Barnes: Fareham have to stop the mistakes

BEN BARNES has called on his Fareham side to cut out the mistakes after a disappointing weekend.
Fareham's Alex BoxallFareham's Alex Boxall
Fareham's Alex Boxall

The team lost 5-3 to Oxford in the England Hockey Cup on Sunday after a frustrating National League conference west draw at Bristol University on Saturday.

Fareham performance director Barnes rued the errors made in both matches.

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He said: ‘It was not a good weekend, we really need to cut out the unforced errors and sloppy turnovers to turn things around.

‘On Sunday we had quite a few changes to the squad from Saturday.

‘Injury and work commitments gave an opportunity to try other players in different positions, four defenders who played on Saturday were all unavailable.

‘We started well and despite going a goal down, quickly equalised.

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‘At 2-1 down at half-time we were still the dominant team but we lost our way and conceded three goals with sloppy play in our defensive third.

‘In the final 10 minutes we finished strongly and scored two goals, although some of that could be down to Oxford relaxing.’

Fareham struck first at Bristol on Saturday with a penalty corner conversion through Jamie Rawlings.

On 19 minutes Bristol equalised through Julian Bettie.

However, Fareham’s Rob Wilson made it 2-1 after a fine passing move.

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Fareham continued to dominate in the second half and Alex Boxall applied the deflection to a cross to extend the lead to 3-1 on 39 minutes.

Immediately after the restart Fareham failed to clear a loose ball in their D and conceded a penalty corner which saw Bettie net.

Seven minutes before the end Fareham again tried to move the ball out of their defence only to concede possession and Luke Crocker was on hand to snatch an equaliser.

Barnes added: ‘This is a game we should have won and we played well in the first half of the game.

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‘But it was our mistakes that let them back in which is very frustrating for the squad.’

Fareham Ladies failed to take their chances as they drew 1-1 with Southampton in South Clubs’ League division three B.

In the final minutes of the first half Fareham turned over the ball in midfield and Louise Hopkins crossed for Natalie Romain to slot home to put Southampton 1-0 up.

In the second half Rebecca Reavell slotted home on 60 minutes to bring the scores level.

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Fareham coach Steve Lemon said: ‘I’m bitterly disappointed we haven’t come away with all three points but also extremely pleased with the second-half performance.

‘We had a goal disallowed, hit the post twice, had one cleared off the line and their keeper had a blinder.

‘It was one of those days.’