Old Georgians Mount Comeback To Stun M1 4-3
By Colin Pike
Men's Hockey League Premier Division Phase Two champions Old Georgians had to battle from 3-1 down before coming out on top 4-3 against Surbiton Men in a thrilling local derby at Sugden Road on Sunday afternoon.
The game was a perfect fit for the celebration of Old Members Day and only the result will disappoint the guests and old friends of Surbiton Hockey Club as Old Georgians' run of successive wins was put under serious threat.
The match can be watched back via the Surbiton Hockey Club channel on You Tube here.
For the second day running the threat of rain didn't materialise, other than a few spots around twenty minutes into the game. Overcast skies meant that the floodlights needed to be switched on, but the entertainment on view was bright enough.
Old Georgians had clinched the first European place on Saturday at home to Oxted, but fell behind in the 13th minute after visiting goalkeeper George Pinner attempted to sweep the ball away, only for the ball to go straight to Surbiton's Jake Smith, who passed to Jake Payton to score. This was the fifth time this season that Surbiton had scored in the 13th minute and the second time that Payton had achieved the feat.
Old Georgians immediately responded, Phil Roper equalising with a shot from just inside the circle but in front of goal to end James Mazarelo's hopes of a clean sheet.
Surbiton's last two performances against Holcombe and at Wimbledon had been excellent and their second goal in the 21st minute was an exhibition of passing play at its best. Tim Nurse found Ollie Stone on the right, the ball finding its way to Smith via James Gall as Pinner was beaten for the second time in the match by Smith's powerful shot.
Old Georgians' one hundred per cent record looked to be jeopardy just 34 seconds into the third quarter after Max Anderson was deliberately fouled, leading to the award of a penalty stroke. Conor Williamson calmly slotted the ball to Pinner's left to leave Old Georgians trailing 3-1.
The visitors' comeback began in the 42nd minute when it was Old Georgians' turn to be awarded a penalty stroke after a shot from their second penalty corner was illegally blocked by Barry Middleton just inside the right post. Former Surbiton player, Alan Forsyth sent the ball into the bottom left corner to reduce Surbiton's lead to 3-2. Added to Esme Burge's penalty stroke being saved by Amber Walton in Surbiton W1's 1-1 draw with Hampstead & Westminster on Saturday night, three penalty strokes were awarded at Sugden Road within 24 hours.
Old Georgians' penalty corner routine also led to their second equaliser of the match, but this time as a direct result of the set-piece. Sam Ward found the backboard to make the score 3-3 in the 50th minute as the champions set their sights on grinding out another win.
The winning goal came in the 59th minute, James Albery firing home from the right of the circle to give Old Georgians their fifteenth win of the season and setting up the challenge of becoming the first top flight team in the MHL to go through the league season with maximum points.
Old Georgians lost to Surbiton in 2023-24 and their hopes of a one hundred per cent record in 2022-23 were thwarted when they drew at home to Hampstead & Westminster. Old Georgians visit Wimbledon next Saturday night.
Surbiton had the consolation of settling for second place after Wimbledon drew 2-2 at Holcombe. Holcombe led 2-0 through Teague Marcano and Robert Field before Sam Hooper and Duncan Scott salvaged a point.
Oxted won 3-2 at Hampstead & Westminster. Matt Guise-Brown scored both goals for Hampstead. Isaac Dale and an Oliver Bennett brace earned Oxted their first win in the Top Six.
In the Lower Six, there were only two matches as Cardiff & Met and Southgate met before the season resumed. East Grinstead lost the chance to catch Cardiff as they went down 1-0 at Beeston, Henry Croft leaving it late to keep up his run of scoring in all but one match this season, the winner coming with two minutes remaining.
Bowdon lifted themselves off the table with a 2-1 victory over Richmond. Scott Wall gave Richmond the lead, but former Surbiton player Brendan Creed and Maks Wyndham-Smith ensured that Bowdon won 2-1 for the second time this season, following their 2-1 win at Beeston back in November.
Surbiton visit Hampstead & Westminster next Saturday (29 March). As it's the final round of matches in Phase Two, all the matches will start at 1800.
Next season, Surbiton will meet Reading after the Berkshire club sealed promotion from Division One South with a 4-0 win at Team Bath Buccaneers. The Division One North title is between Loughborough Students and Brooklands Manchester University. Loughborough have a one point lead going into their final match at home to Durham University. Brooklands Manchester University host the University of Nottingham.