Saxons celebrate first away win

Harry Reece was South Saxons' man of the match and was among the scorers in the 4-0 win away to Lewes III on Saturday

One goal in the first half and three more after the break were enough to see off bottom-of-the-table Lewes III 4-0 in Sussex Open Hockey League Division One.

Fifth-placed Saxons had taken seven points from a possible nine against the top three teams in their previous three outings and they continued their post-Christmas unbeaten record on Saturday.

Chances were created through Alex Coombs and Andrew Orr, who used the width well, and Saxons opened the scoring via Jamie Busbridge.

Lewes were well-drilled, however, and resisted further attacks from Saxons. In fact, the hosts began to prove more of a threat towards the end of the first half and Saxons goalkeeper Mike Sutton pulled off a few outstanding saves.

Saxons started the second half brightly and the in-form Busbridge was soon able to double the advantage.

A great individual goal by man of the match Harry Reece and a further strike from Coombs ensured Saxons ran out comfortable winners. The visitors’ solid defence kept Lewes at bay to keep a second consecutive clean sheet.

Saxons: Sutton, C. Meredith, Ford, Reed, Riley, Cload, Cornish, J. Meredith, Coombs, Orr, Reece, Busbridge.

Tudor Stainsby (skiing) and Sam Bunday (shoulder injury) remain unavailable for the home game against St Francis this coming Saturday. Paddy Cornish is also out so Saxons are likely to go with a squad of just 11.

Standings (played-points): 1 Crowborough 14-34, 2 Eastbourne II 16-32, 3 Penguin 15-30, 4 Southwick 15-25, 5 SOUTH SAXONS 16-24, 6 Hailsham 15-23, 7 Brighton & Hove III 14-19, 8 East Grinstead III 15-19, 9 Crawley II 16-16, 10 St Francis 15-14, 11 Middleton 15-13, 12 Lewes III 16-10.