HERTFORD VETS 2

WITHAM VETS 3

England Over-40s Trophy round two

WITHAM Hockey Club's Vets came back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 3-2 win at Hertford and progress into round three of the England Over-40s Trophy.

The visitors got on the front foot early but were unable to take their chances, including Nic Hull and skipper Gavin Dixon both failing to find the target from close range.

As is often the case when chances are missed, it is taken when it falls at the other end and this was exactly what happened.

A Hertford forward lifted the ball over both Witham keeper Arwen James and the visitors' defender and into the net to take a half-time lead.

Witham couldn't quite believe where it had gone wrong, but the second half started with a buoyant Hertford going further ahead when a quick free-hit saw the midfield wrong-sided, the defensive over-run and the ball in the back of the net.

However, that goal signalled a Witham revival.

First, a block on the line from a Hertford body was seen by the home umpire, who signalled a flick.

Sam Taylor left no-one in doubt that he fancied it and proved his point, beating the keeper with guile and power.

Next came a lovely move through the midfield involving Chris Harrington, Nick Gillet, Ben Farmer and Carl Parkes that set up Hull to sweep the ball first time past the keeper for an equalising goal.

Witham had thrown caution to the wind to get level and a draw was not in their plan so they went forward again and another slick move down the right saw Parkes slip the ball to Taylor, who score his second and Witham's winning goal.

They dug in late on as they held on to seal the victory and move into the third round.