Harris treble in vain as Olton strike on stroke of half-time to wrest initiative

Dave Harris converts one of his two penalty strokes on his way to a hat-trick against Olton & West Warwickshire.
MHLC-12-10-13 Khalsa hockey Oct46 — Dave Harris converts one of his two penalty strokes on his way to a hat-trick against Olton & West Warwickshire. MHLC-12-10-13 Khalsa hockey Oct46

Missing several key players, Khalsa were on top in the opening stages and took the lead when a Gurminder Ghattaura run was ended illegally, allowing Dave Harris to convert the penalty stroke.

Olton replied with the faintest of touches in the D from Martin Webb deflecting the ball past Elliot Rider.

However, in a frantic spell, Khalsa were awarded a second penalty stroke after Amritpal Atwal was impeded in the circle, Harris again converting.

Jack Wells was dominating the midfield for the home side, whose pace on the flanks was causing Olton problems on the counter.

However, Olton fashioned a penalty-corner equaliser courtesy of Andy Brookes on the stroke of half-time to give them momentum heading into the second period.

Suitably reinvigorated, Ed James squeezed in a shot to give Olton the lead for the first time in the 46th minute.

Khalsa prematurely set about chasing the game and were left exposed when Edwin Waters scored a fourth for visitors.

Harris brought it back to 4-3 when flicking a short corner high into the net and Khalsa remained on the front foot, playing an open brand of hockey.

A well-worked short corner, converted by Alex Czerniewski, re-established Olton’s two-goal cushion with just five minutes left to play.

All was not lost for the hosts as Sav Lall’s trickery in the circle rewarded Khalsa with a short corner converted by Aaron Nagra to close the score to 5-4 with three minutes left.

There was to be no further scoring, though, as Olton professionally saw out the remaining time, keeping hold of possession to condemn Khalsa to their third defeat of the season.