New Forest Hockey Club's keeper Hoyle stars in seconds win

Hants Women’s Hockey Division 3: New Forest Hockey Club II 3-1 Fareham III

NEW FOREST Hockey Club’s ladies second string saw off the threat of Fareham with a 3-1 victory that ensures they hold on to third place in Hants Division 3.

Forest applied early pressure with Ruby Noble, Alice Sheppard and Phoebe Branson running circles around Fareham, their speed and silky skills proving too much for the opposition’s midfield and defence.

New Forest Hockey Club's opener

The opener came when Jaz Poulter’s quick ball to Kathy Hall split the defence, Hall fielded well before slipping the ball past the Fareham keeper.

Forest doubled their lead almost immediately when Carrie Stott intercepted a Fareham pass, Amanda Hook and Sandy Smith were in support to help clear the ball out of the danger zone and offloaded to Sheppard who sped past Fareham’s defence before scoring.

Fareham seemed to find their form, but player of the match keeper Lindsay Hoyle held strong and foiled a barrage of attacks.

Sheppard then had a goal disallowed because the ball clipped a Forest foot before being touched over the goal line. In the confusion Fareham took a quick hit out and broke away and although Forest cleared the first attempt, Fareham were not to be denied and netted to make it 2-1 at half-time.

After the break Fareham had the momentum from their late first-half goal and won an early short corner. The set piece was struck well, however Hoyle’s twinkle toes once again denied Fareham.

Forest regrouped and had the majority of second-half possession but were unable to make their advantage count. Eventually their persistence paid off when Sofia Chase kept her cool in a one on one with the charging Fareham keeper and calmly slotted the ball into the goal sealing the 3-1 victory.

New Forest II: L. Hoyle, C. Noble, S. Smith, C. Stott, J. Poulter, P. Branson, S. Chase, K. Hall, A. Hook, R. Noble, A. Sheppard, R. Robertshaw.