Draw Against the Top for Mens Vets

Portsmouth put in a tremendous all round team effort to earn a 2 - 2 draw and left the visitors feeling really lucky they came away with a point.

The game was played at a high tempo with both sides creating chances but it was no surprise when Tim Schofield opened the scoring after he collected a rebound off the keeper from Dave Simmons's ambitious reverse undercut. Haslemere attacked in numbers and after an initial shot was blocked one of their forwards sneaked in at the far post to tap in the equaliser.

15 minutes into the second half Karl Young (who might have to change his surname soon as he is rapidly approaching 60) hit a peach of a strike into the bottom corner from the top of the D; Schofield was instrumental in the build up. Haslemere pushed forward in numbers but thanks to some resolute defending and Chris Lawrence holding firm in goal Portsmouth kept the lead until the last few minutes. It was played in such a good spirit that when Haslemere wingers's undercut incapacitated his own centre forward Pete Rayner suggested we lend them our supersub - Alan Duffy - but thankfully it wasn't Alan who scored the equaliser.

The match provided an excellent opportunity for Rob Dodwell, whose only previous hockey experience had been walking hockey, to play his first match. His efforts earned him the Man of the Match and we look forward to him playing for us again.

MOM: Rob Dodwell
DOD: Mark Wheeler - green card; first for quite a while!