FOLLOWING an extremely satisfying 4-0 victory over Havant last week, Aldershot & Farnham travelled to fourth-placed Southampton on Saturday knowing that another win would leave them within two points of the league title.
A&F curtailed their warm-up so as to preserve energy on a warm day, but still looked sharp and focussed at the start.
Whether nerves or complacency set in was difficult to tell, but Southampton attacked from the start and immediately put pressure on the visiting defence. Goalkeeper Gill Siemack and Julie Edwards, at centre-back, held strong and calmed their side down sufficiently for A&F to drive back at the home side.
Fi Payne clattered a penalty corner against a post and Sharon Stones was unlucky not to finish off a superb individual run into the Southampton 'D'.
With the game evenly balanced, A&F's mental toughness was tested when Southampton took the lead with a scrambled goal.
Aldershot are not accustomed to being behind at half-time and a calm team-talk was required to accentuate the positives and urge the players to stick to the game plan.
Angie Cottee, Helen Kenna and Annie Hairsine began to dominate on the right flank and although Southampton defended resolutely, they could not continue to absorb the relentless pressure.
Any Southampton attacks were thwarted and returned with interest by Sue Robinson, who was a resounding success in her new defensive midfield role.
It was an unexpected run forward from the left-back that led to the equaliser. Skipper Donna Druce kept the ball strongly and found herself with space to run into the opposition 'D'. Her clipped shot was nicked into the goal by centre-forward Shirley Jervis.
With the job only half done, A&F continued to dominate. Eventually a penalty corner was slammed under the 'keeper by Di Taylor with only five minutes remaining.
Coach Kate White urged the team to play safe and see out the victory.
With Havant and City of Portsmouth both winning their matches, A&F still need another victory to be sure of a place in the South League play-offs. Requiring two points from a possible six to win the league, Aldershot are home to Winchester this Saturday.
It promises to be a vintage season for the AFD Ladies. Their second and third teams are both certain of promotion as well.