Harlequins Ladies Hockey Match Report

Harlequins 3 – Railway Union 1 (Railway go through 3-3 agg)

Club Championship Playoff - Second Leg

Saturday 23th March 2005

Scorers: Jane Chapple 2, Karen Bateman

From the starting whistle it was clear that Harlequins were aware of the job they had to do to, being 2-0 down on aggregate going into the game. Right from the start, they played a fast passing game and dominated the opening half well. Harlequins managed to break the deadlock when Karen Bateman passed the ball to Jane Chapple, who beat the keeper and hit the backboard. Harlequins continued to attack and won a succession of short corners with the Railway Union keeper pulling off crucial saves. Harlequins short corner efforts were rewarded when Karen B scored a direct shot to equalize the score on aggregate. Great play by Rachael Kohler in midfield led to a number of strong attacks by Harlequins and again it was Jane Chapple who received the ball, rounded the keeper and put Harlequins 3-0 up, a goal ahead on aggregate.

Railway Union never gave up and upped the pace in the second half. They succeeded in winning short corners which Harlequins defended well. Always aware that they needed just one away goal to win the match, they continued to put pressure on Harlequins. Harlequins continued to attack and were unlucky not to score another goal with the ball being saved off the line on numerous occasions. In a controversial umpiring decision, Railway were awarded a short corner with 3 minutes remaining on the clock. They converted the corner into a vital away goal. Harlequins devastated, never gave up and another controversial umpiring decision saw Harlequins denied a short corner in attack. Full time whistle result was 3-1 but meant Railway qualified on aggregate after winning the vital away goal. Heartbreak for Harlequins of the highest order.