TWO-UP, FAREHAM ARE HELD

Fareham Ladies let slip a 2-0 lead in the closing eight minutes and had to be content with a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw against South Women’s League rivals Teddington.
They appeared set to add to their opening 4-0 win over Lewes when goals either side of half-time by Vicky Field and Laura Farrell gave them a 2-0 lead – but the Middlesex side staged a late comeback to salvage a draw with a last gasp equaliser, writes Mike Vimpany.
“It was disappointing to throw away a two-goal lead,” reflected Fareham coach Steve Lemon.
“But, in all honesty, we should have been out of sight by half-time.
“It’s obviously going to take a while for our new and previous players to gel, but we are creating plenty of goal-scoring opportunities, so its all very positive.”
Fareham went close three times before Field rounded Evelyn Wood in the Teddington goal to give the visitors a deserved half-time advantage.
Fareham doubled their advantage midway through the second period when Farrell deflected home a Hannah Nicholls cross, but eight minutes from time Teddington launched their fight-back through Sara Walker.
With the umpires checking their watches, Teddington won possession in centre-field, drove into the D and Cath Cherrington tapped in a simple equaliser.
Fareham’s disappointment at conceding the lead will have been cushioned as none of the 12 Division 3B teams has emerged from the opening two weeks of the season with a 100 per cent record intact.