Saxons suffer first defeat

The Sussex Open Hockey League Division One game started with possession switching back and forth between the two sides, but Crowborough took an early lead when their strikers broke through and outnumbered the Saxons defence.

Saxons fought back with good passing play between the midfielders and they quickly equalised with a bullet shot from Paddy Cornish which left Crowborough’s goalkeeper with no chance.

Saxons then had a great chance to go ahead. Jamie Busbridge was taken out by the goalkeeper and stepped up to take the resulting penalty flick, but fluffed his effort wide having sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. Saxons were wasteful with a number of other chances before half time.

The second half started much like the first. There were chances at both ends, but when Harry Reece was sin-binned for a tackle from behind, Crowborough took control and went back in front by slotting the ball past Saxons goalkeeper Stewart Feakes. A third goal quickly followed via an unlucky deflection off a Saxons defender.

Saxons tried to mount a late comeback, but were put to bed by a fourth Crowborough goal late on. Feakes wan man of the match for some triple saves.

Saxons will host local rivals Eastbourne II this Saturday. Push-back is 1.30pm.

Saxons: Feakes, Cornish, S. Bunday, Cload, J. Meredith, C. Meredith, J. Bunday, Reed, Stainsby, Reece, Coombs, Busbridge.