ROMSEY 1, HASLEMERE 4

HASLEMERE followed up their good performance against Alton the week before with an emphatic victory at Romsey in the Hampshire Women’s Hockey League Division One.

The visitors began with excellent build-up play through defence and midfield and had several early chances to go ahead, the best coming from a cracking ball in from Isobel Breen, which Claire Powell deflected just past the post.

Haslemere remained patient and deservedly took the lead when Breen linked up with Siobhan Orchard-Webb who cut through the Romsey defence before releasing Ashley Davies to slot past the keeper.

Romsey equalised with a controversial goal from a penalty flick. The shot was well saved by Freya Stockdale, but the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line and a goal was awarded. The teams had differing views on that incident.

Coach Ben Newton calmed his team down and Haslemere came out for the second half in determined mood. Breen, continuing to call the shots in midfield, played another fine ball into the D and this time Powell’s neat deflection found the target.

From there, Haslemere’s attacking play flowed, with Alex Hardy playing a starring role.

First, she coolly slotted past the keeper to make it 3-1. Then, having received the ball from Powell, Hardy moved it onto the reverse stick and shot low and hard into the bottom corner. A real contender for goal of the season.