Aldershot & Farnham (A&F) Hockey Club’s ladies’ first team earned an impressive 1-0 win at home to Holcombe’s second team in the South East Women’s Premier Division.

The highly-anticipated clash between the Shots and Holcombe lived up to its billing, delivering a captivating display of end-to-end hockey.

Both teams started with intent, pressing high and creating chances from the opening whistle.

A new forward line-up of Bridget Tahourdin, Emily Desmond and Harriet Beadsley settled quickly into their formation and successfully cut out a number of Holcombe’s through balls.

The midfield battle was fierce, with neither side able to gain a clear foothold.

Sacha Mullins had a busy game keeping the Holcombe midfield at bay.

Despite missing a few key players, the Shots had a new found confidence from their recent run of good results and were in control of the first half for long periods.

Phoebe Bryant’s passes were finding their way through and Sophie Edwards and Sophia Fielding built some promising attacks down the right-hand side, but the game remained goalless at half-time.

A&F continued to push for a breakthrough after the break.

Grace Wilkinson went on a promising run, while Fiona Stewart created some attacks down the left-hand side.

A&F were rewarded for their persistence when a ball down the line found Tahourdin, who charged through the Holcombe defence into the D and slotted the ball away to put the Shots in front.

The goal seemed to galvanise Holcombe, who built a number of attacks as they pushed for an equaliser.

Excellent tackles from Louise Laws and Bryant stopped promising Holcombe attacks, while Shots keeper Taylor Goodrich smothered the visitors’ clear-cut chances.

The Shots managed to keep Holcombe at bay and held on for a well deserved win and a welcome three points.