HASLEMERE 4, LONDON ACADEMICALS 6

HASLEMERE gave Hants/Surrey Regional leaders London Academicals a run for their money in a ten-goal encounter at Woolmer Hill on Saturday.

It was always going to be a tough test for Haslemere against opponents who were well-organised in defence, played skilful hockey through the midfield and counter-attacked at high speed. Even so, the Blues managed to crack the Academicals defence four times.

Throughout the first half, Haslemere struggled to keep pace with the Londoners who had lost only once this campaign.

The home team were not helped by several enforced positional changes and the opening goal exploited some early confusion as the whole Haslemere defence was drawn to one side of the goal, leaving a clutch of forwards free to put the ball into an empty net.

By half-time, the visitors were in the ascendancy, leading 3-0 with goals from Simon Coles (2) and Sam Hatherley, and home supporters must have feared the worse for their side.

However, player-coach Rob Dilworth galvanised his men at the break and Haslemere began to play with greater intensity and renewed strength.

Different tactics resulted in much better passages of hockey and when Andy Powell put the ball away confidently after finding himself free in the circle, there was promise of a revival.

But although the Blues continued to force the pace, Academicals restored their authority with a breakaway goal from Hamlish Miller.

The Blues were far from being discouraged and continued to take the game to their opponents.

Nic Cope converted a penalty flick and when Hugo Chandler scored from a narrow angle, Haslemere were in touching distance at 3-4.

The Academicals were not top of the league for nothing, though, and continued to break quickly and dangerously out of defence, scoring twice more through Will Nunn to re-establish a clear lead at 6-3.

This was despite some brave work by keeper Nick Bull, who stopped a penalty flick amongst a series of fine saves.

And Haslemere had the last word in a thoroughly entertaining, high-class contest when Graham Stopher clinically flicked the ball home through a crowded goal area to narrow the deficit to 4-6.

Alec Morgan made an effective return for Haslemere, while Dilworth and Jarryd Brown were particularly resolute in defence.

Grant Roberts organised and competed hard in a crowded midfield and Campbell Hancock ran tirelessly in a strength-sapping encounter.

This Saturday, Haslemere visit Woking, attempting to complete the double over the side just one place above them in the tightly-packed mid regions of the league table.

Haslemere 2nd XI crashed to a 5-1 defeat at Weymouth in Hampshire Division?One.