Verena’s double gives Havant Ladies south coast derby victory

Kim Tyrell, left, was Havant's player of the match in their victory over Brighton & Hove. Picture by Keith Woodland

Havant enter a second national lockdown third in the table, a point behind Haslemere and six behind Oxted who have won all six of their games so far.

Havant were due to face Oxted next weekend.

After missing an early penalty corner, Alice Worsley, Grave and player of the match Kim Tyrell engineered shooting positions without forcing the visiting keeper into a save.

After Ella Welch won a third penalty corner in the 25th minute, a deflection from Rae Allen brought a good save.

It wasn’t until the 31st minute that Brighton made their first meaningful attack, but the centre back pairing of Louisa Taylor and Alice Lane has been solid all season and snuffed out the danger.

When Brighton did manage a shot on goal just before the end of the half, it was a weak effort that keeper Pippa Jones dealt with easily.

Havant started the second half by looking to utilise the pace of Poppy Herbert and get behind the left side of the Brighton defence.

Within four minutes she did just that, winning yet another penalty corner from which Worsley’s shot was cleared off the line.

Finally, after 43 minutes, Verena Grave settled the nerves of the home supporters with a drive into the circle and lifted backhand shot over the oncoming keeper.

When skipper Izzy Parry was bundled over by a clumsy challenge, Havant doubled their lead - a slip and slap shot routine from the penalty corner was neatly deflected in by Grave. Brighton grabbed a consolation two minutes from time, via a penalty corner, after Jones had saved the initial shot.