A CLINICAL Havant left Salisbury Hockey stunned after providing a set-piece masterclass to win a thrilling Hampshire Division One encounter 7-5.
The Lower Bemerton side made the trip across the county with the knowledge that the 5-2 defeat at Havant last season derailed a chance for promotion.
Looking to avenge that defeat, they got off to a flying start, racing to a 4-2 lead courtesy of goals from Jon Powell, Nick Easterbrook, Jagjit Marwaha and Tom Kuhle.
But a direct Havant side looked to counter through the long ball to veteran striker Andy Lloyd, who used his gumption to create a string of penalty corners.
Using the power of Aaron Hoare’s dragflicking, who converted five from six on the day, the home side were able to level the score at the break.
It was a frustrating second half for Salisbury, which saw them continually picked off going forward and unable to produce their best flowing hockey. Despite skipper Andy Renshaw briefly levelling the score at 5-5, it wasn’t enough, falling to a first league defeat of the season.
"The way we defended was unacceptable from front to back, to lose a match having scored five good goals and to not control the game against a team who didn't try to play hockey is bitterly disappointing," said Renshaw.
Salisbury host Bournemouth on Saturday.
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