Students stunned by Salisbury blast (From Daily Echo)

Students stunned by Salisbury blast

6:40am Wednesday 1st February 2012 in General Sport

Salisbury scored four second half goals to thrash Southampton University 5-1 and remain one point behind Haslemere in what has become a two-horse race for the Hampshire Hockey League title.

While Haslemere were once again racking up the goals – they thrashed Blandford & Sturminster 12-1 at Woolmer Hill – third-placed Winchester II fell to a 4-1 defeat at Aldershot & Farnham and are now seven points adrift of the leading pair.

Salisbury, whose February 18 showdown with Haslemere at Bemerton seems a likely title decider, were flattering 5-1 winners against a University side that were lacking at penalty corner routines.

The visitors took an early lead on the slippery Wide Lane surface – James Hayward picking up a fine pass from Tom Smith and rounding two defenders to score with a strong reverse stick shot.

Salisbury’s lead was shortlived – Mike Swinden sending a penalty corner screaming into the roof of Tim Green’s net.

It was Green’s agility that kept the Wessex students at bay until half-time. Salisbury’s second string goalkeeper made a series of fine saves – his performances warranting the man-of-the-match award.

Tom Morton’s drag-flick into the top right-hand corner early in the second half changed the course of the game.

It left the University chasing the game and leaving space for Salisbury to exploit.

They did it effectively too, with Henry Davies sealing the result with a deft deflection after some more handy creative work by Smith.

Still the students huffed and puffed at their penalty corners – and got nothing right.

Salisbury took their chances at the other end with Rory McTaggart scoring the fourth with a reverse stick shot and the tiring Hayward a fifth from close range.

See today's Southern Daily Echo for a full hockey round-up.