NOW: Pensions Men's Hockey League results and reports, Feb 8
10th February 2014Beeston scraped a thrilling 5-4 win over rivals East Grinstead as they extended their lead at the top of the NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Saturday.
After Sam Ward and Luke Taylor had exchanged early goals, Richard Lawrence and Niall Stott both scored on 22 minutes to make it 2-2 half time scoreline.
Chris Proctor and Stuart Pilgrim bagged goals on 43 minutes as Beeston went 4-2 ahead, but East Grinstead weren’t about to admit defeat.
Adam Jordan scored a 52nd minute penalty stroke, and David Condon bagged another from open play a minute later to battle back to 4-4.
But Beeston edged back in front with Chris Proctor scoring on 54 minutes, and they held on through a nervous final 15 minutes to take the points.
East Grinstead dropped to third in the table after that defeat, with Reading moving above them following a 4-3 win at Cannock.
Cannock were 3-2 ahead at half time and an upset looked on the cards. David Beckett had scored twice for the hosts and Nick Bandurak had added another, while Richard Mantell had kept Reading in the game with two first half strikes.
And further goals from Tom Carson and Chris Newman ensured Reading avoided defeat and climbed up to second, four points behind Beeston.
In the day’s other Premier Division clash, Hampstead and Westminster v Sheffield Hallam, the game was delayed and eventually called off because of poor visibility at the pitch at Paddington Rec.
In the NOW: Pensions Conference North, leaders Brooklands Manchester University were held to a 1-1 draw by hosts university of Durham after a tense match.
Goalless until the final two minutes, Aiden Khares put Brooklands ahead from a penalty corner, only for Matt Murphy to equalise and save the day for the home side from a 70th minute penalty corner.
And in the NOW: Pensions Conference East, Old Loughtonians moved up to third in the table following a 5-1 win against Richmond.
NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League (Saturday, February 8 2014):
NOW: Pensions Premier Division: Beeston 5, East Grinstead 4; Cannock 3, Reading 4. Hampstead & Westminster v Sheffield Hallam postponed.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference East : Old Loughtonians 5, Richmond 1; Oxted 4, Bromley & Beckenham 2.
NOW: Pensions Men's Conference North: University of Durham 1, Brooklands MU 1.