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Brighton sink to defeat at Richmond

Brighton sink to defeat at Richmond

Shaun Pimley20 Nov 2018 - 19:05
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Men's weekend review - Reid and Page score hattricks for rampant 3s, 6s among the goals

Brighton and Hove's winning start to the Men's Hockey League campaign is a fading memory after they went down 4-1 on Saturday to the Conference East's bottom club Richmond.

It is now five matches since Brighton last tasted victory and they had only a Joe Naughalty penalty corner to show for their efforts in south-west London as Richmond recorded their first win of the season. Brighton were stung by early goals from Karan Sofat and the league's joint leading scorer Jordan Hussell before Naughalty netted his eighth of the season. But Hussell struck again just before half-time - his tenth goal this term - and Nathan Palmer wrapped things up with 11 minutes to go.

Brighton finish the first half of the season with a tricky trip to champions and high flying Oxted on Sunday (12.45) and sitting fifth in the table. The top six clubs in the league will beat the cut as the MHL is restructured next year. Oxted beat old Loughtonians 4-1 on Saturday while, for once, leaders Old Georgians were not the round's top scorers, even though they put six past Canterbury to remain four points clear at the top and with Ashley Jackson scoring from two set pieces. The day's honours went to fast improving Southgate, who walloped City of Peterborough 8-1.

Brighton's 2s continue to struggle in Kent/Sussex division one, only managing a 1-1 at home to Burnt Ash, while Dan Reid and Chris Page both scored hattricks in a 6-2 trouncing of Crowborough 1s as the 3s moved up to third in the league

"The 3s made the long trip up to Crowborough with a strong squad of 15.5 (the .5 being Roel who was sporting just the one hamstring!),"reports skipper Andrew Bromley. "Phil Orriss was a late call up to the 2s; however we were very grateful to receive new member Wes in return! Again, Brighton dominated possession and territory, moving the ball into the ample space available.

"Despite numerous early opportunities, it took 20 minutes to open the scoring. Former Crow Dan Reid with the first, swiftly followed by another open play Chris Page goal. Half time came with Brighton looking to continue playing well and add to the tally - we did not disappoint. The final score of 6-2 contained hattricks for Reid and Page, with Page now second top scorer in the league. Not bad for the stand-in skipper whilst Ed Bending is away!

"Despite a couple of cards and a postcode mix up, it was a flawless performance. However, Brighton will face much tougher opposition in Eastbourne 2s next, as they are pushing Crawley 1s at the top of Sussex div 1.

The 4s remain hot on the heels of the 3s after a 2-1 win over Worthing 3s, with goals from Gaz Lendrum and Russ Perkins and a MoM performance from Gray Pruce.

"Another well deserved three points against a decent Worthing outfit," said captain Carlo Missirian. "A great team goal finished wonderfully by Gaz saw us take an early lead, creating a huge amount of short corners and chances but failing to score always left us vulnerable to a sucker punch. Unfortunately, when giving the ball away cheaply towards the end of the first half, Worthing capitalised and equalised very much against the run of play. Gutting for us all after so many chances scorned.

"After regrouping after half time we again had several chances and shorts in the first five minutes of the second half. As the half progressed it increasingly looked like a draw was on the cards but with about 10 minutes to go another short corner chance and Doc fired one far post for Russ to guide in. We absorbed some pressure from Worthing and play temporarily was halted after Kev’s attempted aerial that looked to be heading way into the opponents' half until it stayed wedged in his stick, flew over his head and nearly knocked Dickie B out. Play was halted through laughter on both sides.

"Kev '360 degree aerial' Browne has become strong favourite for dick of the season with this gravity-defying feat of anti-skill."

Carlo says many of the 4s players will be resting on Saturday to prepare for the big National Veterans Cup tie at Epsom on Sunday November 25 (1.45pm) and the club wishes them luck in their attempt to progress in this tier one competition. Brighton had a bye in the first round and will find Epsom strong opposition after the London Vets League side beat East Grinstead 6-0.

While the 5s lost 3-2 to Lewes 3s, the 6s - after a drought of wins, or draws for that matter - wondered if Saturday's home game against Mid-Sussex would be the game which would see a flood of goals, reports Kevin Mould (spoiler alert - too right!)

"Under the searing winter sun (all 10 degrees of it), the 6s faced off against Mid-Sussex. The great hockey flowed from the home team and it didn't take long to notch up the first goal after some amazing team play. The Brighton defence thought they had battened down the hatches but a Mid-Sussex shot found its way through so was cleared off the line with a foot - flick. Pete Stevens steadied the ship with an acrobatic fall into the path of the shot, denying the visitors an even keel just before the half time whistle.

"Someone cracked open the floodgates in the second half and wave after wave of attacks from Brighton saw Rev Taites and Si Corrie also on the scoreboard with some well taken goals. Mid-Sussex patience had all but evaporated leaving them with bad stick tackles across the park and dropped shoulders into Brighton midriffs. This, however, did not dampen Brighton spirits but lift them even higher.

"The ball meandered into the D once again, which was sent into the back of the goal for the fourth. High tide? Not yet ... a fifth goal which was the result of link up play from all areas of the pitch was slotted home from the tightest of angles by Rev Taites. Five goals for Brighton and a clean sheet to show for it as well."

The 7s won 4-1 away to Crowborough 3s but the 8s went down by a single goal to Eastbourne. "A pc converted in the second minute put us on the back foot," reports Matt Sale. "We regrouped and the effort couldn't be faulted but we lacked the killer touch in the D. Their keeper pulled off a couple of decent saves from Dreads as we searched for an equaliser which didn't come. A team curry night however meant the game was soon forgotten about."

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