After opening the season with two wins, Fareham knew they would face a sterner test at home to Oxford. Although there were moments of sustained Fareham pressure the visitors’ took advantage of their opportunities better with sharper finishing. The winning margin could have been greater but for some excellent goalkeeping from Sophia Barclay.

After an even start, Oxford took the lead in the 7th minute. Fareham failed to clear the danger after the ball was played in from the left side before KATIE LIVINGSTONE beat off a defender’s challenge and slipped the ball under the keeper with a reverse shot.

Oxford came close to doubling the advantage two minutes later after a quick break from their own area. Alice Brownlow beat two defenders on a run into the ‘D’ before slipping the ball across to Katie Livingstone at the far post. A diving save from Sophia Barclay prevented the goal.

The home side’s first good chance came in the 13th minute. A long pass from Lois Haigh gave Kendra Druce something to chase. She was closed down at the top of the ‘D’ and played the ball back for Lois whose shot was blocked by the keeper’s pads at the near post.

Oxford ended the quarter in the ascendancy and came close with a shot just wide from their first penalty corner. Another PC at the start of the 2nd quarter resulted in an Edith Hulcup shot being kicked clear by Sophia. A minute later Kendra Druce was almost able to take advantage of confusion in the visitor’s defence but her shot was saved by the keeper for a long corner.

More Fareham pressure brought their first PC in the 21st minute. Alicia Salter’s shot was saved but two more PCs followed immediately with Lois Haigh also having a shot saved from close range. Another chance fell to Lois a minute later but her lob was palmed away by Sophie Smith in the visitor’s goal.

Play was even for most of the remainder of the half until Oxford had a chance to add to their tally late in the quarter. A pass into the ‘D’ set up a chance for Mim Aldred close in. She was denied by Sophia Barclay’s save on the line and then Sophia came out on top again as she saved a follow-up shot which was heading for the top corner.

Trailing by the only goal at half-time, Fareham started brightly after the break and had the first chance when Issie Chapman shot over the bar in the 38th minute.

A dangerous run down the right and cross by Mim Aldred in the 42nd minute created another chance for the visitors but Sophia was in place to save the shot from close in.

The final five minutes of the quarter featured heavy pressure from the home side. A long run down the right into the ‘D’ by Lois Haigh earned a Fareham PC in the 47th minute which led to a shot just wide from Eleanor Pybus. More PCs followed. Alba Browning-Sanchez had a shot deflected wide off a defender and Eleanor Pybus had another shot just wide of the near post.

The quarter ended with three more Fareham PCs after the final whistle but stubborn defending in front of goal preserved Oxford’s one goal lead.

The hosts were on top at this stage and hoped to carry their momentum into the final quarter. Unfortunately there was an early setback. Oxford pressed forward from the restart and increased their lead in the 54th minute. Aisha Mohsin worked her way around the defence to the goal line on the left side and her cross into a very crowded goalmouth was finished off by KATE PUGH.

In a tight game the second goal was crucial and it always looked a difficult task from here to get back on level terms. Fareham had half chances but they were quickly closed down by a well-drilled defence whilst Oxford’s best chance was halted by another good save from Sophia. With defences now on top there were no more goalscoring chances.

There can be no complaints at the result. Fareham had spells when they were on top and chances to score but lacked a bit of composure and sharpness when it was needed against a strong defence. The visitors took their opportunities well despite the heroics of Sophia in the Fareham goal. We face another of the likely contenders when we travel to play Reading 3s on Saturday (13.45). Last time we played there they produced the most impressive quarter of hockey we saw all season so we will need to play well to match them.