Early Goal Is Enough To Deny Fareham Any Points

The score will tell you that Fareham lost their latest match 1-0 at home to Clifton Robinsons 2s, courtesy of a 2nd minute goal. Sometimes though results should come with a footnote. If they did then this one would tell you that Fareham was the better team for most of this match, played some very good hockey and created many more chances than the opposition. We just couldn’t score. Despite this we continued the week to week improvement we have shown since the first match and a win looks very close now.

For the first time this season the home side was able to name a 16 player squad with Aimee Timms, Izzy Austin, Katie Paxman, Sarah Atkinson and Alice Lander all returning after missing the game at Oxford Hawks. However, we were without Alicia Caillard due to work commitments.

Clifton scored what would prove to be the only goal in the 2nd minute. A tentative pass out of defence was intercepted by Charlie Milsom whose quick pass found Claire Jones in the ‘D’. Finding herself with a two against one advantage the ball was slipped left to DARCY SHIELDS who applied the finishing touch.

Fareham responded quickly and had a chance to equalize in the 5th minute after Sarah Atkinson intercepted a pass across the Clifton area but her first touch let her down and she was unable to get a shot away, fouling the keeper in the process.

The home side continued to have the better of the possession and the pressure and this continued into the 2nd quarter. An incisive pass into the area by Emma Boddington set up a penalty corner which almost gave Sian Edwards a chance to score. Seconds later, determined work down the left by Izzy Austin caused consternation in the visitors’ defence but a last ditch clearance removed the danger before Alice Lander had an opportunity to shoot.

It took until the 26th minute before Clifton mustered their first penalty corner but two more followed in quick succession. The most dangerous chance came from a shot which was blocked by Abbey Carroll.

Play was halted briefly after half an hour due to an injury to Katie Paxman. Initially it looked like it may be serious but fortunately it proved not to be and Katie was able to return to the field a few minutes later and went on to produce a ‘man of the match’ performance.

The final chance of the first half again fell to Fareham when Sarah Atkinson cut in from the left but her shot was deflected wide by a defender and it remained 1-0 to the opposition at half-time.

The 3rd quarter began with the home side dictating most of the play. The first good opportunity of the second half came in the 43rd minute when Tegan Lyne made a strong run down the left. Her cross was partially cleared to edge of the ‘D’. Alice Lander had a shot saved by the keeper and Gracie Coleman’s follow up was deflected just wide by Tegan at the far post.

The home side had a series of PCs in this quarter as they moved the ball well and the pressure built but a decisive touch in front of goal was proving elusive. In contrast, the Bristol side threatened little and when they did briefly break out Sophia Barclay (who was mostly untroubled by shots) was on hand to kick clear.

The 4th quarter began with another big opportunity for Fareham in the 54th minute. Play was built down the right with Gracie Coleman and Sarah Atkinson linking together well with an exchange of passes before Sarah crossed to the far post just beyond the outstretched stick of Izzy Austin.

Clifton had a brief spell of possession in the Fareham half but could offer little more than a shot from a PC which Sophia diverted wide with a strong foot.

With time running out, Fareham were still pushing for the leveller. With seven minutes remaining Izzy Austin intercepted a pass and broke towards the area in company with Poppy Roddis. A quick one-two set up Izzy in front of goal with just Sian Spooner, the Clifton keeper, to beat. However the keeper held Izzy up just long enough for a defender to clear the danger.

The final chance came in the 65th minute. Sarah Atkinson dispossessed Jade Williams but, as Sarah headed towards the area, the defender cynically hooked her stick and hurled it ten yards away. The umpire allowed an advantage as the ball ran through to Poppy who won a penalty corner in the ‘D’. Although a green card was subsequently shown for the incident with the stick it could easily have been a yellow. Sian Edwards’ shot from the resulting PC was saved by the keeper and that was the last opportunity for the home side as Clifton held on to win 1-0.

Ultimately Clifton Robinsons won because they were able to score from the one really good chance they had whilst Fareham could not turn their many chances into goals. On the positive side though it was very encouraging that we were able to create so many chances and dominated for long spells in the match. Sometimes you don’t get what you deserve and this, unfortunately, was one of those days.

After a week off we resume on 4th November at Henry Cort against Basingstoke (13.30). With our opponents currently the only team below us in the table this is a match where a win is more important than ever and if we can continue to build on previous performances there is every chance that we will be successful.