Ladies 3 vs Havant 3

This weekend’s fixtures saw Alton L3s head south to play top of the table Havant. 

The home team immediately dominated play with a high press and swift accurate passing. Supported by their midfield, the Alton defence kept their shape and held Havant at bay. Unable to score from 2 penalty corners and failing to get past keeper Jinadasa, Havant stayed firmly pitched in Alton’s half for the first 20 minutes. Although the pace and agility of Kercher finally took the Alton forwards to the opposition circle, they could not sustain the attack.

Finally, defender Milner seized an opportunity to carry the ball from deep within her half, over the 25yard line and fire it into the circle to be expertly deflected into the goal by captain Ross. 

Looking somewhat surprised at conceding a goal, Havant came back on the attack but hard work from the midfield dynamos of Craig, White and Willatts saw Alton even up the flow of play and take a 1-0 lead into half time.  

The second half was again dominated by the Havant attack with 2 goals early in the half and although Chobbah picked up some play around the halfway line, Chinchin and Wilcox were not able to capitalise on their leading runs and maintain pressure in the circle. 

Prolonged pressure on Alton gave Havant a number of penalty corners which were superbly defended by Ryan with a goal line deflection and Jinadasa with some acrobatic saves. A fast break down the right allowed Havant to score again and in spite of the efforts of Wallace and Blanchard, a further goal meant the match finished 4-1.

Player of the match went to Jinadasa for repelling wave after wave of shots and the opposition nominated Blanchard as their PoM – a reflection of her excellent tackling and composure under pressure.