Away win remains elusive

South Saxons Hockey Club’s men’s first team is still searching for its first away win of the season.
Goalmouth action from South Saxons Hockey Club's second team game against Horsham III on Saturday (SUS-141011-094249002)Goalmouth action from South Saxons Hockey Club's second team game against Horsham III on Saturday (SUS-141011-094249002)
Goalmouth action from South Saxons Hockey Club's second team game against Horsham III on Saturday (SUS-141011-094249002)

Saxons were unable to build on their 7-1 victory at home to Lewes the previous weekend as they were beaten 5-3 at St Francis on Saturday.

The visitors started the Sussex Open Hockey League Division One game well with some slick passing, but St Francis counter-attacked and took the lead inside 10 minutes.

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The game was halted shortly afterwards with players struggling to see the ball as the floodlights hadn’t been switched on. Once play resumed, St Francis took a two-goal lead after an aerial dropped into a crowd of players and the umpire ruled in the attacker’s favour.

Saxons showed great character throughout the game and got back into it shortly before half time through a well-worked short corner routine that found Toby Reed, who took the corner, in space to pass the ball into the goal.

In the second half Saxons switched to a 4-3-3 formation in a bid to shore up the defence, but when a St Francis shot hit the post and came back out, the umpire signalled for a goal!

The away side set about reducing the deficit again and did so when Reed found Jamie Busbridge in front of goal and his shot was blocked on the line by a defender’s foot. Alex Coombs stepped up confidently to convert the resulting penalty.

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Saxons conceded two further goals while pushing for some much-needed points and although Coombs found the net again before the end with a neat finish from a short corner, it made no difference to the result.

Paddy Cornish and Tudor Stainsby are unavailable for the visit of Hailsham this coming Saturday. Saxons are in eighth place having won two and lost four of their first six games.