HOCKEY: LEADERS Hampton edged closer to securing the Midland League Division One title thanks to a comfortable 3-0 victory on the road at second-placed Telford.
Promotion has now already been secured for Hampton after they came out victorious in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.
Telford started brightly, moving the ball about at pace and causing Hampton a few headaches, however, Hampton soon got to grips with the game and started to assert their own dominance.
After a couple of half chances, a slick passing move saw Dafydd Bowles cross for Chris Popplewell to finish at the far post for his 11th goal of the season to put the visitors 1-0 up.
Hampton doubled their lead shortly before half-time, with Jon Coleman converting a penalty corner to score his 14th of the season.
Knowing that Telford would come back strong in the second half, Hampton’s defensive intensity increased and ensured that the home side only had a few chances to get back in the game.
As the half wore on Telford realised that their efforts were not going to be fruitful, and Hampton sealed all three points when a defense splitting pass from Warrick Laverick put Luke Wood-Edens through on goal, only for him to square to Bowles to easily tap in his 25th of the season.
Hampton host bottom-of-the-table Shrewsbury this weekend, knowing that a point in either of their final two games will see them crowned Midlands Division Two champions.
