New Forest Hockey Club ladies cement second spot with win against Fareham II
Hants Women’s Division 1: New Forest Hockey Club I 4-0 Fareham II
NEW FOREST Hockey Club’s ladies first team produced a confident performance to see off the threat of Fareham II at the weekend at Brockenhurst College.
The 4-0 victory against a Fareham side that has struggled this season cemented second place in Hampshire Division One.
The three points leave Forest sitting pretty nine points ahead of third placed Romsey with six league games remaining this season.
New Forest started strongly against Fareham, dominating possession for the first 15 minutes and demonstrating excellent passing across all areas of the pitch.
Lock opens the floodgates
It was no surprise when top scorer Jade Lock fired New Forest into the lead with a clinical penalty corner strike into the bottom corner of the goal.
Fareham belied their league position with a spell of possession that forced Forest back. The home side successfully defended a number of attacks with keeper Becky Snook pulling off several fantastic saves.
She was well supported by the tough defensive line-up of Sarah Biddlecombe, Maz Brewis and player of the match Beth Cammegh.
Forest absorbed the pressure successfully and then resumed the upper hand, turning the tables back in their favour.
Just before half-time a high press from the Forest attacking line resulted in a turn-over in possession with Rachel Lloyd threading the ball through to Nicky Brooks. She attacked down the right channel before slotting the ball through to Lia Waine who coolly deflected the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead.
After strong words at half-time New Forest upped their game and top transfers through defence and midfield led to New Forest's third goal. Lynn Jones picked up the ball in midfield and played in teenager Flossie Williams, who showed fine individual skill to beat the Fareham keeper and score.
Forest had another goal disallowed before a pre-planned short corner routine saw Brooks and Lloyd combine for Lloyd to score the fourth and final goal.
New Forest I: Becky Snook, Maz Brewis, Beth Cammegh, Sarah Biddlecombe, Lia Waine, (c), Nicky Brooks, Rachel Lloyd, Lynn Jones, Frankie Robertson, Carrie Stott, Flossie Williams, Jade Lock.