East Grinstead will be back in the Men's European Indoor Club Championships next year after an absence of one season. We knew that this morning after yesterday's promotion pool match guaranteed them at least a runners-up spot. But today they went on to claim the Trophy by winning a closely fought match against the hosts, AHTC Wien.
They have much to thank their Czech international goalkeeper, Filip Neusser. who pulled off a series of world class saves early in the match to keep EG in the game. They may also need to thank the unengaged umpire for spotting a lifted ball just before a shot from the Austrians hit the back of their net. The goal was disallowed after the umpires had conferred.
Both East Grinstead goals came from Niall Stott in the first half, but there was a tense four minutes at the end of the match after Bernhard Schmidt pulled one back for AHTC. 'Grinstead seem to like to entertain, and they certainly did so with a nail biting few seconds before the final hooter. Final score 2-1 to East Grinstead.
Whilst the English team's performance has been less than perfect on occasions, they emerged as clearly the best team here, with five wins out of five matches. If they can hang on to their guest players, Richard Smith and Filip Neusser, they have the potential to go far.
Back home there were a couple of matches in the Investec Women's League. The top of the table clash between Leicester and Canterbury ended as a stalemate at 1-1.
In the Men's Hockey League there was not a full fixture list due to East Grinstead's absence in Vienna. Beeston have a clear lead the Premier Division, but there is a real tussle taking place below them, with five clubs only separated by three points, Canterbury, Cannock, Surbiton, Reading and Loughborough Students. Canterbury were beaten at home 2-3 by an increasing confident Surbiton, whilst Reading came away from their match at Southgate with three points after their 2-3 win. Loughborough Students lost 5-3 to Cannock.
FULL DETAILS OF THE MATCHES IN VIENNA CAN BE FOUND BY FOLLOWING THE LINK ON OUR HOME PAGE.
IMAGES FROM VIENNA ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR SISTER SITE AT WWW.HOCKEYIMAGES.CO.UK.
