Today proved what a volatile place the top of the men’s Premier Division of the Slazenger League can be. Beeston, who moved into third place yesterday when they won their re-arranged match against Bowdon, found themselves playing the leaders, Cannock. A 0-0 draw must be considered a good result when seen against Cannock’s form this season, but it pushes Beeston back into fourth place. Reading keep their second place but close on Cannock and are only separated by goal difference. This was as a result of their 6-2 win over Loughborough Students, who now seem deep in the trouble zone with only three points from seven games. Fellow strugglers, Southgate, move off the bottom after a 3-2 win over Hampstead and Westminster, their place being taken by Havant, who went down 3-2 to East Grinstead. Surbiton won only their second match of the season by beating Bowdon at home.SLAZENGER MEN’S ENGLAND HOCKEY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: 1. Cannock 17 pts (+16), 2. Reading 17 pts (+13), 3. East Grinstead 15 pts (+8), 4. Beeston 14 pts (+13), 5. Surbiton 10 pts (+1), 6. Bowdon 9 pts (-7), 7. Hampstead & Westminster 7 pts (-4), 8. Southgate 4 pts (-14), 9. Loughborough Students 3 pts (-10), 10. Havant 1 pt (-16).
TalkHockeyRadio went out this afternoon looking for goals and we found them aplenty in the West Conference match between Old Georgians and Firebrands. The tale of St George and a fire breathing dragon were not entirely lost on us and this more modern day meeting had very much the same ending. The two clubs have the distinction of being two away from either end of the table and the difference in their ranking resulted in a match that turned into a slaughter of the innocents. OGs always looked a little bit quicker, a little bit more skilful, and a little bit more inventive. After a flurry of early goals scored by Gareth Carr (two from corners) and Nicky Thompson, Firebrands made a comeback of sorts after Ben Trembath found the net s, leaving the score at 3-1 as the sides went into the break. Although it was not entirely one-way traffic, the old boys piled on the pressure in the second half, with Gareth Carr scoring from two more corners, and Patrick Kelly and David Tyler adding to the tally. The final score; a staggering 9-2, with Firebrands second goal coming from Chris Rich. What was an otherwise entertaining match was spoilt by levels of dissent which we have not witnessed in an EHL match for some time and resulted in a number of deserved yellow cards. Shame.
Our photograph shows player-coach Nicky Thompson scoring his side's third goal. Further images from this match will appear on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk soon.
OG’s win leaves them in second place behind University of Exeter, who beat Cardiff 2-0. There is now a four point gap between OGs and Bournville, who drew 2-2 today against Bath Buccaneers.
In the other Conferences, Canterbury keep up their bid for promotion from the East with a 7-0 win over Ipswich, goals coming from Lloyd Norris-Jones (3), Michael Farrer (2) and Jess Dowsing. There are now three sides on 13 points chasing Canterbury, Old Loughtonians, Indian Gymkhana and and Sevenoaks. Of the three, only Sevenoaks failed to record three points, going down to a single goal by Yasser Khan at Holcombe. In the North Conference, Belper were able to outdo Old Georgians, scoring 11 times in their 11-2 win over Sheffield University Bankers. Belper are now at the top of the division separated on goal difference from University of Durham, who beat the other Sheffield side, Sheffield Hallam , 5-4 this afternoon. Brooklands, who were top of the table this morning, could only draw against lowly Telford and Wrekin, and slip to third place.
THE WOMEN’S CUP FOURTH ROUND took on a slightly surreal look, as only two Premiership sides survive into the last eight. Clifton progress as a result of a walkover against St Neots, the latter having not touched a ball to get to this stage, themselves having had the benefit of walkovers. Two goals by University of Birmingham’s Liz George knocked out the Cup holders, Leicester, and Reading eliminated Trojans 3-1 with goals from Vicky Bryant, Marianne Downer and Gemma Wooven. The only other remaining Premiership side is Bowdon Hightown, who knocked out fellow Premier Division Olton & West Warwicks with a 4-0 win.
ROUND FOUR RESULTS:
Cambridge City 3 Old Loughtonians 0
Clifton v St Neots w/o to Clifton
Dereham 2 Barnes 5
Holcombe 0 Epsom 2
Leicester 1 University of Birmingham 2
Olton 0 Bowdon 4
Reading 3 Trojans 1
Sutton Coldfield 4 Horsham
