Portsmouth throw away 4-2 lead in opening Hampshire/Surrey game of the new hockey season

Stuart Avery netted twice for Portsmouth in their 5-4 home loss to Sunbury. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

They led 4-2 at one stage in the second half at Furze Lane but allowed the visitors - relegated last season with just one win to their name - to hit back and claim a 5-4 success.

Portsmouth fell behind early on, but hit back through a Stu Avery double to lead at the interval.

Sunbury came out strong after the break, equalising from open play, but two goals from Will Hartley put the hosts back in command.

Luke Parsons on the ball for Portsmouth during their 5-4 loss to Sunbury. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Portsmouth travel to Teddington, the other club relegated in 2019/20, this weekend. Teddington began the season with a 5-5 draw at Hamble.

Portsmouth 2nds’ Hampshire Division 3 campaign began badly with a 7-0 hammering at Winchester 4ths.

Visiting keeper Steven Rowlands earnt himself a green card for wiping out a Winchester forward in the first half, conceding a penalty in the process.

Portsmouth were further hampered when Jon Veck talked his way into upgrading a green card to a yellow and having an extended rest in the sinbin.

Owen Barnes in possession for Portsmouth against Sunbury at Furze Lane. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Portsmouth 3rds came from behind to beat Fareham 6ths in their opening Hampshire Division 5 encounter.

The visitors took an early lead through a penalty corner strike.

Debutant Lee Harris went close to levelling when he rounded the keeper but saw his shot strike the leg of a Fareham defender.

Portsmouth equalised when, after good work from Colin Brown and Daniel Snelling, midfielder David Johns was on target.

Jez Bulled battles for possession during Portsmouth's loss to Sunbury. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

The hosts took the lead when Alex Williams netted with a powerful low short corner flickr.

Liam Green added a third, after his initial shot had been saved, before half-time.

Home keeper Jack Hargreaves produced some fine saves to keep the second half scoreline blank.

Man of the match Ryan Rochester terrorised the Fareham defence with his runs up the wing, and went closest to a fourth goal when a reverse stick effort drifted narrowly wide.

Action from Portsmouth's 5-4 Hampshire/Surrey League home loss to Sunbury at Furze Lane. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Portsmouth travel to Southampton 3rds this weekend.

Portsmouth 4ths’ final pre-season friendly saw them go down 3-0 at Havant 7ths.

After keeper Jack Hargreaves was beaten twice in the first half, Portsmouth started the second period on the attack.

There was some excellent work by man of the match Caleb Rowlands in the middle and bursts down the wing by Jack Burns.

Unfortunately, Portsmouth failed to convert any of their chances and Havant added a third goal in the final quarter.

Portsmouth Vets conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with West Wilts in their opening league game.

Wilts had the upper hand in the early exchanges but it was Portsmouth who took the lead when John Pratt deliberately let the ball through to the better-placed Pete Wingate to score.

Wilts equalised before half-time but Portsmouth retook the lead with John Pratt converting a Mark Taylor pass.

Central defenders Colin Metcalfe and Dave Edwards - voted joint men of the match - battled hard to reduce the number of clear-cut chances for Wilts.

But the visitors sneaked an equaliser with five minutes remaining.