Saxons come from behind to maintain winning run

Two Ed Hooton goals and one from Jamie Busbridge, plus a Mike Sutton penalty save, enabled Saxons to preserve their six-point lead at the top of Sussex Open Hockey League Division One.

Saxons struggled to get going in the first half with numerous players gifting possession back to the opposition. Mid-table Brighton took advantage and went in at half time with a 1-0 lead.

Saxons captain Jamie Busbridge and former skipper Paddy Cornish sought to rectify the issues during the break, albeit with slightly different approaches.

It had the desired effect with a much-improved second half. A typical Alex Coombs run found Dan Burnett on the wing and he played in Busbridge, who finished from a tight angle on the reverse.

Minutes later Busbridge drove into the D and his reverse stick cross eventually fell to man of the match Hooton to put Saxons 2-1 up.

Saxons suffered a setback shortly after with Cornish receiving a yellow card and conceding a penalty flick despite the forward seemingly going away from goal and with keeper and defenders covering.

Sutton saved the penalty, though, and despite the 10-minute absence of Cornish, Hooton grabbed his second after good work down the right by Chris Meredith.

Saxons will travel to second-bottom East Grinstead III in their final fixture before the festive break this coming Saturday.

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