Haslemere Hockey Club’s men’s first team secured a resounding 5-0 victory against Henley thanks to a commanding display full of skill and determination that showcased their prowess on the field.
The game kicked off with a bang as Andy Powell – who was a stand-out performer on the day – set the tone and unleashed a low and powerful shot into the bottom corner.
Powell swiftly struck again, as he found himself in the D and expertly flicked the ball into the top corner to double Haslemere’s lead. With a 2-0 advantage at half-time, Haslemere exuded confidence but faced a resilient Henley side still vying to make an impact.
Haslemere asserted their dominance in the second half and dictated the flow of the game, while Henley fought to stay in contention. Jake Combes found the back of the net after seizing on an opportunity in the D and slotting the ball past the goalkeeper with a clever reverse hit.
Haslemere soon extended their lead through Josh Eve. Following a thwarted drag flick attempt, Eve capitalised on the loose ball and smashed it emphatically into the goal.
The icing on the cake came from Alex Knight, who sealed the deal with a fifth goal to cap off a fine team move featuring precise passes and intelligent play. A smart pass from Ian Butcher found Knight with an open goal, and he made no mistake in finishing the move.