SHE dreamed of an idyllic honeymoon with the man of her dreams. Instead blushing Hampshire bride Maria Tripaldi, 25, will be spending the first hours of married bliss on her own while her husband goes to St Mary's to watch Southampton play at home.
American Ken Tripaldi went to his first Saints match after being introduce to Maria's father. Since then Ken, 26, has been supporting Southampton from across the Atlantic in New Jersey where the couple have settled. They met while Maria was on a work placement.
Maria, originally from Hedge End where her family still live, said: "I was hoping to get away for a few days with Ken because we have to go back to New Jersey soon. But that certainly won't be happening now."
The football-mad bridegroom has insisted on taking his American relatives and friends to the match today, just 24 hours after getting married at the Marwell Hotel in Hampshire.
FOOTBALL CRAZY: Newlywed Saints fan Ken Tripaldi with his bride Maria and guests. Echo picture by Paul Collins. Order no: hwmt9fl4
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