Hockey / HA Cup: Hounslow make it three
Hounslow. . . . . . . . .3
East Grinstead. . .1
HOUNSLOW yesterday marched to their third successive HA Cup final with a powerful 3-1 win against East Grinstead at Feltham in the semi-final of the club competition sponsored this year by Royal Bank of Scotland, writes Bill Colwill.
After surviving early pressure, Hounslow went ahead in the 13th minute. Simon Hazlitt wove his way through the Grinstead defence to set up the goal for Rob Thompson.
A minute later Nick Gordon might have put them further ahead but for a brave point-blank save by Dave Luckes. At the other end Jason Barrow saved well from Rob Clift before, in the 25th minute, Dave Hacker put Hounslow further ahead.
With the gamble of playing Bram van Asselt in midfield having failed, Grinstead introduced Jonathan Couves and immediately tightened their defence. They were rewarded with a penalty corner from which Phil Wallis converted to put them back into the game.
The killer blow came with four minutes remaining when Rob Crutchley sealed victory as the Grinstead defence stood watching.
Hounslow: J Barrow; M Williamson, P Bolland, S Hobson, R Crutchley, D Hacker, J Potter, S Hazlitt (capt), N Gordon, R Thompson, J Rees. Substitute used: G Swayne.
East Grinstead: D Luckes; P Wallis, B Barnes, R Organ (capt), D Mullins, B van Asselt, R Clift, R Leman, S Head, J Lee, M Bhatti. Substitutes used: J Couves and R Gibson.
Umpires: K Roper (NCHUA) and N Lockhart (WCHUA).
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