HASLEMERE 3, BASINGSTOKE II 1

HASLEMERE advanced to fifth in the Hampshire Women’s Division One with this impressive win at Woolmer Hill, moving above Basingstoke II and Aldershot & Farnham in the process.

The home side were strong mentally and physically, and passed well and created chances from the start.

Attacking down the right, Haslemere put together some short, sharp passes before Heidi Wells, from the top of the circle, slapped the ball home with pace and accuracy.

This was Heidi’s 100th goal for Haslemere Hockey Club – a superb achievement by one of the club’s true stalwarts.

Haslemere continued to press Basingstoke and it paid off with a short corner. Up stepped Wells and a sweetly-struck straight shot took her to 101 goals.

Basingstoke gained more possession towards the end of the half, but were contained by a solid home defence.

The visitors made a strong start to the second half, but Haslemere soon got their act together and regained control.

After some excellent passing between the midfield and forwards, Alex Hardy drifted in towards the left baseline and with a casual reverse strike, from an unthinkable angle, scored her team’s third goal, impressing all those watching and even the umpires.

Haslemere lost their clean sheet in the final moments when Basingstoke won a short corner and scored from the top of the circle.