TROJANS have lost their seat at the top table of England women's hockey.

Promoted as Premier Division 2 champions last season, they have managed to win only three (and draw three) of their 21 games and cannot now catch Harleston Magpies, the side immediately above them in the table.

A 4-0 defeat at Doncaster ended all slim hopes of survival and dumped the Stoneham girls back into the Second Division next autumn.

There was no way back for Trojans, who conceded a goal after three minutes and were well beaten by a first half Jo Ellis brace and second half strikes by Pippa Jones and Katie Malton.

Coach Merijn van Willigen bemoaned the loss of Alex Danson through injury for much of the season, but believes the time is right for Trojans to take a step back and review their long term strategy.

"Apart from at Hightown, there were no games where we were embarrassed or played off the park and, in some cases, we proved we could live with sides in the top four," he said.

"But it was obvious from the start that we did not have the depth (of players) that some other teams have - and we must acknowledge this is the result of a a planned long term strategy."

Van Willigen believes that Trojans must now look ahead and plan for the future.

"As a club we need to learn from the past. I believe we'e relied too heavily on recruitment and that's not a stable platform for success.

"We need to think about way to promote talented players in the youth section and look to develop the talent we have in the club.

"That won't happen overnight but we have the base of talented 1st XI players as a starting point.

Southampton went down 1-0 to Premier Division 3 opponents St Alban's - Sarah Embrey's fifth minute goal settled it - but are through to the Hampshire Cup final after Holly Nutt, Amy Sheehan, Jo Faulkner, Sue Crowley and Anne Vickerstaff scored in the 5-1 defeat of Basingstoke.

They will play Trojans 2nd XI at the Sports Centre on May 2 - the Stoneham second string having won 4-2 at Havant.

Eight sin-binned as Hamble lose it - see Sport under the 'More News' Eastleigh section.