The newly promoted teams in the Men’s Premier Division got
off to a disappointing start on the first day of the 2013-2014 NOW Pensions Men’s
Hockey League.
Wimbledon must have thought otherwise when Ben Hawes opened
the scoring in their match against Beeston.
Although Sam Ward equalised early in the second half, it was not until
the last ten minutes that Beeston put the game beyond doubt, with a second from
Ward and a finisher from Stephen Lawrence, both from penalty corners. The final score at Wimbledon, 1-3.
TalkHockeyRadio was at Saint Hill where debutants Sheffield
Hallam were visiting East Grinstead. East
Grinstead’s unwillingness to give their Northern opponents any space probably
worked against them, and it took 22 minutes for Joe Naughalty to put the home
side into the lead. Although under the
cosh for much of the game, the Sheffield defence held firm, and more than once
Richard Potton in the EG goal stopped Sheffield scoring an equaliser. The Northerners’ defence finally gave way
under the pressure as the match approached the final whistle and they conceded two
penalty corners in the space of five minutes, both of which were converted. The scorers: Ashley Jackson and Glenn
Kirkham. Final score 3-0 to East
Grinstead. Overall, a good effort from
Sheffield Hallam, and we will be watching their progress with interest.
With five of the ten Premiership sides winning this
afternoon, it was goal difference that sorted the table, with Surbiton finishing
on top. Their 5-1 win at home to
Hampstead & Westminster puts them at the top of the table, and H&W at
the bottom. East Grinstead’s win leaves them in second place. Beeston, Loughborough Students and Reading
all share third place. The Students beat Cannock 3-1, and Reading beat
Canterbury by the same margin.
It was a good day for Beeston, with their newly promoted
women winning their first match in the Investec Women’s Premier Division. It was Sutton Coldfield who felt the wrath of
Wraith, as Hannah Wraith scored a hat-trick, as Beeston won the match 7-0. Beeston top the table on goal difference,
followed by Bowdon Hightown. Hightown
beat Olton & West Warwicks 5-2, with two goals apiece from Fay Nash and
Tina Cullen, and a goal from Natalie Wray.
Leicester occupy third place after beating Birmingham
University 1-3 away, and Canterbury are in fourth after beating Reading 1-2.
Clifton and Surbiton occupy joint fifth place after a 1-1 draw.
PICTURES FROM THE DOUBLE HEADER AT EAST GRINSTEAD (EG v
Sheffield Hallam [Men] and EG v Chelmsford [Wome]) WILL BE AT WWW.HOCKEYIMAGES.CO.UK TOMORROW
MORNING.
