New Forest ladies end season with nine-goal thriller
Hampshire Women’s Division One: New Forest 5-4 Andover
NEW FOREST Hockey Club’s ladies first team signed off for the season with a 5-4 victory over Andover.
The result consolidated Forest’s second place in Hampshire Division One, 13 points behind top side Winchester and 12 points ahead of third placed Romsey.
Great start by Forest
Against Andover Forest were on the front foot from the start and an intricate passing move led to the opening goal. Fine inter passing between Nicky Brooks and Maz Brewis set up Lia Waine to drive the ball forward to Rachel Lloyd.
The midfielder found front runner Frankie Robertson who played a neat pass into Lauren Gavin whose first-time finish made it 1-0.
Andover responded well and won a controversial short corner which they converted for the equaliser.
Forest pushed on and were soon 2-1 up. Brooks hitting the post with a shot that was knocked in on the rebound by Octavia Allan, the youngster’s looping shot giving the Andover keeper no chance.
After the half-time break the home side extended their lead to 3-1 with a fine strike from teenager Flossie Williams.
Forest soon added a fourth when great work from Jade Lock saw the season’s top scorer squeeze the ball over the line.
At 4-1 the game looked all over but Forest took their foot off the pedal and Andover took advantage.
Sloppy marking led to the visitors grabbing two quick goals before a penalty stroke was converted and Andover were back in the game at 4-4.
Last gasp strike wins game
With little time remaining Forest pushed for the winner which didn’t look likely until a piece of magic from Williams led to a short corner award just as the umpire blew for full-time.
The corner gave Forest a lifeline to win the game and every home player descended on the circle to push for the winner.
Gavin injected to Lock, but her powerful shot was saved by the keeper. Player or the match Williams latched onto the rebound and again the keeper saved but the ball popped into the air and captain Waine volleyed in to the bottom corner to win the game for Forest.
New Forest I: Becky Snook, Beth Cammegh, Lynn Jones, Maz Brewis, Sarah Biddlecombe, Lia Waine (cpt), Nicky Brooks, Rachel Lloyd, Frankie Robertson, Alice Meadowcroft, Octavia Allan, Flossie Williams, Lauren Gavin, Jade Lock.