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Record crowd see West’s late header earn Yachtsmen a draw against Petersfield

Taylor-James Greer

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Despite Ollie West’s late header with seven minutes to go, Cowes Sports have ended their season with a winless run of eight games.

Cowes have not won a game since mid-March, which was a 4-0 victory over Laverstock & Ford.

Petersfield Town took an early-lead through youngster Alex Hulme capitalising on a defensive mistake and slotting past keeper Edward Hatt to put the Rams ahead inside 20 minutes.

Chad Cornwell and Jo Houldsworth, who made his first start for Petersfield, came close to extending the lead just before half-time.

HT: Petersfield Town 1-0 Cowes Sports

Cowes controlled a majority of the second-half, but struggled to create chances.

As the action got back underway late on, after Cam Smith was forced off with injury, the Yachtsmen were level. A cross from the left was met by an unmarked West, who found the top corner.

FT: Petersfield Town 1-1 Cowes Sports

Petersfield Town manager Connor Hoare told WINOL after Saturday’s draw: “We looked much more of a better attacking threat today than we have in the last few weeks. We were on top and we were really pleased at half-time, but second-half they started to take control of the half.”

Assistant manager Callum Glen said: “I was disappointed with second-half performance. I thought we were excellent, the message at half-time was to repeat what we did in the first-half and we did not for whatever reason.

“If we want to be what we want to be next season we need to perform better, we lacked being clinical today. But, I thought Alex Hulme up-top and Jo [Houldsworth[, who is 16, both made their first start for the club and did well – their is plenty of positives to take from today.”

The fixture was played in front of a crowd of 420 spectators, a home record attendance this season.

Life under Connor Hoare and Callum Glen

Since the departure of Pat Suraci and Joe Lea, who both joined promotion challangers Gosport Borough. Horare, who was offered to rejoin the Boro’ in the summer, has been the man in the dug-out this season – has certainly done a remarkable Job.

The former Rams skipper has guided the club to a mid-table position, with the club initially being one of the favourites to be relegated. Petersfield enjoyed a decent FA Cup run, reaching the first qualifying round after beating Southern League side Bremerton Heath Harlequins in the process.

Former Moneyfields midfielder Glen was announced as player-assistant manager a few days after Suraci and Lea left, which certainly shocked Moneys boss Glenn Turnbull.

Glen made the most appearances for Moneys last season, who racked up over 100 appearances across his two spells at the club. He has made six starts for Petersfield.

Before Saturday’s game, Glen told Winol: “I have really enjoyed it, but you do not switch off – I was warned it was a 24/7, and it definitely is.

“It was something I have always wanted to do. If I did not do it now, I probably would have waited another five or six years. I was struggling with injury last season [at Moneyfields], so it came at the right time, I guess.

“I will not be going back to playing. I am happy what I did [as a player], I am happy I took the opportunity, it fitted in at the right time. “

What is next for the Rams?

Petersfield Town are back in action tonight in the Wessex Premier League as they travel to the Cams Alders, when they lock horns with Fareham Town – who have played nine games in 14 days.

One of those games being against the Rams, which ended in a 3-3 draw at Southdowns Builders Stadium.

The Creeksiders have picked up 13 points in those nine games – which has seen wins against league winners Moneyfields, Brockenhurst, Bournemouth and Hythe & Dibden.

A win for Petersfield would see them leapfrog Fareham, which could see the Rams finish 12th. But, for the Creeksiders they have the chance to finish ninth as they still have three games left to play.

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Billie Jean King – Battle of the Sexes – 1973

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This is a portrait of Billie Jean King, courtesy of Jonathan Exley - Billie Jean King Enterprises, Inc.

The year was 1973. The lights of the Houston Astrodome glared down on a tennis court that had become more than just a playing field — it was a stage for a cultural revolution.

Cameras flashed, tension buzzed in the air, and two players stepped onto the court — one a confident showman, the other a determined trailblaser carrying the hopes of millions.

As the first serve sliced through the air on that September evening, millions around the world weren’t just watching a tennis match — they were witnessing a fight for equality, respect, and change.

Billie Jean King is a legendary American tennis champion and advocate for gender equality whose career and impact extends far beyond the court.

With 39 Grand Slams titles and a historic victory in 1973, “Battle of the Sexes” match, she not only proved her athletic ability but also challenged stereotypes about women within the world of sport.

As a founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and a leader behind equal prize money, King became a powerful force for fairness and inclusion, later emerging as a voice for LGBTQ+ rights.

Her legacy as both a world class athlete and a fearless activist changed the game for generations to come.

The “Battle of the Sexes” was a famous match, between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, a former men’s champion who was adamant that men were superior athletes.

The match was played in front of more than 30,000 fans at the Houston Astrodome and watched by roughly 90 million people worldwide, the event was a both a sporting spectacle and a major milestone in the fight for gender equality.

Billie Jean King defeated Riggs in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3), this proved that women could compete in the highest level which inspired greater respect and opportunities for female athletes around the world.


The event’s impact was immediate. Women’s tennis surged in popularity, drawing new audiences, sponsorships, and media coverage. King used the momentum to push for lasting change.

This helped the US Open to become the first major tournament to offer equal pay. Her win also empowered a new generation of female athletes to come out and code and what was rightfully theirs.

More than five decades later, the Battle of the Sexes remains a cultural milestone.

It symbolised more than just a tennis match, it was a statement about equality, perseverance, and the power of sport to challenge societal norms.


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Ivan Juric leaves Southampton after earliest ever relegation

Lennie Teague

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Ivan Juric has left his role as Southampton first team manager following the club’s relegation on Sunday.

The Croatian joined the Saints on an 18-month deal in December following Russell Martin’s dismissal but lasted just 107 days in charge.

Juric oversaw just two victories in his 16 matches in charge with Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Tottenham confirming Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.

With seven matches still to play, Saints’ relegation is the earliest in Premier League history, breaking the joint-record set by Derby County and Huddersfield Town in 2007-08 and 2018-19 respectively, who both went down after 32 games.

The club confirmed the process of searching for a new manager is now under way and said: “With relegation to the Championship now confirmed, we believe it is important to give fans, players and staff some clarity on the future as we head into a very important summer.”

First team coach Simon Rusk is set to take charge of the team for the remainder of the season with player Adam Lallana to act as his assistant.

Southampton currently sit on 10 points at the bottom of the league and require a further two points to avoid breaking the record-low set by Derby County, who finished the 2007-08 season with 11 points.

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Autism

Slopes that don’t discriminate at Solent Ski Club

Guy Nicklinson

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Solent ski club has been providing adaptive skiing sessions for people with various disabilities for over 20 years.

Sessions take place on the second Sunday of every month at the Alpine Sports Centre in Southampton.

The club has been a charity since 2017. It is funded by member subscriptions, ski session fees and donations. 

Club Chairman, Peter Ramm said: “The aim of the club is to put a smile on their faces. Ultimately, we take a view that everyone has a disability when they come skiing because they put a plank of wood on their feet.”

Solent Ski Club hope their guidance can provide disabled skiers with more confidence and therefore greater independence and enjoyment when on the slopes.

Peter Ramm said: “The primary driver is safety, it’s about having enough people around them to ensure they can ski safely.”

The club also aims to develop the skiing knowledge and skills of all members.

Qualified ski instructors, trained ski guides and many volunteers are present at all sessions.

Florence Davies, a skier at the club said: “My favourite thing is probably getting to speak to and enjoy laughs with other people that share similar difficulties to me. Getting to know other people and finding my independence.”

Ellie Wheatley, another participant, who is partially deaf due to a condition called CMV which was passed onto her at birth by her mother, said: “It’s good for my confidence, it gives me opportunities to get out and interact with the wider world. There’s no sport where you’re at a height, you’ve fallen over half the time, but you’re still smiling at the end of it.”

Solent Ski Club look forward to January 18th, where they will take a group of their disability skiers on their annual trip to Folgaria in Italy, to enjoy the experience on real snow, in the mountains.

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