Rob Forrest with Ollie Jordan in the background. Picture by Robin Crossley.
PICTURE GALLERY
HOCKEYIW II 3, Blandford and Sturminster 2
IW II took a huge step towards completing a miracle relegation escape for the second year running, with a vital victory over Blandford.
After beating relegation rivals Portsmouth and Southsea last week, the Island knew a win would put them in the driving seat to beat the drop and were soon on top in this match, despite playing with none of their first-choice forwards in the squad nor a recognised keeper.
After a lively opening ten minutes, during which the IW dominated play, they took the lead through in-form Rob Forrest who beat two defenders to shoot home into the corner.
With conditions worsening with driving wind and rain causing problems, Forrest then dazzled the Blandford defence, leaving three players standing and scoring a brilliant individual goal.
Blandford, who beat the Island 9-0 in the first match never really troubled the Island and at half time, the home side were well on top.
With the Island facing the driving rain in the second half, they became nervy in their play and, after a brilliant Richard Reynolds goal from a short corner, did not score again. Blandford began to come back into it and reduced the arrears when a forward shot home from a short corner and their second goal made for a very frantic final five minutes.
However, the IW held on for a deserved victory.
The result means the Island will finish above bottom-placed Fleet and Ewshot, with only Portsmouth and Southsea able to catch them and send them down.
To do this, Portsmouth would need to get four points from their remaining two games and hope the Island lose their remaining three.
Tomorrow (Saturday), the Island travel to Basingstoke knowing a point would definitely secure their status in the Hampshire Open League — an incredible feat given the side lost nine of their first 11 games.
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below.
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