Sport
Winchester City FC vs Sittingbourne FC – FA Trophy 2nd Round
The cup-tie was a dramatic event, ending in a penalty shootout that will live long in the memory of the almost 500 attendees, with many being traveling Sittingbourne fans.

Both teams had the potential to make history, with Winchester only reaching the third round once before, and Sittingbourne yet to achieve the feat.
Sittingbourne came into the match favourites, winning their prior seven games in a row and sitting comfortably in the top three of the Isthmian League South.
While Winchester were on the road to recovery after an injury-ridden start to the season left them with just one win in 11 in the league. However, their form was picking up in recent games, winning three of their last four.

The first half was all Winchester, with Sittingbourne only able to muster up chances through long throws and corners.
Winchester’s Luka Chalwell took the lead only a minute before the half time whistle with a neat chip over Sittingbourne’s Harley Earle.
But Winchester will be disappointed that their lead at half time was only by one given their dominance.
Sittingbourne turned the game on its head in the second half, getting a number of early chances and putting real pressure on the Winchester backline.
In the 80th minute the frustration got the better of Winchester’s Jamie Barron, who put his arm round the neck of an opposing player during a set piece, resulting in a penalty.
As soon as Mitchell May converted for Sittingbourne it felt like only a matter of time until they completed the comeback, with Winchester continually failing to string simple passes together.
The tension reached a boiling point in the 85th minute, with Winchester’s Dan Bradshaw kicking the ball at a Sittingbourne fan resulting in a fight between the teams.
The fight led to three red cards; a straight red for Dan Bradshaw, a second yellow for Jamie Barron and a straightred for Sittingbourne’s goalscorer Mitchell May.

The pressure only increased after Winchester were reduced to nine men, with Sittingbourne having countless efforts to win it, including a shot from 30 yards which smacked the post.
The FA Trophy lets the clubs decide whether to settle the game with extra time and penalties or just the latter, leading to some confusion in the stands near the 90th minute mark over what comes next.
The clubs both agreed to a shootout, with Winchester winning both coin tosses, going first in front of their home crowd.
Dan Jones missed the first penalty of the shootout for Winchester, and it gave Sittingbourne the platform they needed, as they had a flawless five in five record in the shootout.
The game finished 1-1 with Sittingbourne winning 5-4 on penalties.

Congratulations to Sittingbourne on their historic victory.
Next up for Winchester is a home fixture against Havant and Waterlooville in the league, where they look to drag themselves away from the relegation zone.
Sport
Billie Jean King – Battle of the Sexes – 1973

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.
Football
Ivan Juric leaves Southampton after earliest ever relegation

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.
Autism
Slopes that don’t discriminate at Solent Ski Club

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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WINOL 20 November 2018