‘Plenty of positives’ for Fareham coach after National League relegation is confirmed

They scored three times in the last ten minutes against Sevenoaks to reel in a 3-0 deficit and force a 3-3 draw which secured the point they needed to end all hopes of a Fareham hockey miracle.

Teddington’s dramatic equaliser came from a penalty corner in the set-piece time added on after the umpires had blown for full-time.

As it was, Fareham – with only two victories all season – needed to win their final two matches of a now suspended season (against Havant and Team Bath) to stand any remote chance of finishing second from bottom.

They would also have had to rely on Teddington losing their last two games.

It means that Fareham have finished last and will play in either the Eastern (with Chichester) or Western Conference next season.

Head coach Ben Barnes said he was ‘gutted’ to have been relegated.

“But, having been promoted into a very strong National League South via the play-offs, it was always going to be a tough challenge this season.

‘We have had so much thrown at us from pre-season (when influential captain Niall Stott and striker James Speke broke their legs in the same week) and all the way through the winter that has made it a very hard and frustrating year.

We still have the Hampshire Cup to focus on so we shall try and regroup quickly to be ready for that - should it go ahead, of course.”

Reflecting on the season, Barnes added: “The numbers don’t lie.

‘Not enough goals for, too many goals against and not enough points.

‘The guys have not stopped fighting, but we have been up against better teams who have ultimately been better in both circles than us.

‘But we have a very young and, in many respects, talented squad, with an excellent youth section, so there are plenty of positive aspects for the future.’