M1 Come From Behind To Win 3-2 At Wimbledon
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men had to come from behind to win 3-2 at Wimbledon on Saturday evening and continue their excellent run of results away to their South West London rivals.
The thrilling 5-5 draw last season at Raynes Park High School ended a run of three successive wins for Surbiton, but Wimbledon led twice in the latest encounter in their quest for their first home win over Surbiton since February 2016 when Wimbledon won 4-1.
After a goalless first quarter, the breakthrough finally came two minutes before half time when Ed Horler, Wimbledon's leading goalscorer lobbed James Mazarelo to net his eighth league goal of the season.
Former Surbiton goalkeeper, Taylor Seager-Green was finally beaten in the 43rd minute, Alex Williams equalising from open play for Surbiton.
Nine minutes later, Rhys Smith restored Wimbledon's lead again from open play as both players wearing the number 22 shirt scored for their teams.
With open play goals having previously dominated, it was penalty corners which were destined to decide the match in Surbiton's favour, Gareth Furlong enabling Surbiton to level for a second time in the 62nd minute, with Luke Taylor, Surbiton's leading goalscorer joining Horler on eight goals with two minutes to play to give Surbiton a dramatic victory.
The win put Surbiton top of the Men's Hockey League Premier Division table on Saturday night, a point ahead of Old Georgians, who are poised to return to the top on Sunday if they avoid defeat to Reading in a noon showdown on home turf at St. George's College.
In Saturday night's other match, Hampstead & Westminster won 6-0 at the University of Nottingham to close to within two points of third placed Wimbledon.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Oxted are at home to Holcombe; Beeston travel to the University of Exeter and East Grinstead make the long journey to Brooklands Manchester University.