So close and yet so far for Grange in Terrassa

Grange 1 Hampstead & Westminster (ENGLAND) 2

 

A brilliant finish by 21-year-old Fraser Heigh and some equally brilliant saves from keeper David Forrester looked to have secured Grange their first ever EuroHockey League win, but then luck deserted the Scots as English side Hampstead & Westminster levelled and then scored the winner with only two seconds left. That was cruelty itself, after such a spirited display by Grange – they deserved better.

Now Grange will face Austrian side Post SV for the seventh place play-off on Monday morning, they went down 5-2 to Ireland`s Three Rock Rovers today.

The first quarter was an even affair with no chances to either side.

Early in the second quarter Grange took the lead with the first real attack of the game, and that took the much fancied English by surprise. A long ball found Fraser Heigh, the Grange youngster advanced into the circle and cleverly flicked the ball high into the Hampstead net for the opener.

The goal gave Grange confidence, they pressurised the English at times but at the other end defended well. Hampstead were awarded a penalty corner with eight second left of the first half but Forrester saved their set piece effort.

Peter Haughey had a good drive into the English circle early in the second half but failed to control the ball.

Hampstead began to step up the pace and Forrester was forced to block three further penalty corners to retain the slender lead.

After another set piece save by Forrester, who certainly deserved a player-of-the-match award, Hampstead replaced their keeper with an additional outfield player to attempt to rescue the game. The gamble succeeded as Grange were pushed back into defence, with five minutes left the English were awarded their sixth penalty corner and this time Matt Guise-Brown converted for the equaliser.

With the game heading for a shoot-out at 1-1, Hampstead launched a final last ditch attack and with the last hit of the game Matthew Ramshaw scored the winner from close range with two seconds left.

 

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