Saxons held by basement boys

Saxons came from behind to lead against basement boys Canterbury III in South Hockey League Kent/Sussex - Regional 2, but were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.

The hosts probably had the best chance during the first third of the match when Rob Whitehouse was denied by the away goalkeeper after latching onto a Paddy Cornish pass.

Canterbury opened the scoring from one of several short corners, but Saxons levelled five minutes later. Alex Coombs burst into the D following a free hit and his reverse stick drive was glanced home by James Bunday for his first goal for the front side.

The visitors earned a couple more short corners during the remainder of the first half and forced a good save out of Saxons goalkeeper Stew Feakes - who was man of the match on his first front side appearance of the season - with a lofted strike.

After the break, Saxons would have found themselves behind but for the tremendous performance from Feakes in goal. They took the lead against the run of play, however, through Jamie Busbridge, who fired home following a short corner.

Canterbury, though, continued to press and equalised from a short corner of their own, but were reduced to 10 men through injury in the closing stages. Saxons went close through Cornish and Busbridge, but were forced to settle for a point.

Saxons: Feakes, Cload, Reed, Ford, Buss, Burnett, Cornish, Coombs, Stainsby, Busbridge, Whitehouse. Sub: Bunday.

Standings (played-points): 1 Blackheath & OE 9-22, 2 Brighton & Hove II 9-19, 3 King’s & Alleyn’s 8-17, 4 Lewes II 9-16, 5 Crawley 8-16, 6 Sevenoaks II 9-10, 7 Mid-Sussex 8-10, 8 Sutton Valence II 8-9, 9 SOUTH SAXONS 8-6, 10 Cliftonville 7-6, 11 Canterbury III 9-1.

See tomorrow’s Hastings Observer for reaction and more pictures.