Boswell stays positive after City's derby heartbreak

City of Portsmouth suffered late heartbreak in a 4-3 derby defeat to Havant in Hampshire League division one.
Ian Cheshire celebrates the first of his two goals. Picture: Mick Young (161181-04)Ian Cheshire celebrates the first of his two goals. Picture: Mick Young (161181-04)
Ian Cheshire celebrates the first of his two goals. Picture: Mick Young (161181-04)

The Furze Lane hosts were on the verge of a great win before two late goals from the visitors turned the tables.

Havant took an early lead but City equalised with the final play of the first half as Ian Cheshire fired home from a short corner.

After the break the game became more open.

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Havant once again took the lead but this setback only spurred their hosts on.

A deflected effort from man-of-the-match Luke Parsons hauled them level before another short corner strike from Cheshire made it 3-2.

And the hosts looked like holding on to all three points as Richard Clements made a brilliant goalline block.

But Havant were not finished and made it 3-3 from a short corner before they won a penalty stroke.

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Goalkeeper Ed Smyth was sent off, leaving Jamie Moore to deputise between the posts but he was unable to prevent the winner.

Skipper Rob Boswell said: ‘The result was unfair on what was a fantastic team performance.

‘It was some of the best hockey I have seen since I returned to the club 14 months ago.’

Alan Ball scored at City’s second string lost 2-1 to Wimborne Wayfarers in division three.

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The third team lost 5-4 to Poole in division six, with star-man Pete Wingate scoring two and Matt Pole and Martin King also netting.

The ladies’ second string lost 11-1 at Eastleigh in the fifth tier of the women’s league.