HASLEMERE 5, SUNBURY & W H 2

RESPONDING in the best possible way to last week’s defeat, Haslemere gave a devastating display against second-placed Sunbury & Walton Hawks to remain top of Hants/Surrey 2.

Andy Powell bagged a brace of goals – both clinically taken – and there was one apiece for James Bennett, Nic Cope and Ed Whitworth.

The Hawks scored two goals of their own, but there was no coming back from a 5-1 deficit, the sides having been level 1-1 at half-time.

Cope put Haslemere ahead with a superb solo effort. Picking the ball up on the halfway line, he accelerated past defenders and drove across the D before drilling his shot into the bottom corner.

Sunbury’s equaliser was a controversial affair. The visitors won a short corner and post man Rob Dilworth’s inch-perfect tackle placed the ball on the forward’s foot. But this was missed by the umpire and the forward had an easy finish.

Despite Haslemere’s dominance, it remained 1-1 at the interval, but they were certainly fired up for the second half and the Hawks had no answer as the Blues surged into a 4-1 lead.

Bennett restored the lead with a trademark hit from a short corner. The shot was low and hard and right into the corner – too good for most keepers.

Andy Powell soon got on the scoresheet. Taking possession inside the D, the forward drew the keeper and coolly slotted home from a tight angle.

Next, the talented Whitworth, having missed four games, created space for himself and scored beautifully on the reverse stick.

Powell completed the scoring with a neat finish for his second goal and Haslemere went off to a standing ovation.

Skipper Rob Dilworth had to retired from the action with a nasty head injury, but hopes to be back for the trip to to Addiscombe.