EDWARDIANS II 1, HASLEMERE 4

HASLEMERE closed in on a second successive promotion with an impressive win over free-scoring Edwardians in London last Saturday.

The clash with fourth-placed Edwardians 2nd XI was one of the toughest remaining fixtures for the Hants/Surrey 2 leaders. The in-form home team had won their last four games.

After last week’s draw with HAC, Haslemere were determined to get back to winning ways and their game plan, laid out by captain Rob Dilworth, was simple and clear, and turned out to be very effective

The Blues soon had a two-goal lead. Great skill from midfielder Tristan Conoley earned them their first short corner and Mitch Chapman, last week’s late hero, stepped up once again from the top of the D and put his drag-flick high into the net.

The lead was soon doubled as Chapman powered home his second drag-flick, this time into the right-hand corner.

It was all going swimmingly for the visitors, but then, on the stroke of half-time, Edwardians pulled one back with a drag-flick of their own.

Haslemere didn’t waver from their objective of playing fast-paced hockey and dominated possession and territory in the second half.

Grant Roberts pushed his midfield higher up the pitch to increase the pressure on the Edwardians back line and, as a result, Campbell Hancock and Tristan Conoley created several turnovers deep in the Edwardians half.

This was joy for forwards Powell, Chapman, De Mello and Cope.

Chris Fox transferred the ball across the back line, allowing Rob Grech to play Nic Cope through in plenty of space and the team’s top scorer drove into the D at pace before unleashing an unstoppable reverse-stick shot high into the goal.

Andy Powell rounded off the scoring with a goal that was fully deserved for his tireless work-rate. Bursting into the D, Powell slotted home his 28th goal of the season

Haslemere now only have to win this week’s title-decider against closest rivals London Academicals to secure a first promotion to Regional 1.

That would be a huge achievement for the men in blue.