Aldershot & Farnham (A&F) Hockey Club’s ladies’ first team crashed to an emphatic 6-1 defeat at South East Women’s Premier Division promotion contenders Knole Park on Saturday.

Knole Park set the pace from the first whistle, and the home side’s forwards weaved their way through the A&F team at will early on.

The visitors began to find their feet though, and balls found their way through to Sophie Edwards and Charlotte Clive for some early attempts.

Knole Park took a grip on the game and kept the A&F defence busy with their relentless attacking play.

A&F keeper Taylor Goodrich smothered a number of shots, but the constant overloads from Knole Park soon took their toll and the hosts scored the opening goal with a well-taken reverse shot.

Not to be outdone, A&F quickly won a corner. The first was saved, but the second was scored by Phoebe Bryant to make it 1-1 and get the Shots back on level terms.

Parity did not last for long and Knole Park scored three goals in ten minutes to open up a convincing 4-1 lead at half-time.

The Shots regrouped at half-time and went back out onto the pitch ready to give their all to stay in the game.

As a defensive unit A&F were much improved in the second half.

Knole Park added two goals to their tally after the break to open up a comprehensive 6-1 lead.

A&F kept battling away despite the deficit, and nearly pulled a goal back late on when they won a corner, but Knole Park dealt with the danger to remain well placed for promotion in second place in the league table.

Aldershot & Farnham will hope to return to winning ways when they host Horsham on Saturday (1.30pm start).