WITHAM 5 WEST HERTS 3

East League division 2S

Witham Hockey Club men’s first-team bounced back from a crushing defeat to Upminster that dealt their hopes of promotion a big blow as they beat West Herts to move into the top three in division two south.

West Herts have been promotion contenders all season having never left the top four positions and a thrilling encounter ensued.

Witham, who are sponsored by Omars of Hatfield Peverel, started off a little too relaxed as they invited the Hertfordshire team to attack their circle with numerous defensive errors.

That saw them gift two early goals to the visitors after just ten minutes.

But buoyed by a boisterous home support, Witham changed tack and grew into the game, pulling one back through a converted short corner by Richard Marshall.

Home skipper Marshall then dispossessed the West Herts defence to set up Luke Mepham, who coolly slipped the ball to James Suett and he made sure it was level at the break.

The second half saw a resurgent Witham dominating early possession and despite going 3-2 down against the run of play, they soon found the target with an equalising goal after a solo effort at the near post from Tom Wilsher.

Now thoroughly on top and with West Herts struggling to maintain their composure, Witham pressed home their advantage with two superb short corner goals from Suett.

The first was a power drag flick to the top corner that left the goalkeeper flailing and the second was a reactionary rebound smash from the top of the circle after his first effort was well saved.

However, despite his hat-trick, Suett was denied a man-of-the-match award by an virtuoso attacking display by teenager Michael Roberts.

Their 5-3 win lifted Witham into the top three, but their promotion dreams lie in the hands of second-placed East London, who need just one win from their remaining two games.

Wapping, who have already been crowned champions, are Witham’s