Andover Hockey’s ladies and boys made sponsors HugoFox.com very proud, when they put in two fantastic performances last weekend.
Andover Ladies 1st team rein triumphant after last weekend's match against Basingstoke
Andover Ladies 1st team continued their good run of form with an impressive victory over local rivals Basingstoke, with a final score 6 – 3. This was a must-win game for the ladies as they maintained their pressure on the league leaders Yateley who they come up against next week.
Andover started brightly but could not get a decent effort on target until an excellent run and persistence from Eleri Watson ended with Jacqui West opening the scoring with a simple tap in. Anika Drage had a fine effort saved by the keeper from a short corner and Hannah Cowley also went close with a stinging shot, before West doubled the lead midway through the first half after latching onto a superb ball from Reah Li and then completed her hat-trick in similar fashion after an initial shot from Anika Drage. The best goal of the game came just before half time: a fine flowing move involving several players ended with Ellie Ingram cooley rounding the keeper to make it four.
The ladies knew they could not be complacent as Basingstoke had shown some attacking promise in the first half, but they started sloppy and conceded and early goal before West restored their four goal cushion with her fourth and Andover’s fifth after good work from Ellie Ingram. Andover were continually getting caught with the long ball out of defence as Basingstoke broke away and scored another, but the see-saw second half continued as a well worked short corner between Anika Drage and Karen Winnett resulted in Drage calmly slotting home Andover sixth. Basingstoke completed the scoring with their third but this was Andover’s day and they remain in second place.
The Ladies travel to Yateley next week for their penultimate game knowing that a victory will put pressure on their opposition, who are five points ahead, for the final game of the season.
Bearing their new HugoFox.com strip, Andover's U14's team beat Farnham U14s 8 - 5
The Club’s U14 boys also put in an impressive performance, playing their first game sporting their new HugoFox.com shirts and winning the match against Farnham U14s.
Looking the part, they began well but found themselves 2 – 0 down to Aldershot & Farnham after 5 minutes. Some adjustments in midfield saw Andover begin to take more control and they got just reward for some good passing play when they got one goal back and soon drew level. It was the opposition who regained the lead and increased it when some sloppy defending left the keeper no chance. Andover fought back to make it 4-4 at half time.
Liam O’Sullivan began to command the game and scored some impressive goals to give Andover a lead before Aldershot & Farnham got one back. However, Andover had the game won and were able to seal a fine win when goal number 8 went in. The final score was 8-5. Thanks to Sam Goacher for umpiring and to all the parents for their support.
Andover Hockey Club also wishes to thank HugoFox.com for the company’s sponsorship, and from all the team, we wish to return the gratitude – for displaying such brilliant skills whilst bearing our logo and making the Fox proud!
For more information, visit http://www.andoverhockey.co.uk/