The icing was on the cake, quite literally, before this last game of the season kicked off as the Eastleigh ladies were treated to a pair of artistically decorated celebration cakes by right sided duo Natasha Gwyther and Samantha Read (both coincidentally former Horndean players) to mark the culmination of the league season. It was clear to see that Connie Brazier had been hard at work as well, preparing the fancy dress outfit for Amy Cabell (No.1 Fan), as she stood in her dazzling cardboard creation on the sidelines with a couple of extra fans this week at her feet, nestled between the drinks bottles; Paris and Winehouse dolls, what more could we ask for! A crafted 'Eastleigh Champions of Hants League Div 2' banner was also propped up proudly at the half way line... just the sort of display to stoke up a response from the home team if ever you saw one!

Kick off commenced at 2pm on a very poor surface, not at all a match to the stunning winter weather, as bright sunshine and clear skies were the order of the day. Horndean began proceedings playing in a two tone blue shirt and kicking towards the club house. Eastleigh played in red for the first time this year.

The game began even, though it was clear Horndean were not going to play pretty direct from kickoff when Eastleigh lost the ball cheaply and there came the first of many a wallop from the Horndean right back for the strikers or more accurately the player closest to the ball to chase. The first long ball of the day came to nothing though and Eastleigh regained possession soon enough. The next 15 minutes were a ragged affair. When Eastleigh did get the ball they controlled well but put some passes astray, and whenever Horndean were in possession the ball seemed to fly past the midfield with increasing height.

On 20 minutes the deadlock was broken by Niven, scoring equal to the definition of the age old expression 'taking your chances'. It was one chance, one goal. On her return to the right wing, Read was rampant. She was fed the ball and ran with conviction towards the edge of the box, she swerved, beat the defender and slid the ball inside to Kingston who clipped it on to Niven to acrobatically finish over her head into the top right hand corner. A stunner. 1-0.

Kingston put one over the bar next, the price paid for shooting whilst off balance after a pass from Read, but it was Read again later on in the half with the vision to pass inside from her wide right position that set Kelly Clark up for 2-0. Clark converted the chance into the top left, lobbing the goal keeper beautifully.

There was time for one more goal before half time from Eastleigh but not before Horndean had infuriated the Eastleigh defence by shooting whilst goalkeeper Alex Brooks was grounded clutching her ankle. It may have looked opportunistic, but it was one of those boo boy moments, which to the delight of the way fans, went begging and drifted wide. To compound Horndeans misery and lift Eastleigh's spirits in front of goal Connie Brazier added a third for Eastleigh before half time, bagging an effort from just inside the box, which nestled in nicely beating the struggling keeper low to her left.

At the start of the second half Eastleigh were playing some good touches, but once more the game slowed to Horndeans pace as regaining possession of high balls remained difficult. Brazier was substituted following the development of major discomfort when kicking the ball, and her replacement Jenna Snell ran on for a straight swap.

Eastleigh were nearly 4-0 up from a corner when an onrushing Heda timed her run to perfection and charged the keeper with conviction as the cross came in. It unsettled her so much that the ball dropped from her hands and the defence were lucky to clear their lines and only concede a corner. The following corner was then cleared but from then on the game was fragmented by a number of injury stoppages. Snell was the first as she burst through two defenders on her way into the final third. Her explosive run was cruelly cut short when she hit a rough patch of turf and the uneven surface caused her knee to twist ending her participation in the game. Her struggles with ligament woes continue. Gemma Aboe replaced her in attack and showed good determination from the outset.

Beeton was the next to be grounded, this time by a tackle. She returned to the pitch minutes later after treatment though and carried on at centre back next to Heda. A Horndean centre back was also floored during this period in what must have been at least the third fall attributable to the treachorous pitch.

Meanwhile, Niven was getting increasingly unhappy at the lack of goalscoring opportunities created this half and she made it evident in her determination to do something about it just past the 70 minute mark. Shouts of 'What part of the goal do you have to score in these days then?' greeted the referee after he puzzlingly seemed to wave on play after her crisply struck half volley from way outside the box ruffled the net. It hit the top right side stantion within the goal and then rebounded out onto the goaline leaving Niven feeling as though she had been robbed of one of her best of the season.

The barrage continued as the pace the game slowed, but swung totally in favour of the away team. 3-0 would have sufficed, but Read topped off the proceedings nicely and relit the flare for the end of season celebrations with a majestic individual goal. Her strong running and perseverance to beat several flailing defenders once again meant she drove on into the box. With the goal at her mercy she shot from an almost impossible angle, but squeezed the ball past the keeper and just inside the near post to complete the scoreline at 4-0.

Cue celebrations! League winners and with a cup semi final to come the team will hope that any injuries picked up from this game heal in time to face the winners of the Salisbury City/Saints clash. Horndean laid on food after the game, but did not stick around and who can blame them. Portsmouth were on TV so it was a quick exit for many of the players wanting to get away for that game as well, but not before the cake was cut and the bottles of champagne were burst! Great league season EFC. Next match: Invitation Cup March 2nd 2008, KO 2pm, venue to be decided.