Yateley 3-1 Salisbury
Yateley got off to a flying start in their opening league match on Saturday, gaining maximum points with a 3-1 win over Salisbury.
The match started both sides vying for ascendance with the ball remaining largely in the middle of the park. But, after ten minutes it was Salisbury who started to dominate the game; controlling the midfield and penetrating their attacking half. Creswell in goal, commanded the circle but half-way through the first half a well-executed penalty corner put the visitors ahead and it looked as though they would start to truly dominate the game.
Then against the run of possession, a little used quick pass up front gave Boorman the freedom to drive into the D and shoot. After a couple of parries between the keeper and eager forwards, Woods pounced to slot in the equaliser.
A cool head from the Yateley captain kept the hosts in possession even deep in their own half, frustrating the visitors and slowly the balance of play began to turn with the hosts finishing the half in the ascendance, winning a handful of penalty corners the Salisbury keeper did well to keep out.
A strong talk from Collins at half time, and the hosts started the second half in a far more dominant manner, playing the ball round with greater speed and accuracy. Five minutes in and Lasky drew a penalty corner, a change in tactics in the routine and Powell made no mistake with a deft touch to make it 2-1.
The visitors tried to counter and were rewarded with a couple of corners, but the reds held firm, and started to stretch the game. A break away and a goal mouth scramble put the hosts another goal ahead, with the final touch coming from Jacob Sealy.