After scoring two late goals Toby Short was left wondering why his team only kicked into gear after being three goals down.
Solent University third team took the 10 minute train to Southampton Parkway to face their biggest rivals on the opening day of the season.
A fierce derby that has been going for decades and always promises a juicy game for spectators but a nightmare for referees.
Ahead of the derby we spoke to newly appointed Solent captain and debutant Ben Gamble ahead of the game, who revealed he was honoured and surprised to be leading the team out for the season.
Gamble said “In my eyes and everyone else’s it’s the biggest game of the season even though it is the first game. It’s a derby so we need to be up for it.”
The two univerisities that have been open since the 1860’s have had numerous encounters with both teams earning 3 points off each other last season.
Despite all of Solent’s preparation before the game they would have to deal with two big injuries in midfield just days before the game.
The makeshift midfield would be exposed as Solent would find themselves 3-0 down in just 50 minutes.
The game would end 3-2 and Solent manager Toby Short angrily explained how “We only kicked into gear after about 70 minutes which can’t happen on a weekly basis.”
To find out more about the story watch our video coverage of the Derby here.
Report By Ed Groves.
