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PROMOTION HOPES RIDING HIGH

Friday, March 7, 2008
Sport/Hockey
Aldershot and Farnham 0, IW II 4
THE IW produced one of their best performances yet to overturn top-of-the-table Aldershot and Farnham.
Everything clicked for the Island, despite the fact the side were missing some first-choice players and were forced to put Alan Ball in defence, plus play in an unfamiliar 4-4-1-1 formation.
In contrast, Aldershot, who have already scored 70-odd goals this season, struggled to get any form of flowing hockey together.
The Island took the lead in the 20th minute, when Craig Bruce played a neat one-two with Simon Butler and was put clear. His initial shot was cleared but the rebound fell kindly and he prodded home to give the Island the lead. It was 2-0 less than a minute later when Felix Stubbings grabbed a quick interception.
Things were even better before half time, when Bruce was again put through and he smashed home from the edge of the area through the keeper’s legs.
Maintaining the advantage would be key for the Island and they played a more defensive game in the second period. The outstanding defence of John Pearson and Jeremy Baldwin, led by the impressive Alan Ball, rarely let anything past them and when they did, Island keeper Mark Corney provided the assurance between the sticks. Meanwhile at the other end, Butler grabbed the game-winner after John Dixon hit the ball into the area from a free hit.
The win puts the Island second in the table and if they can win their final three games, promotion is theirs.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Southampton visit Smallbrook Stadium with an 11.30am start.
• Last week the IW 2nd XI drew 1-1 with a well-drilled Andover side, missing the chance to return to the top of the Hampshire Open League.
Andover took the lead when they pounced on an unlucky deflection from Graham Curtis’s stick but the Island equalised in the second half through captain Alan Ball.