Whitchurch 1-2 Holcombe  

Whitchurch entertained high flying Holcombe at WIS on Saturday, expecting to be asked some questioned by their esteemed squad.  Quite frankly it was Whitchurch who asked all the questions for 60 minutes.

The home side started brightly forcing a number of chances and marshalling Holcombe's danger players Denzil Dolley and Dave Matthews, to a few forays.  Skipper Iwan Williams was a virtual spectator for 35 minutes.  Whitchurch won a handful of first half penalty corners, but could not get their rhythym and routines right to break the deadlock.  Holcombe's goalkeeper continued to look susceptible, but Whitchurch could not capitalise.

Ending the first half level at 0-0, the game was finely balanced in scoreline alone - with Whitch having dominated possession and chances.

Following a rousing half time chat from Coach Tyrone Moore, Whitchurch came out firing and almost immediatley took the lead in open play through Joe Naughalty - who looked dangerous all game.  Whitchurch continued to enjoy good possession and opportunities, but allowed their Surrey opponents more time on the ball.  This built Holcombe's confidence and they forced an equaliser mid way through the second half - after an uncharacteristic mistake form the excellent Jonny Gordon.

Whitchurch were not dettered and continued to try and force a second, asking all sorts of questions of the Holcombe defence.  As a result Holcombe tried to slow the tempo of the game, embarking in stalling tactics which eventually wore the umpires' patients - sin-binning the Captain.

Whitchurch continued to press but could not break the deadlock.  The sucker-punch was dealt when a speculative aerial was launched over the Whitchurch defence to the back post.  The defenders thought the ball was going over the base line - only for Holcombe forward Matthews to prod home, on the bounce.

The home side could not force an equaliser and Holcombe stole all three points.

Squad vs Holcombe

Williams, Keating, Gordon, Benjamin, Brotherton, Westerman, Fisher, Whatling, Potter, Naughalty, El Khatib, Gough, Collis, Cosker