M1 Beat Reading 9-0
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men beat Reading 9-0 at Sugden Road in the Men's Hockey League, but fell further behind leaders Old Georgians on goal difference as their Elmbridge rivals won 13-0 at East Grinstead.
Surbiton's game can be watched back via the Surbiton Hockey Club channel on You Tube here
The match starts at 13:47 in the video.
Old Georgians and Surbiton are locked together on 24 points but Old Georgians have a six better goal difference with two games remaining before Phase Two of the season.
Reading haven't won at Sugden Road since March 2012 and their task became more difficult when Struan Walker gave Surbiton a second minute lead with a shot from the left edge of the circle.
Six minutes later, Walker's drag-flick from a penalty corner doubled Surbiton's advantage. The thirteenth minute proved anything but unlucky for Surbiton as Louis Gittens' through ball allowed Ben Park to score from directly in front of Reading goalkeeper, Chris Wyver to put Surbiton firmly in control.
Surbiton's fourth goal came from a third successive penalty corner, Luke Taylor's drag-flick ending up in the top right corner in the 24th minute as Surbiton led 4-0 at half time.
Reading then survived until the end of the third quarter, Surbiton's disappointment at being awarded a penalty stroke after the ball ended up in the goal quickly compensated as Wyver was beaten by Taylor for a second time on the night.
Surbiton struck four times in an eventful fourth quarter, James Gall adding goal number six from short range in the 57th minute.
Walker went on to complete his hat-trick from a 65th minute penalty corner before scoring twice in the final minute to take his final tally to five goals against the Berkshire club.
Walker's fourth goal came from a scrambled effort as Reading failed to clear the ball and Wyver was committed, setting up a relatively easy tap-in before Reading lost possession from the restart and allowed Walker to get the final touch on the line to end a miserable night for the visitors.
James Mazarelo kept a fourth clean sheet in the last five matches, Henry Croft of Beeston the only opposing player to score over that timespan.
Sam Ward scored four goals in Old Georgians' win in West Sussex to take his overall season total to 21 goals, seven ahead of Walker on 14. Former Surbiton player Alan Forsyth also scored four goals against East Grinstead, all four coming in the second half. James Carson scored twice with Tom Carson and Ed Carson scoring once, Lee Morton also contributing in the demolition.
Third placed Holcombe also had a field day (or night) as they beat Beeston 10-0 in Kent. Tom Russell notched a hat-trick supported by Nick Bandurak and Phil Roper's braces. Alex Pendle, Rob Field and Sam Taylor were also on target.
And fourth-placed Wimbledon came away from the University of Nottingham with all three points after a 6-0 win. Sam Hooper and Euan Gilmour each scored twice with Callum Mackenzie and Ian Sloan scoring once.
Hampstead & Westminster cemented fifth place with a 4-0 home victory over Cardiff & Met. Sam Apoola, Tom Crowson, Josh Kelly and Sam French all netted to keep Hampstead hot on Wimbledon's heels.
Southgate beat Oxted 6-2 courtesy of Matt Ramshaw's hat-trick and a double by Jack Middleton. Karan Sofat scored just before half time with Rob Mugridge and Oliver Bennett replying for Oxted.
Surbiton host the University of Nottingham on 11 November, push back 6 pm.