Portsmouth have a Hasle-mare

As with every hockey Saturday, there was weather - to the dismay of the teams trio of gingers, it was sunny.

The game had a cagey start, with attacks at both ends but these came to nothing. Sadly Portsmouth developed a case of mass lethargy and allowed Haslemere to take charge of the game through lazy 50-50s, misplaced passes and movement as fast as continental drift. Making the most of this a Haslemere striker slipped his marker in the D to meet a cross and send the ball beyond Pompey's diving keeper, Ed Smyth, to take the lead.

The home team continued to pepper the Portsmouth goal, but a thoroughly disgruntled Smyth mastered his emotions and through a combination of sublime saves and judicious leaves kept the score to 1-0.

Captain Dave Johns delivered an impassioned half time talk about wanting the ball, wanting the game and wanting the win. Portsmouth listened and decided that 2 out of 3 was probably good enough. They proceeded to start the half almost as brightly as the aforementioned sky and not long after drew level with Chris Stone finishing off a flowing sequence.

Sadly Haslemere recaptured the lead after converting a confusingly awarded penalty corner. Immediately after Pompey thought they had rebalanced the match only for the goal to be overturned for an infraction by the attackers.

With the game drawing to a close there was still time for Andy Arnell to crack out a home run worthy baseball hit, Charlie Boz to beat multiple adults and Dan Hargreaves to beat several children.

Smyth capped things off with audacious athleticism to clear away a shot all others believed to be a nailed on third goal & showed why, once again, he was man of the match.

Dick of the day was awarded to Alex Williams for his innovative approach to penalty corner post coverage and assortment of aerial balls.

Overall another tough loss to swallow, but with many promising signs to take forward to the 3s next game - the Odyssey that is Gillingham away on the 28th.