Picture: Reminders of classic tussles between Reading and Cannock as Mani Kochar (in white) and Andrew Langlands meet in this afternoon's West Conference match between Guildford and Cannock.The Premier Division of the Men’s Slazenger England Hockey League looks like coming to an exciting climax, with the top four clubs only separated by two points courtesy of some very unexpected results this afternoon. Leaders Reading now only hold their position by a goal difference of a single goal after they went down 1-3 to Surbiton at home. The goals came late in both halves, with Surbiton’s Andy Cornick scoring just before the break. Rob Moore made it two with ten minutes of play remaining, with Cornick scoring his second two minutes later. Ian Mackay scored Reading’s only goal seconds later.
East Grinstead’s win over Hampstead & Westminster elevates them up one place to second in the table. The London side staged a late rally, with goals from Pim Van Groeningen and Simon Lanyon (2) but they could not catch East Grinstead’s five goal lead. Final score 5-3 in East Grinstead’s favour. Cannock took an early lead when they played host to Loughborough Students, courtesy of Gareth Andrew, but Richard Smith and Carl Smith overturned the lead with goals in each half. Final socre 1-2 to the Students.
Beeston have enjoyed a recent run of good form and their opponents today were lowly Southgate. Rick Gay’s penalty corner just before half time sent the two teams into the second half at one apiece but goals from Richard Stamp, Martin Jones and Jamie Parker gave Beeston the 4-1 final score. Havant recorded their second win of the season when they played Bowdon. Ahmed Ezz Mohamed opened the scoring for Havant with Stephen Brogdon replying for Bowdon. A second half goal by Alex Edmonstone gave Bowdon a brief lead, but late goals from Warren Gilmour and Tim Davenport ended the match at 3-2 to Havant.
SLAZENGER MEN’S ENGLAND HOCKEY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: 1. Reading 29 pts (+20), 2. East Grinstead 29 pts (+19), 3. Cannock 28 pts (+20), 4. Beeston 28 pts (+20), 5. Surbiton 25 pts (+12), 6. Loughborough Students 15 pts (-5), 7. Bowdon 14 pts (-12), 8. Hampstead & Westminster 10 pts (-16), 9. Havant 9 pts (-21), 10. Southgate 5 pts (-34).
TalkHockeyRadio was at the MENS EAST CONFERENCE match between Reading and Cannock this afternoon. Well, actually, it was the match between Guildford and Stourport, but with Simon Mason and Mani Kochar playing for Guildford and Andrew Langlands playing for Stourport, it took one’s mind back to some classic meetings between those two Premiership sides a few seasons back. It was goalkeeper Simon Mason who was responsible for the final score in this match. Without some superlative play from him Guildford would have been in serious trouble. Stourport had much the greater possession and some near suicidal passing in the 25 yard area meant that Mason’s goal was under pressure for much of the match. After Jonathan Haynes 14th minute goal for Guildford, his side hardly had a sniff of the net for the remainder of the match. The final score of 1-0 to Guildford did not do justice to Guildford’s poor performance although it certainly did justice to Mason’s.
Guildford’s win elevates them to third place in the table after two of the three teams ahead of them had disappointing afternoons. Table leaders, University of Exeter, could only pull of 1-1 draw when they went to Bath Buccanneers and the meeting between Old Georgians and Bournville ended 1-3 in Bournville’s favour.
MEN’S WEST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. University of Exeter 30 pts (+15), 2. Bournville 27 pts (+11), 3. Guildford 25 pts (+5), 4. Old Georgians 23 pts (+17).
Indian Gymkhana surrendered their lead at the top of the MEN’S EAST CONFERENCE when they visited Bromley and Beckenham. All the goal action was in the second half with a Phillip Froeschie hat-trick giving B&B a 3-2 victory. Oxted move into second place after a 2-0 win over Holcombe. Canterbury keep in the running by beating Chelmsford 4-3 away.
MEN’S EAST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Oxted 31 pts (+23), Indian Gymkhana 29 pts (+25), 3. Canterbury 29 pts (+15), Old Loughtonians 28 pts (+27).
The three top teams in the MEN’s NORTH CONFERENCE all drew today, with leaders Belper ending their match against University of Durham 5-5. Belper’s Nick Morris equalised within a minute of James Warburton scoring Durham’s fifth goal. Brooklands visited Barford Tigers and scored within the first three minutes with a David Seddon goal. Satinderpal Mann scored Tigers’ equaliser within a minute of the restart.
NORTH CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Belper 35 pts (+38), 2. Brooklands MU 34 pts (+36), 3. University of Durham 34 pts (+23).
Bowdon Hightown are the only Premiership side left in the WOMEN’S EH CUP after Clifton were beaten 3-4 in the quarter finals by University of Birmingham. Results:
Barnes Hounslow Ealing 4 Cambridge City 0
Epsom 0 Reading 4
Sutton Coldfield 3 Bowdon Hightown 6
University of Birmingham 4 Clifton 3.
