21st September 2010
Whitchurch make an encouraging start
Whitchurch made an encouraging start to their 2010-11 England Hockey League campaign with a 1-1 draw at Fareham, a side they lost to twice in the 2009-10 season. Both teams made a cautious start to the game with few goal-scoring chances but after fifteen minutes Whitchurch created a good opening, a deflection from Mark Whatling going just wide after a flowing move between Doug Young and Adam Barker. Both teams created just one penalty corner apiece in the first half, with the defences remaining solid and clearing any danger.
The second half started brightly and it was Fareham who broke the deadlock, Sam Hiscock scoring in open play three minutes into the half after a loose clearance from the Whitchurch defence. Whitchurch responded well, creating some good opportunities, and were duly rewarded approaching the midpoint of the half with an equalising goal from Ben Croxall. Whitchurch were enjoying the better possession and went agonisingly close to the winner from a fine penalty corner move in the dying minutes, but the game ended all square, a good away point gained by Whitchurch.
