There were matches in both the men's England Hockey League and the Investec Women's Cup yesterday. But the result that caught our eye was Beeston's 13-0 annihilation of Norwich City in the Cup. It was not the biggest score of yesterday's Round 2 matches – that accolade goes to Sevenoaks, who put 18 past Fareham for no reply – but it follows closely on the heals of Beeston's 12-0 win over Liverpool Sefton in Saturday's North conference match. Beeston's Sophie Robinson scored six times yesterday and three times on Saturday. We don't suppose it is a record, but it's certainly some achievement.
In addition to Beeston and Sevenoaks, Bristol Firebrands, Buckingham, Cannock, Liverpool Sefton, Clifton, Harrogate, Chelmsford, Sutton Coldfield, Bowdon Hightown, Brooklands Poynton and Bedford Town, all won their matches and progress to Round 3. Teddington, University of Birmingham and Wimbledon, had walkovers and also progress to Round 3.
In the Premier Division of the England Hockey League, Beeston continue their onward march at the top with a 7-2 win over Surbiton. Beeston have a game in hand as a result of last weekend's EuroHockey League matches, and they currently match Canterbury on 15 points, separated only be goal difference. Canterbury had a 6-1 win over Hampstead & Westminster in what was a high scoring day all round.
There were nine goals at both East Grinstead and Cannock. East Grinstead were sunk by two late goals by Loughborough Student's Andy Bull and Maxime Cerulus, and a the third goal of a hat-trick from Glenn Kirkham, scored in the dying seconds, could not save 'Grinstead from a 4-5 defeat. The other nine-goal match was at Cannock, where visitors Southgate were 5-2 behind until the last five minutes. Playing catch-up, two late goals were not enough to secure any points and Cannock emerged as 5-4 winners.
The remaining Premier Division match saw Reading go down 3-2 at Brooklands MU.
Yesterday's results see Cannock race up the table to third place, behind Beeston and Canterbury. Reading and East Grinstead both drop one place to fourth and fifth respectively. Surbiton drop two places in the bottom slot, as do Southgate into ninth.
FULL RESULTS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR MAIN WEB SITE AT www.TalkHockeyRadio.co.uk. PICTURES FROM YESTERDAY'S WEST CONFERENCE MATCH BETWEEN GUILDFORD AND UNIVERSITY OF EXETER CAN BE FOUND ON OUR SISTER SITE AT www.HockeyImages.co.uk.
