Surbiton 2-1 Beeston
Two goals from Alan Forsyth helped Surbiton beat reigning champions Beeston in the NOW:Pensions Premier League third place play-off at Lee Valley.
Having suffered defeat to local rivals Wimbledon in yesterday’s semi-final, Todd Williams’ side had little left to play for but pride after they saw their chance of a league and cup double – as well as their European spot – slip away.
Forsyth’s strikes came either side of an equaliser from Beeston’s James Blackwell and Surbiton were able to hold on thanks to a string of fine saves from keeper David Kettle.
“We really, really wanted to get to the final and win,” said stand-in skipper Chris Grassick.
“But today it was about getting back a bit of pride and playing how we have been the rest of the season.
“It’s been brilliant weather, there’s been a good crowd and this is an awesome facility – It’s just a shame we couldn’t have done better.
“We will be back training hard, focusing on Reading and really going for the cup because it would be great to win it again.”
Surbiton were without their leading scorer Matt Daly – who is away in Sri Lanka on a sports tour with Kingston Grammar School where he is a coach – for of their play-off matches over the weekend.
“Matt was a big loss, especially from short corners,” said Forsyth.
“He’s scored 27 goals this season and close to 20 of those have been from short corners – he’s a key threat for us.
“Yesterday we just didn’t show up so we knew if we showed up today it we would have a good chance to finish the job that was left to do.
“Today the boys were a lot stronger on the pitch, both mentally and with the ball, so that made a huge different for us.”
