It was the late, late show for Holcombe Women on Sunday afternoon as they came back from two goals down to salvage a draw against league leaders Surbiton 2s.

by Lucas Ball

A first-half brace from Surbiton’s Hannah Denison on Sunday had put the away side into a commanding lead but goals from Lottie Bingham and Phoebe Steele levelled the match and ensured that Holcombe ended their opponent’s 100% record.

Both teams had chances in the first quarter after a quiet first 10 minutes, Tilly Tillings teeing up Hannah Carney who forced Jemma Woods into a save with a hit, before Deanna Ritchie also deflecting an effort on target and seeing Woods deny her a second goal in as many matches and days. Ricthie had scored against Slough.

Tilly Woodhead was soon in action at the other end, making a comfortable save before Surbiton took the lead with around a minute left to play in the opening quarter. Denison doubled her tally from close range – loose marking giving her the chance to deflect home easily on the back post.

Ritchie forced Woods into another save minutes later as Holcombe looked to halve the deficit before Emma Bandurak saw another penalty corner effort denied.

The deficit was almost reduced less than five minutes into the third quarter when Bandurak came close from consecutive penalty corners but Woodhead was soon back in action to deny the visitors a third.

It wasn’t until the last 30 seconds of the period that Holcombe scored, Bingham deflecting in from Bandurak’s slap at another penalty corner, giving Holcombe and the vociferous terrace crowd renewed hope heading into the final 17-and-a-half minutes.

Woodhead was taken off with just over three minutes to play as head coach Nick Bandurak bravely switched to 11 outfield players, before a green card for brace-scorer Denison gave Holcs a two-player advantage outfield.

It was that advantage that allowed them to create overloads to win a penalty corner in the last two minutes, with Phoebe Steele’s drag-flick deflecting in off a defender’s foot as the New Zealander scored her ninth league goal of the season, reaching double figures in all competitions.

The hard-earned draw extends Holcombe’s unbeaten run to five matches in the league and gives Bandurak’s side a two-point advantage over Barnes in the promotion race.

With league leaders Surbiton 2s unable to be promoted, it is likely between Holcombe - currently in second - and Barnes to win promotion by finishing as runners-up.Surbiton 2s are 10 points clear at the top.

Holcombe’s lead over Barnes could have been even greater but they were held to a draw by fifth-placed Slough on the Saturday.

Ritchie gave Holcombe the lead four minutes before half-time but it took just four minutes after that break for the hosts to equalise through Laura Bailey.

Holcombe’s goal came after the ball fell to Bethan Hodges in the circle, her shot was deflected away but Ritchie was on hand to finish from close range for her 10th league goal of the season and 11th in all competitions.

Early on in the third period, Holcombe had a great opportunity to double their advantage. Emma Bandurak played a brilliant long ball into Ritchie, who found Marian Ledesma in the circle, the latter fouled as she tried to round the goalkeeper – penalty stroke given.

Bandurak stepped up but saw an effort well-saved by Asha Tranquille-Day.

Soon after, Slough’s equaliser came through Bailey. She worked space brilliantly at the edge of the circle with some great stick skills, before unleashing a powerful strike into the bottom corner past Woodhead to level the scores.

Anna Baker squandered a great chance to complete a quick-fire turnaround for the hosts, hitting an awkward effort off-target from just a few yards out.

Slough then earned another penalty corner with Woodhead superbly saving three times at the set-piece before a penalty stroke was awarded. Baker stepped up but Woodhead made another brilliant save, diving to her right and reaching up to stop the hosts from taking the lead.

Bandurak and Hattie Jones came close to restoring Holcombe’s lead from a penalty corner of their own but both were denied.

Holcombe face Harleston Magpies on Saturday (2pm) at Holcombe Park ahead of a home game for the Men’s 1s against Surbiton as they resume their Premier Division (6pm) campaign.