HOCKEYIW 6, Southampton Otters 1
PROMOTION is almost in sight for IW after another victory, but only after what was, by their current standards, a disappointing start.
On a cold afternoon at Smallbrook, the pitch was much bouncier than normal because of the temperature, and this made for a very scrappy start, as IW struggled to find a rhythm.
But after a break to decide whether or not to continue the game, IW found their form and within three minutes, they took the lead through Stephen Woodford’s short corner.
Woodford made it two from a penalty corner before Rob Forrest and Colin Simmonds found the net. Forrest picked up his brace to give the Island a 5-0 half-time lead.
The second half was quieter with Otters pulling a goal back. But that effort was cancelled as Woodford netted his hat-trick goal, taking his tally to 46 for the season.
Speer ensured Otters failed to score again with a couple of impressive saves, while Woodford saw two further strikes chalked off close to the end.
A win at Fordingbridge in two weeks’ time will almost certainly guarantee promotion.