Saxons hold on for opening day win

South Saxons Hockey Club’s men’s first team just about got its league campaign off to a winning start on Saturday.
Chris Meredith goes in for a tackle for South Saxons against Horsham III. Picture by Simon Newstead (SUS-150310-192246002)Chris Meredith goes in for a tackle for South Saxons against Horsham III. Picture by Simon Newstead (SUS-150310-192246002)
Chris Meredith goes in for a tackle for South Saxons against Horsham III. Picture by Simon Newstead (SUS-150310-192246002)

Saxons held on for a narrow 3-2 victory at home to Horsham III in Sussex Open Hockey League Division One after a 2-0 and 3-1 lead was almost wiped out amid a flurry of second half cards.

In warm sunshine at Horntye Park, Saxons passed the ball well during the first half and took the lead from a short corner. Jon Meredith played the ball across from the left for captain Jamie Busbridge to flick home.

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Horsham had the better of the play for a while, but Saxons defended well and doubled their lead just before half time. Alex Coombs went on one of his mazy runs and played the ball across for Busbridge to deflect home his second.

Although Horsham pulled one back early in the second half, Paddy Cornish had an effort well saved before man of the match Coombs made it 3-1 with a good shot from the top of the D.

Saxons then picked up two yellow and two green cards, and at one point were down to eight players. Horsham, who received one yellow card of their own, made it 3-2 during that spell, but Saxons - back up to 10 men by the closing stages - managed to hold on. Home goalkeeper Mike Sutton pulled off a good save at a short corner in the dying moments.

Saxons: Sutton, Riley, Cornish, Read, Cload, Orr, C. Meredith, J. Meredith, Coombs, Simmons, Busbridge.

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Saxons expect to field the same XI, plus Dan Burnett, when they make the long journey to Middleton this coming Saturday.

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