Fareham Women miss out on chance to put down marker in championship race against Old Georgians

The top-of-the-table showdown ended 1-1, leaving the leaders one point clear of their second-placed Weybridge rivals with six matches left to play.

But Fareham, who enjoy a superior goal difference going into the run-in, ought to have won it, writes Mike Vimpany.

Trailing at the break, they squandered an early second-half penalty stroke and then failed to convert any of the staggering number of 15 short corners they forced.

The stalemate means that Fareham, with a far tougher finish to the season, will probably have to win all their remaining matches if they are to lift the title.

OGs are the only side to have beaten the leaders this term - 3-0 in the autumn - and it looked as though they might repeat that feat when Nicky Campling put them ahead in the 15th-minute, ironically, from a penalty corner.

Fareham battered long and hard at the visitors’ door after the restart, top scorer Heather Batten wasting a penalty stroke which Georgians’ keeper Jess Ross saved comfortably.

But they did eventually equalise midway through the second half through Georgina Collins, but so many short corners opportunities were squandered as the they continually tried to pass the ball into the OGs goal instead of getting shots on target.

Upcoming matches against Southampton and Winchester - fourth and fifth in the log respectively - are clearly going to be vital for Fareham.