It was the late, late present for Holcombe on Sunday afternoon as Nick Bandurak’s facet got here again from two objectives all the way down to salvage a draw in opposition to Division One South leaders Surbiton 2s at Holcombe Park.
A primary-half brace from Hannah Denison had put the away facet right into a commanding lead however objectives from Lottie Bingham and Phoebe Steele ensured that Holcombe grew to become the primary facet to return away from a sport with Surbiton 2s this season with any factors, ending the leaders’ 100% file 13 video games in.
Each groups had probabilities within the first quarter after a quiet first 10 minutes, Tilly Tillings teeing up Hannah Carney who pressured Jemma Woods right into a save with successful, earlier than Deanna Ritchie additionally deflecting an effort on course and seeing Woods deny her a second aim in as many matches and days.
Tilly Woodhead was quickly in motion on the different finish, making a snug save earlier than Surbiton took the lead with round a minute left to play within the opening quarter by Denison.
A slap into the circle was deflected into Denison’s path, she expertly managed and spun earlier than unleashing a strong strike previous the outstretched Woodhead to provide Will Fulker’s facet the benefit.
Holcombe noticed good primary operating cease a penalty nook effort early on within the second interval earlier than Denison doubled her tally from shut vary – free marking giving her the possibility to deflect dwelling simply on the again put up.
Ritchie pressured Woods into one other save minutes later as Holcombe regarded to halve the deficit earlier than Emma Bandurak noticed one other penalty nook effort denied.
The deficit was nearly lowered lower than 5 minutes into the third quarter when Bandurak got here shut from consecutive penalty corners however Woodhead was quickly again in motion to disclaim the guests a 3rd.
The Late Comeback
It wasn’t till the final 30 seconds of the interval that Holcombe scored, Bingham deflecting in from Bandurak’s slap at one other penalty nook, giving Holcombe and the vociferous terrace crowd renewed hope heading into the ultimate 17-and-a-half minutes.
Holcombe moved the ball effectively all through the primary three quarters of the pitch within the fourth quarter however struggled to search out the precise last move or contact into extra harmful areas and the circle, Surbiton defending effectively.
Woodhead was taken off with simply over three minutes to play as Bandurak bravely switched to 11 outfield gamers, earlier than a inexperienced card for brace-scorer Denison gave Holcs a two-player benefit outfield.
It was that benefit that allowed them to create overloads to win a penalty nook within the final two minutes, with Phoebe Steele’s drag-flick deflecting in off a defender’s foot because the New Zealander scored her ninth league aim of the season, reaching double figures in all competitions.
The hard-earned draw extends Holcombe’s unbeaten run to 5 matches within the league and provides Bandurak’s facet a two-point benefit over Barnes within the promotion race, who they face on Saturday, sixteenth March at Holcombe Park of their penultimate Division One South fixture of 2023/24.
This weekend, Holcombe will face Harleston Magpies (2pm Saturday) at Holcombe Park forward of dwelling fixtures for our M2s (4pm) and M1s (6pm) whereas Barnes tackle Southgate.