Horsefair FC

20/09/2026

Three in a row!!

Horsefair 7–3 Marchwood

Southampton Junior B Cup – First Round

Horsefair progressed to the second round of the Southampton Junior B Cup with a 7–3 victory over Marchwood, although the scoreline arguably flattered the hosts after a much closer contest than the final result suggests.

Horsefair started brightly and opened the scoring through Harvey Thomas. Good work through the middle created the opportunity, with Thomas finding himself in the right place at the right time to tap home from close range.

Marchwood showed plenty of threat going forward, particularly through the middle, with their pace causing Horsefair problems on several occasions. However, they were unable to make their chances count.

Horsefair doubled their advantage when a corner caused confusion in the Marchwood box. Two or three players challenged for the ball before it fell kindly to Sesay, who made no mistake from close range.

Despite leading 2–0 at the break, Horsefair were perhaps fortunate to have such a comfortable advantage, with Marchwood having created opportunities without finding the finish.

The second half began with Horsefair extending their lead. A throw-in was flicked on by Mitch Down, allowing Alfie Bennett to sprint clear. Bennett kept his composure and powered his finish past the goalkeeper to make it 3–0.

The game became increasingly scrappy as the half progressed, but Horsefair added a fourth when Down again caused problems through the middle. His work created space for Sesay, who was left with a clear opportunity and calmly finished for his second of the afternoon.

Marchwood finally got a goal with well worked goal through the middle.

Sesay almost completed his hat-trick moments later, turning quickly before firing just over the crossbar.

Adam Cooper then produced an excellent run through the middle, driving into the penalty area before being brought down. Sesay stepped up from the spot and made no mistake, completing his hat-trick and putting Horsefair 5–0 ahead.

However, Horsefair began to make life difficult for themselves with some sloppy defending. A failure to clear their lines allowed Marchwood’s number 10 to find space and finish, giving the visitors a lifeline.

With their tails up, Marchwood continued to attack and create chances. They were rewarded again when another defensive mistake allowed the number 10 to score his second of the game, bringing the score back to 5–3.

Horsefair responded when good work from Sesay down the left created an opportunity for Cardy, who finished from close range to restore the three-goal cushion.

Marchwood continued to push forward and created further chances, but their finishing let them down.

With Marchwood committing players forward, Horsefair found space on the counter. Sesay again did the damage down the left, squaring the ball for Lyon Davis, whose effort took a deflection and found its way into the net to make it 7–3.

There was still time for Horsefair to threaten further, with Mitch Down unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after another good run through the centre. Cooper also went close, firing two efforts over the bar from outside the box.

The final whistle confirmed a 7–3 victory and a place in the next round of the Southampton Junior B Cup.

Seven goals and a cup progression will certainly be welcomed, but Horsefair will know there is plenty to work on. The defensive mistakes gave Marchwood a way back into a game that should have been under control, and the scoreline probably flattered Horsefair slightly given the chances the visitors created.

There were plenty of positives going forward, with Sesay’s hat-trick, strong attacking contributions from Down, and goals from Thomas, Bennett, Cardy and Davis securing the win. But if Horsefair are to progress further, they will need to be much tighter at the back.

15/09/2026

After winning the first two league games, Horsefair FC are now in cup action, 1st round of the Southampton cup, please come and support the lads.

13/09/2026

Horsefair 4–3 Cottage

Horsefair came through a seven-goal thriller to secure a hard-fought 4–3 victory over Cottage, producing an excellent first-half performance before having to dig deep to hold on in the second half.

Horsefair started brightly and took the lead through Adam Cooper. The centre midfielder showed great composure, cutting inside before producing a fine finish into the bottom-left corner.

Cottage responded with a stunning strike from around 20 yards, finding the top corner to bring the game level at 1–1.

Horsefair continued to threaten down the left, with Bennett doing excellent work to create the opening for Sesay, who finished well to restore the lead.

Sesay then doubled his personal tally and put Horsefair 3–1 ahead. Showing excellent strength, he shrugged off the defender before keeping his composure to slot the ball home.

Horsefair added a fourth through Lyon Davis. Davis swept the ball out to Sesay, who returned possession beautifully, allowing Davis to finish from close range and give Horsefair a 4–1 advantage.

The second half proved to be a completely different story. Cottage came out strongly and quickly reduced the deficit to 4–2 after their striker found space between the Horsefair defence and made no mistake with the finish.

Cottage then made it 4–3 from a corner, with their striker left unmarked five yards out and heading home.

Horsefair were made to work extremely hard for the remainder of the match. A scuffle in the area resulted in a penalty being awarded, but Adam Cooper saw his spot-kick strike the post, leaving Cottage with hope of completing the comeback.

With Cottage pushing hard for an equaliser in the final 10 minutes, captain Dan Collins produced a brilliant last-ditch challenge at a crucial moment to prevent what looked like a dangerous opportunity and potentially save Horsefair from conceding.

Despite the mounting pressure, Horsefair showed plenty of character and determination to withstand Cottage’s late onslaught and hold on for a valuable 4–3 victory.

Harvey Thomas and Dan Symmons deserve special mention for their tireless work in the centre of midfield, putting in a huge shift throughout the match.

Overall, it was a very good first-half performance from Horsefair, with plenty of attacking quality and some excellent goals. The second half was far from their best, but the team showed resilience when it mattered most to secure all three points.

Final score: Horsefair 4–3 Cottage
Scorers: Adam Cooper, Sesay (2), Lyon Davis

08/09/2026

06/09/2026

Woolston Wanderers 2–4 Horsefair FC

Half-time: Woolston Wanderers 0–2 Horsefair FC
Full-time: Woolston Wanderers 2–4 Horsefair FC

Horsefair FC opened their league campaign with an impressive 4–2 away victory over Woolston Wanderers.

Horsefair started brightly and were on the front foot from the opening whistle, with their positive approach rewarded after 15 minutes.

Good play down the right from Dan Collins and Sesay created the opportunity, with Sesay showing good composure to finish from close range and give Horsefair a deserved lead.

Woolston struggled to create much in the opening stages, while Horsefair continued to look the more threatening side.

The visitors doubled their advantage when Alfie Bennett picked the ball up on the left, cut inside and finished neatly from close range to make it 2–0.

Woolston made a change in goal during the first half, and although they improved towards the end of the half, creating two or three good opportunities in the final 15 minutes, they were unable to find a way through.

Half-time: Woolston Wanderers 0–2 Horsefair FC

Woolston came out strongly after the break and were the first side to register on the scoresheet in the second half. Their forward split the Horsefair defence, raced through on goal and calmly slotted the ball home to reduce the deficit to 2–1.

Horsefair responded well and restored their two-goal advantage through Sesay, who grabbed his second of the afternoon.

Substitute Judd received the ball in midfield before sweeping it out to the left. Bennett produced a first-time touch into the path of Sesay, who made no mistake with the finish to make it 3–1.

Bennett was causing plenty of problems down the left throughout the game, repeatedly finding space and looking a constant threat. On another day, he could have added further goals to his name.

Horsefair, however, made life more difficult for themselves than necessary as Woolston pulled another goal back against the run of play. There appeared to be a possible offside in the build-up, but the goal stood and the home side suddenly had renewed hope.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser, but Horsefair held firm.

Then, with just five minutes remaining, Bennett made no mistake inside the area, finishing confidently to put Horsefair 4–2 ahead and effectively seal the points.

The final whistle confirmed a 4–2 victory for Horsefair, giving the team an excellent start to their first league game of the season.

There were plenty of positives to take from the performance, with Horsefair showing attacking quality, creating opportunities and responding well whenever Woolston threatened a comeback.

A good first league win and a strong way to start the season.

⚽ Full-time

Woolston Wanderers 2–4 Horsefair FC

Horsefair scorers: Sesay ×2, Alfie Bennett ×2

04/09/2026

Fast approaching!!

Pls come and support the lads!!

27/08/2026

Pls come and support the lads!!

23/08/2026

King Somborne 5–4 Horsefair FC

Last Friendly of the Season
Kick-off: 10:30am
Half-time: King Somborne 3–2 Horsefair FC
Full-time: King Somborne 5–4 Horsefair FC

Horsefair FC rounded off their pre-season campaign with a nine-goal thriller away at King Somborne, narrowly losing 5–4 in a game that had everything — goals, missed chances, a penalty, a hat-trick, controversy and plenty of positives for Horsefair to take into the new season.

Despite the result, this was arguably Horsefair’s best performance of pre-season so far, particularly in terms of the character and determination shown after falling behind.

Somborne Start Strong

King Somborne began the game on the front foot and were the better side during the opening 15–20 minutes.

However, against the run of play, Horsefair produced the first real moment of quality. A good attacking move created the opportunity for Richard Sesay, who produced a lovely finish to put Horsefair in front.

In the middle of the park, Harvey Thomas and Dan Symmonds were putting in solid performances, working hard in the centre of midfield and helping Horsefair compete as the game settled down.

King Somborne responded by stepping up the pressure and eventually found an equaliser around the 20-minute mark with a simple tap-in.

The home side then turned the game around shortly afterwards. A superb strike from around 25 yards flew into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper little chance and putting Somborne 2–1 ahead.

Things then got worse for Horsefair when a mistake at the back from Jack Mallon allowed Somborne to take advantage and extend their lead to 3–1.

Sesay Keeps Horsefair in Touch

Despite being two goals behind, Horsefair continued to battle and created opportunities of their own.

Just before half-time, Richard Sesay was fouled inside the penalty area, giving Horsefair a huge opportunity to get back into the game.

Sesay dusted himself down, stepped up from the spot and calmly converted the penalty to make it 3–2.

That goal was particularly important because Horsefair could easily have gone into the break level — or even ahead.

The visitors had two excellent chances before half-time which they were unable to convert, meaning Somborne went into the interval with a narrow advantage.

At 3–2, though, Horsefair knew they were very much still in the game.

Horsefair Come Flying Out

The second half saw a completely different momentum.

Horsefair came out strongly and soon put King Somborne under serious pressure.

Their attacking approach was rewarded when a Somborne defender turned the ball into his own net, bringing Horsefair level at 3–3.

The visitors were now playing with confidence and began to look the more dangerous side.

And once again, Richard Sesay was at the heart of it.

Good wing play created the opening and Sesay made no mistake, slotting the ball home to complete his hat-trick and put Horsefair ahead for the first time since the opening goal.

From 3–1 down to 4–3 up, it was an excellent turnaround and showed exactly the sort of character Horsefair will need when the competitive season gets underway.

Late Drama

As the game entered its final stages, both teams began to tire and the game became increasingly stretched.

King Somborne eventually found a way back into the game with an equaliser which appeared to be clearly offside. The flag stayed down, however, and the goal stood to make it 4–4.

Horsefair continued to push, but with just five minutes remaining, another set piece proved costly.

A corner was not dealt with by the Horsefair defence and the ball fell to a Somborne player just inside the area.

He made no mistake, smashing the ball into the back of the net to put King Somborne 5–4 ahead.

Horsefair had little time left to respond and, despite trying to find one final opportunity, could not produce the equaliser.

The final whistle brought an entertaining game to an end, with King Somborne taking the win.

Plenty of Positives for Horsefair

The scoreline may say defeat, but there were plenty of positives for Horsefair to take from the performance.

To come from 3–1 down, get themselves level, and then go on to lead 4–3 showed tremendous character.

Richard Sesay’s hat-trick was the obvious individual highlight, with his finishing and attacking play causing Somborne problems throughout the game.

There were also strong performances in midfield from Harvey Thomas and Dan Symmonds, who worked hard in the centre and helped Horsefair compete throughout the match.

Defensively, there will certainly be lessons to take away, particularly from the mistakes that led to goals and the late corner which ultimately decided the game.

But overall, this was a hugely encouraging final friendly.

Bring On the Season

And that brings the curtain down on Horsefair FC’s pre-season.

The friendlies are now finished, the preparation is done, and attention turns to the games that really matter.

Horsefair FC begin their league campaign on 6 September with an away trip to Woolston Wanderers.

The game will be played at Mountbatten School on the 4G pitch.

After a promising pre-season, there is now a real sense of excitement around the squad ahead of the new campaign.

The result against King Somborne may have gone the wrong way, but the performance showed plenty of fight, quality and determination.

Best performance of pre-season so far.

Now the friendlies are finished.

Time for the real season to begin.

Come on Horsefair! ⚽💙