage of a mistake at the top of the ‘D’ to win a second Havant penalty stroke followed by a yellow card for Tara Lemon. It did not look a deliberate foul but with no other defender nearby and the Havant forward heading in the direction of goal the umpire possibly felt she had no choice but to award a yellow.

HOLLY ILLING took over penalty duties for Havant and she duly converted the stroke in the 61st minute with a low shot under Sophia’s pads.

If the goal gave the away side a glimmer of hope it was extinguished completely with six minutes remaining after another Fareham PC. Issie Chapman received the injection and delivered a perfect return to the far post where SAM POWELL stretched in to deflect the ball high into the roof of the net to complete the scoring.

As always there are things we can work on and improve but after our scoring difficulties and struggles at home last season this was a very satisfying start with some good passing play and plenty of goals shared throughout the team. It is very early days and we will have a better idea of where we stand after we’ve played some of the better sides from last season. Our first away trip next week is to Henley (11.45) who will be a good benchmark of our progress so far.