M1 Drop To Third After Old Georgians Defeat
By Colin Pike
A depleted Surbiton Men squad lost 5-1 at home to Old Georgians at Sugden Road on Saturday night to drop to third, as Wimbledon beat East Grinstead 2-1 to move up to second in the Men's Hockey League Premier Division Top 6.
Surbiton were without James Gall, David Goodfield, Tim Nurse, Nick Park and Tom Sorsby, who were all on England duty in Argentina for the FIH Pro League doubleheader in Buenos Aires.
Old Georgians were missing James Albery, Sam Ward and Liam Sanford.
Surbiton brought in Matthew Hughson, Tom Fox, Ben Stevenson and Scott Evans
Surbiton made a bright start, Jamie Golden crossing the ball for Ben Boon to fire past the left post. Ben Park also had a shot on goal but Old Georgians only needed seven minutes to score their 50th league goal of the campaign, Dan Shingles finishing from open play.
Old Georgians doubled their lead in what proved to be an unlucky 13th minute, Henry Weir putting away a rebound after an Ore Ogunlana save.
And when former Surbiton player, James Tindall added a third two minutes before half time from the visitors' second penalty corner, Old Georgians were in control and on course to complete a league double over their Elmbridge rivals.
Gareth Furlong pulled a goal back for Surbiton in the 39th minute from the third of three successive penalty corners, but Old Georgians pulled away again thanks to a brace from Tom Carson, a 47th minute open play goal and a penalty corner conversion with the last play of the game in added on time.
But for a spectacular glove save from Ogunlana in the second half, Old Georgians could have scored again, but Hughson was also involved in a spectacular collision with visiting goalkeeper, George Pinner from which both players walked away after a brief stoppage.
Old Georgians now hold a five point lead over Wimbledon with Surbiton three points further back.
Next Saturday, Surbiton host Hampstead & Westminster and will be hoping to reverse a 2-1 home defeat in November when Hampstead won at Sugden Road for the first time.