Harrow Ladies 8

Hampstead Westminster Ladies 0

There were hat tricks for Katie Hockley and Tasha Dyson as Harrow Ladies handed out an 8-0 drubbing to Hampstead & Westminster.

The visitors had come into the game unbeaten in the league but were swept aside by a tide of attacking hockey.

The only downside for Harrow was an injury sustained by striker Carys Thomas who learned after the game she had a broken bone in her thumb. This will keep her out for at least six weeks and cause her to miss important league games and Harrow English Hockey cup trip to Plymouth.

Harrow had the dream start being 2-0 up through Katie Hockley within seven minutes. First she deflected a Kerri Williamson free hit high into the net and then collected a through pass from Tasha Dyson to leave the keeper no chance.

Hampstead had no answer as their midfield was completely overrun and their back line chasing shadows. Harrow attacked from all quarters with Simone Burns and Natalie Hilliard overlapping down the flanks and Tasha Dyson being able to regularly push forward from midfield to make the extra striker.

Midway through the half a well worked short corner saw Williamson set up Carys Thomas who despite being heavily tackled added the third. Soon after another short corner saw Natalie Hilliard's goal bound strike illegally stopped on the line and Williamson converted from the resulting penalty stroke.

With a 4-0 half time lead and the game seemingly secure Harrow took the opportunity in the second half to raise their goal tally. Not in on the goal action so far it was Tasha Dyson who took centre stage with a second half hat trick as it became a matter of how many Harrow would score.

Every time Hampstead conceded a short corner they were in danger of conceding a goal such was the variation of the Harrow routines. Dyson made it 5-0 following a series of dummies, then tapped home from close range after a cross from Burns, and the dummied short corner again worked for her third. In between Katie Hockley deservedly completed her hat trick as Harrow eventually settled for 8-0. Such was the one sided nature of the game that Julie Fielder and the rest of the Harrow defence had one of their quieter afternoons.

This Saturday continue their league challenge away to Ashford Ladies and bring in Charlotte Pitteway for the injured Thomas, and Kim Stevens for the unavailable Helen Capp.