HOCKEY: HAMPTON bounced back from a bitter defeat to local rivals Coventry with a 3-2 victory over promotion rivals Boots, which sees them leapfrog their opponents into top spot in Midlands League Division Two.
Hampton started the game with focus and energy, and were winning penalty corners at will, but some rueful finishing meant that those corners went begging.
However, Hampton’s decisive passing and movement saw them score two goals before half time, both scored by Chris Popplewell after great work from Dafydd Bowles.
Predictably, Boots improved after the break and started to create chances of their own.
Their pressure wore off with Adam Innocent scoring a neat reverse stick goal and when James Cameron-Williams converted from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go, it looked like the visitors had the momentum to go and win the game.
Hampton had other ideas however, and started to create chances again. A Jas Ghata-Aura finish from a penalty corner routine gave Hampton the crucial goal and, despite a nervy final few minutes, the home side saw it out and returned to the top of the league.
Hampton take on local rivals Old Silhillians this weekend, looking to go three points closer to promotion.
