M1 To Meet Old Georgians In Final of Premier Division Finals
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men will meet Old Georgians in the final of the Athleteq.App Premier Division Finals for the second year running after coming from behind to beat Wimbledon 6-2 in the second semi-final at Nottingham Hockey Centre on Saturday.
Old Georgians beat Oxted 4-0 in the first semi-final to stay on course for their fourth successive league championship and will be aiming to repeat their 3-1 final success from 2024 when they meet Surbiton at 1530 on Sunday.
As Old Georgians finished top of the Top Six stage, Surbiton will be England's first ranked team and if Old Georgians retain their title, Surbiton will be England's second ranked team for the 2025-26 season.
Surbiton met Wimbledon for the fourth time this season, after winning 3-2 in the Euro Hockey League KO8 at Sugden Road, and a 2-2 league draw at Sugden Road followed by a 5-1 win at Raynes Park High School.
Surbiton had never been behind to Wimbledon in any of those three games, but Wimbledon led for the first time when Ben Fox converted their first penalty corner in the ninth minute.
The lead lasted just four minutes as Surbiton scored in the 13th minute for the seventh time this season, Gareth Furlong, who had scored a hat-trick in the 5-1 away win at Wimbledon, renewing his goalscoring form against their local rivals from Surbiton's third penalty corner.
Struan Walker had forced a fine save from former Surbiton goalkeeper, Ore Ogunlana after just 28 seconds, but had to wait until just before the end of the second quarter to finally open his account. Surbiton forced four successive penalty corners due to Furlong's shots being blocked but Walker gave Surbiton the lead for the first time in the match from his side's seventh penalty corner in the 30th minute.
Walker and Furlong stunned the Wimbledon defence with two quick goals in the third quarter, Walker scoring form open play in the 39th minute and Furlong converting Surbiton's eighth penalty corner a minute later to leave Wimbledon wondering how they were suddenly trailing 4-1.
Wimbledon were equally adept at forcing penalty corners but thanks to James Mazarelo saves, they had to wait until the 47th minute to convert a second award, Euan Gilmour giving Wimbledon hope of mounting a comeback and perhaps earning a shootout opportunity.
Those hopes were effectively killed off by another lightning double strike, Walker completing his hat-trick in the 48th minute and James Gall scoring what turned out to be the final goal a minute later to complete another four goal margin win, the 6-2 win following on from the 5-1 away victory.
In the first semi-final, Old Georgians were heavy favourites after winning 9-2 at Caterham School at 6-2 at St. George's College in the league and as with Surbiton, Old Georgians beat their fellow Surrey club by a four goal margin for the second time in succession, the 4-0 win earning George Pinner his fourth clean sheet of the campaign.
Phil Roper opened the scoring from open play in the seventh minute, but Oxted tried to get back in the match three minutes later after forcing two successive penalty corners which were to no avail.
Old Georgians led 3-0 at half time after Alan Forsyth slotted a penalty stroke to Oxted goalkeeper, Max Christopher's right in the 23rd minute and Kyle Marshall found the backboard in the 30th minute.
The only goal of the second half came in the 42nd minute through Chris Proctor's open play goal and Christopher made a stick save to deny the reigning champions a fifth goal from their fourth penalty corner with six minutes remaining.
Old Georgians have won both meetings with Surbiton this season, 3-0 at home and 4-3 at Sugden Road, but Surbiton led 3-1 in the second match before Old Georgians mounted their comeback and the final has every prospect of being equally as exciting.
More information about the Men's Premier Division Finals can be found at the England Hockey Altius website here.
Both the Men's and Women's Premier Division Finals matches on Saturday can be watched back via the England Hockey channel on You Tube here.