The top of Slazenger Division One remains very open despite the end of the season being only four weeks away. TalkHockeyRadio was at the top versus bottom match between leaders Southgate and bottom placed Guildford. We said this about Guildford last year but they do not look like a team occupying the relegation slot, although relegation this time around is not an issue due to the re-organisation of the EHL in 2008-2009. Indeed, Guildford had their fair share of chances, although neither goalkeeper was much troubled during the match. What made the teams stand apart was that Southgate took their chances when presented with them. Nick Gerrard opened the scoring for Southgate in the fifth minute. It took eleven minutes of the second half for Rick Gay to add a second, this from a penalty corner, and shortly after Dan Shingles made it three. But the game never turned into a route and Guildford defied their humble position in the table by restricting Southgate to just the three goals. Final score 3-0. Pictures of this match are currently available to view on our main web site (www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk). Southgate had hoped that luck might be with them today and that some of the chasing teams’ might stumble to enable them to draw away. In this respect they were disappointed. Old Loughtonians, trailing by a single point, were victorious at Belper, whilst Old Georgians beat Bournville 4-2, this despite having to defend a penalty stroke whilst their ‘keeper was in the sin-bin which, incidentally, was saved. Brooklands in fourth, only four points behind the leaders, beat Sheffield University Bankers 5-1, whilst Bath Buccaneers – only a point behind – beat Chelmsford 6-0. Top of Division One: 1. Southgate 35pts (+33), 2. Old Loughtonians 34pts (+28), 3. Old Georgians 33pts (+28), 4. Brooklands MU 31pts (+16), 5. Bath Buccaneers 30pts (+26).
In the Men’s Premier, The second and third sides met with the result that they swap places. Two goals by Dave De Prez and a goal by Danny Hall mean that they move up to second. Leaders Reading had played last night, beating Canterbury 2-0. On six points and only nine now available, Canterbury are relegated. Beeston, who were showing great promise earlier in the season, slipped up at Loughborough Students, losing 6-0. They slip down from fourth to fifth in the table. Hampstead and Westminster, who are occupying the play-off position, played the club ahead of them, Bowdon, and lost 4-2. There is a theoretical chance that Hampstead could escape but the chances look bleak for the Londoners. Depleted Surbiton’s woes increased as they went down 3-0 to Havant, although they do not face the danger of relegation.
