Match Report
Match Report - 17 Oct 2009, Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 1 lost to Haslemere 2
Aldershot & Farnham suffered a first defeat of the season in what was a rather dull game at Heath End last Saturday, shaded by Haslemere but dominated by strong defensive performances from both sides.
There were few chances for either team throughout the game although Haslemere seemed to create a couple of chances where they blazed wide of the goal in the second half. Mark Edgely also made an outstanding diving save in the A&F goal at his near post.
A&F may have been awarded a penalty flick at the end of the first half as a goalbound Jonny Groves flick struck a defenders body but the umpire deemed it to be the goalkeeper alone who made the save.
For a while in the second half Haslemere were reduced to nine men, as first a winger and then a full back were awarded yellow cards within the space of five minutes. Haslemere’s experienced backline defended resolutely during this period and swiftly dealt with the threat, as they did when they were with their full compliment of players. A&F could and should have made better of this advantage but continued to struggle to break into the ‘D’ once they broke into the last quarter. On the couple of occasions A&F were inside the ‘D’, they squandered their chances.
On the positive side for A&F, there was a welcome return of form for Dave Jenkins and Ian Duck came back to play his first league game this season as along with Steve Farrer and Steve Wicks, A&F’s defence looked in good shape. Lee Carter on his first 1st team game of the season added some spark for A&F.
A bit of a kick in the teeth for A&F as in the last two years they have played hosts to rivals Haslemere before this seasons Open League re-structure, they defeated their first team, but it was Haslemere 2’s that deserved their narrow win as A&F, unlike their opponents, have struggled to hit the ground running at the start of the season.
Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 1 0 - 1 Haslemere 2