M1 Win 5-1 at Wimbledon to Virtually Clinch Second Place
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men have all but clinched second place in the Men's Hockey League Premier Division Top Six after a convincing 5-1 win at Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon.
Old Georgians ensured that they would finish top of the table at the end of Phase Two with two games to spare, beating Oxted 6-2 at home to lead Surbiton by seven points with just two matches remaining.
If Surbiton lost at home to Old Georgians on Sunday and at Hampstead & Westminster next Saturday, and Wimbledon win at Holcombe and at home to Old Georgians, both Surbiton and Wimbledon would finish on 35 points, however Wimbledon would have to overcome a 24 inferior goal difference across the two games to finish second.
Holcombe can finish no higher than third after losing 3-2 at home to Hampstead & Westminster.
The weather forecast at Raynes Park High School had threatened rain and lightning, but ultimately, the only dampness in evidence was from the water cannons at the venue.
Jake Payton was an early threat with a penetrating run towards the Wimbledon defence and James Gall shot over the crossbar as Surbiton tried to take the initiative.
Nick Park had a goal disallowed on the quarter hour, but any disappointment was quickly dispelled as Gareth Furlong converted Surbiton's first penalty corner of the match a minute later to put the visitors ahead.
In the second quarter, Surbiton continued to threat with Wimbledon's Lewis Wilcher forced to bring down an aerial and battle his way out of defence.
Surbiton came close to doubling their lead in the 27th minute from their third penalty corner, but Wimbledon's Sam Hooper cleared the ball off the line.
Furlong struck again from Surbiton's fourth penalty corner in the 31st minute, but a defensive error a minute later allowed Wimbledon to half the deficit, Duncan Scott finding the backboard past James Mazarelo.
Former Surbiton goalkeeper, Ore Ogunlana made some important saves against his old club, including saving Stuart Rushmere's shot five minutes into the third quarter.
But two minutes later, having made another excellent save, Ogunlana couldn't stop Tim Nurse extending Surbiton's lead from the rebound to leave Wimbledon trailing 3-1.
Payton scored Surbiton's fourth goal from the left of the circle with eight minutes remaining, a superb strike rebounding off the backboard.
As time expired, Surbiton were awarded a seventh and final penalty corner and Furlong took full advantage to complete his hat-trick at the end of another excellent performance, following on from the standards set in the previous week's 4-0 home victory over Holcombe.
Sam Ward scored twice after Chris Proctor, Ian Sloan, James Carson and Alan Forsyth had all found the net in Old Georgians' 6-2 home win over Oxted. Owen Williamson and Michael Royden-Turner scored for Oxted in successive minutes.
Matt Richards earned Hampstead & Westminster their 3-2 win at Holcombe, scoring the winning goal in the 64th minute. Teague Marcano had given Holcombe the lead before Hampstead fought back to lead 2-1 through Jolyon Morgan and Nicholas Steffens. Mubashar Ali made the score 2-2 from the penalty spot, but Richards ensured that the three points went back to London.
In the Lower Six, Beeston are joint top with Cardiff & Met on 19 points, although East Grinstead can go second if they win at Beeston on Sunday. Charles Hamilton scored in the first minute for Southgate against Beeston, but Henry Croft and Oliver Dunn earned a 2-1 lead for the Nottingham club at half time. Sean Davis levelled for Southgate, but George Fletcher gave Beeston a 3-2 win with a goal five minutes from the end.
Bowdon were denied a 2-1 win at East Grinstead by a last minute equaliser from Simon Faulkner. Cole Pidcock opened the scoring for Beeston before Faulkner levelled for the first time in the third quarter. Bowdon's leading goalscorer, Carlos Doladlo-Hollyman restored the Altrincham club's lead, before Faulkner broke Bowdon hearts from a penalty corner.
Cardiff & Met won 2-1 at Richmond. Ioan Wall and Hari Bhogal scored for Cardiff with Hamish Imrie replying for Richmond. Cardiff & Met and Southgate do not play on Sunday as they rearranged their match for the week before the Premier Division officially resumed after the mid-season break.
Surbiton take on Old Georgians on Sunday at Sugden Road (push back 1600). Surbiton were the last team to beat Old Georgians in the Premier Division in September 2023 before their Elmbridge rivals mounted their current run of successive wins.
Old Georgians won the first meeting 3-0 at home in November.
Supporters unable to attend Sugden Road on Sunday can watch the match via the Surbiton Hockey Club channel on You Tube here.