HOCKEYBasingstoke III 3, IW II 0
RELEGATION still threatens the IW’s second team after this defeat against Basingstoke.
Unavailability of several players, which included the team’s first choice forwards and three of their influencial midfielders, meant the side only travelled with ten men,
They were up against it from the start but did well in the first half, goalkeeper Neil Harris producing two great saves and Chris Ashton solid in defence.
After a goalless first half, Basingstoke broke the deadlock in the second half with three goals to secure victory.
IW II are still not mathematically safe from relegation and depend on Basingstoke to avoid defeat against Portsmouth and Southsea next weekend, as well as winning their next match against Gillingham.
Meanwhile, the team have made it to the semi-finals of the Hampshire Trophy without hitting a ball, after opponents Gillingham conceded the match.