A Barry Middleton brace helped Holcombe to come from behind against Beeston as they tightened their grip on the top of the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Sunday.
Beeston led at the break with goals from Elliott Hibell and Chris Proctor. But it proved to be a game of two halves as Barry Middleton hauled Holcombe back into contention with a goal in the 49th minute.
The comeback continued with a Sam Ward strike and then Middleton put the visitors ahead in the 61st minute.
There was still drama left in the game as Beeston thought they had equalised with five minutes remaining – but the goal was disallowed, and the defeat sees them drop to fifth.
Wimbledon remain second after a 5-2 win at home against Canterbury. Simon Mantell, Chad Conlon, Nathanael Stewart, Peter Millar and Steven Ebbers were all on target for the home side with Cale Cramer and Craig Boyne replying for the visitors.
On Saturday Sevenoaks, who were leaders of the Men’s Conference East at the start of the start of the weekend, were defeated 2-1 at home by Teddington.
Tejinder Hanspal’s eleventh of the season had cancelled out Richard Gear-Evans’ opener for the visitors, but Matt Daly converted a penalty corner one minute from time to give Teddington the points.
Men’s Hockey League (Saturday, 19 November 2016):
Men’s Conference East: Sevenoaks 1, Teddington 2.
Men’s Hockey League (Sunday, 20 November 2016):
Men’s Premier Division: Beeston 2, Holcombe 3; Wimbledon 5, Canterbury 2; East Grinstead 2, Hampstead and Westminster 3; Surbiton 6, Brooklands Manchester University 2; Reading 3, Loughborough Students 1.
Picture supplied by David Kissman.