M1 Held To Dramatic Draw By Wimbledon
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Wimbledon on Thursday night, a result which sees Surbiton four points behind leaders Old Georgians with three games remaining before the mid-season break.
Wimbledon are within a point of confirming their place in the top six after coming from behind twice at Sugden Road under the Thursday night lights, the second equaliser coming in the penultimate minute of the Men's Hockey League Premier Division match.
Surbiton also had a goal by Rob Farrington ruled out early in the third quarter to add to the home team's frustration.
The game can be watched back via the Surbiton Hockey Club channel on You Tube here
The match had been rearranged due to both teams' participation in the Euro Hockey League in October and after some early Wimbledon possession, it was Surbiton who took the lead in the second minute, Adam Buckle passing to Jake Payton who scored from short range.
Former Surbiton player and current Wimbledon goalkeeper, Ore Ogunlana made an early impact saving from Surbiton's first penalty corner in the fifth minute before making a double save from the hosts' second award in the 19th minute.
James Mazarelo had also made a vital glove save early on to deny Wimbledon an early lead, but in a match in which both teams had attacking intent, defences were equally competent in an entertaining first half.
Farrington has had a tendency to score early in the third quarter in previous matches and after a run towards goal in the 39th minute, the ball was dispatched into the top left corner, only to be ruled out after an umpire consultation following the Wimbledon players protesting that a free hit hadn't been awarded.
Wimbledon equalised in the 52nd minute, just before the end of the third quarter, another former Surbiton player, Liam Ansell crossing from the right for Ben Francis to finish to the delight of the visiting supporters.
Surbiton's lead was restored from their fourth penalty corner in the 61st minute, Luke Taylor's drag-flick ending up in the top right corner to leave Wimbledon trailing 2-1.
Farrington was shown a yellow card with five minutes remaining and Wimbledon took Ogunlana off in order to field eleven outfield players against Surbiton's ten men. The tactic paid off in the 69th minute when following Mazarelo's heroics in making a double save, Connor Greentree fired the ball into the goal from the far left of the circle to earn what could prove to be a vital point for Wimbledon as they move above Hampstead & Westminster into fourth place.
Surbiton head to Bowdon on Saturday for the second match in a Bowdon v Surbiton doubleheader at 1830 following the W1 match at 1630.