In blustery conditions and with a couple of new faces in the line up the Mens 3rd team faced a youthful and pacey Southampton University side at Furze Lane. Umpired by Pete Hayward and a Southampton University representative and the game began with intensity and the pace was high.

The first goal was scored by Southampton after Portsmouth were caught on the break trying to capitalise early themselves leaving the home side caught too high and left short at the back and conceded. The Portsmouth goalkeeper working hard in the early stages to clear his lines as the defence settled into the game. Southampton were effective in blocking Portsmouth's outlets leaving the defence attempting to thread the ball through under pressure.

Portsmouth started to settle into the game and fought back hard with a couple of opportunities on the left side with Tristan Barnes driving down the line which led to a short corner. Jack Boswell pushed out, Owen Barnes stopped the ball and Paul Barnes flicked in the equaliser from the top of the D to make it 1-1.

The away team fought back and Alex Love tried to contain the Uni's fast right forward but it wasn't long before the Portsmouth defence were under pressure again all working hard and spurning chances. Dan Hayward working hard to shield the ball and keep possession but Southampton took advantage of a gap down the left which created space for them to net their second.

James Payne continued run and run in midfield to try to stop Southampton controlling the centre of the pitch with a calm Chris Wimshurst stepping in behind him to cover gaps. Again Portsmouth rallied and fought back with the most senior of the the Barnes on the field using individual skill to beat a couple of players before an instinctive flick into the left side of the net making it 2-2.

The game was becoming end to end but a distinct period of Southampton pressure led Southampton to successive short corners before the interval but they didn't convert the opportunities due to notable blocks, stops and running from James Martin, Tristan Barns, Alex Love and Chris Wimshurst.

At half time Captain Alex Love and Coach Chris Wimshurst gave some critic and honest advice to the squad on how to drive on and win the game.

In the Second Half the purple's battered the Uni's goal in the early stages and a ball from James Martin made it easy for Paul Barnes to latch onto his rebounded effort to snatch a third to make it 3-2

Portsmouth could smell victory and remained offensive. Jack Boswell and Dan Hayward caused mayhem down the right side.

Tristan Barnes was still working hard on the left and beat his marker and drove forward to play the ball to his tricky younger brother Owen Barnes at the top of the D who beat 2 players and squared the pass to his dad who smashed it in from the top to seal the 4th and the winning goal.

In an effort to slow things down and keep the lead Paul was green carded for a sweeping back stick and faced a brief penalty of 3 minutes on the side and with a man down Southampton scored a scrappy late third.

Man of the Match was jointly awarded to Owen Barnes and Paul Barnes.

Wally of the week went a bit harshly to Dan Snelling for his later than planned arrival due to a very flat back tyre on his bicycle!

PHC 4 - 3 Southampton University