Hampstead at home, Prem - 24 Feb 2007
In this preview of the Flags final in four weeks time, it was Purley who started brightly. Good movement on and off the ball gave them a long period controlled possession, and with the attack zipping the ball round Purley were causing Hampstead all sorts of trouble as they eased in to a 2-0 lead. Then, for some unknown reason, Purley seemed to just take their foot off the gas, allowing Hampstead back into the game, and they took full advantage to take a 2-3 lead at quarter time.
Hampstead continued to stretch their lead in the second quarter, going up 2-5, but Purley drew back to within one to bring the game to 4-5 at the half. With the scores so close, this match was turning into well a contested and excellent display of lacrosse. The third quarter was again a really tight affair, with both sides battling hard for supremacy, which resulted in only a single goal for each team in the quarter, Purley first levelling the scores, and then Hampstead re-established their lead at 5-6.
For the first five minutes of the last quarter it looked like that might remain the score, as both defences were working hard to limit any scoring opportunities, but it was Purley who eventually managed to take the upper hand with goals from Jesse O'Hanley and Graeme Holland, both of whom had excellent games, which gave Purley their first lead since the first quarter. As Hampstead tried to press the ball, Jesse O'Hanley capitalised on the extra space this gave to give Purley a more comfortable 2 goal margin, which they managed to hold on to take the final score to 8-6. With a good all-round team performance, Purley will be well pleased with their days work.
Ref: Simon Peach
Goals: Jesse O'Hanley 3, Graeme Holland 3, Mike Barrett 2
Photos by Steve Cluney.