Honours are even in spirited derby clash (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Honours are even in spirited derby clash

FORDINGBRIDGE and Salisbury hockey men shared the spoils in their Hamp-shire Division One derby clash.

Salisbury, hoping to recapture their form after a disappointing January, made an encouraging start. Passing the ball well, they created a number of chances but were unable to convert their fluent play into goals.

The early part of the match saw Fordingbridge largely confined to their own half.

Andy Grandfield worked hard to get around the home defence, only for his shot across the goal mouth to go to safety because no-one was at the far post. Ben Croxall was in fine form, but was twice denied by the goalkeeper.

Nevertheless it was Salisbury who took the initiative. Baker and Head both scored from short corners and Salisbury went into the break looking comfortable.

But Fordingbridge are not a side to give up easily and began their fightback early in the second half, deflecting a cross into the net.

Salisbury held on to their lead through a converted penalty flick from Andy Miles only for Fordingbridge to reply with another clever deflection.

Dines was sent off with a yellow card and soon after so was a Fordingbridge defender.

With just minutes of the match to go, the pitch emptied still further when a groin strain forced Salisbury's Rob Selbie off.

Four minutes from the close, Pete Menzies scored the equaliser for 'Bridge, getting his stick to a wide short corner strike deflecting the ball past Green in the Salisbury goal.

On Saturday Salisbury visit Wimborne Wayfarers, currently a point behind them in the table.

Salisbury ladies secured another valuable three points with a first class display against higher rated Bristol University.

The 5-2 scoreline was ample revenge for an earlier 4-0 drubbing by the young Uni team.

In the first half the exchanges were equal and Salisbury did well to put away three of their chances to Bristol's one.

In the second half experience told and Salisbury dominated.

The result, combined with the recent 8-1 success over Nailsea, takes the ladies up to fifth in the table.

They now have a two week break from league fixtures and entertain Marlborough in a friendly on Saturday, 10am start.