Forest ambushed in final moments of top-of-the-table clash
Hampshire Ladies Premier: New Forest 2-3 Basingstoke II
NEW Forest ladies first team walked away disappointed after they were pegged back by Basingstoke II in the final stages of their top-of-the-table match.
Both teams had a 100% record going into the fourth game of the season. New Forest started very lively and dominated the early period with several breaks down the pitch and solid passing. They were unable to convert their chances against a strong Basingstoke goalkeeper.
Midway through the first half, against the run of play, Basingstoke scored pouncing on a loose ball from the breakdown of a short corner. Forest continued to play the better hockey and were rewarded before half-time with an equaliser by Lia Waine slotted nearly home after a precision pass into the D by Beth Cammegh.
Early into the second half, Forest continued to pressure with the midfield of Dawn Messenger, Lauren Gavin and player-of-the-match Lynn Jones, working hard to create chances for the forwards.
After a handful of unsuccessful short corners, the hosts produced a slick corner routine with Lauren Gavin neatly finishing in the bottom left corner perfectly set up by Jade Lock.
New Forest looked to be in control at 2-1 up, and the team worked hard to extend their lead and defend against the speedy Basingstoke forwards. Rachel Lloyd put in another excellent performance thwarting the visitors’ attacks before they came to anything.
With about 15 minutes of the game remaining, New Forest were unable to maintain the pace of the game and Basingstoke started to enjoy more possession.
Mistakes crept in and the away side drew level when an unmarked player was able to finish into an open net. A third goal came for Basingstoke when the hosts failed to contain the pace of the forwards and Forest keeper Becky Sporne was left too exposed to keep out their attack.
The game finished 3-2 in Basingstoke’s favour and Forest will be disappointed not to come away with a point after dominating extensive periods of the game.
New Forest: B. Sporne, M. Brewis, R. Lloyd, B. Cammegh, O. Allen, L. Jones, D. Messenger, L. Gavin, R. Noble, N. Brooks, L. Waine, J. Lock.