BOTH sides were unbeaten going into this crucial top-of-the-table clash. Goals from Shirley Jervis and Annie Hairsine settled the issue and A&F now head the league table by five points.

Aldershot had prepared well for the 10am pushback, but knew better than to envisage an easy 70 minutes against the league champions.

In fact, they faltered at the start and back-pedalled for the first 20 minutes.

Havant took control from the first A&F pass that went astray and put immediate pressure on the visiting defence. However, Julie Edwards, Sarah Mewton and Angie Cottee were alert and protected their goal effectively. Any shots were dealt with comfortably by 'keeper Gill Siemak.

Approaching half-time, the Aldershot midfield suddenly produced a couple of crunching tackles, and this seemed to galvanise the team into action.

Right-back Cottee started a move which Sharon Stones carried on up the pitch. Helen Kenna timed her run down the right wing perfectly to collect Stones' nicely weighted ball and crossed into the 'D', where Hairsine calmly slotted in at the far post.

Farnham redeemed themselves further in the second half, battling hard in what was becoming quite a physical encounter.

Di Taylor took a free-hit just outside the Havant 'D' and Jervis launched herself at it in true centre-forward's style, the ball flying off her stick into the roof of the net. At 2-0, A&F heaved a collective sigh of relief.

In the remaining 10 minutes, Havant won numerous short corners, but the Aldershot defence held strong to frustrate their opponents.

A final breakaway by Havant produced a one-on-one situation, but Siemak reacted quickly and met the forward at the top of the 'D' with a ball-winning slide. Her tenacity epitomised the team spirit and the three points came from that desire and fight, rather than A&F's preferred flowing style of hockey.

The day they manage to combine the two cannot be too far away and should keep A&F top of the Hampshire League.