Surbiton 6-2 Canterbury
Despite seeing his Surbiton side score six goals against Canterbury and go top of the Men’s Hockey League on Saturday, coach Todd Williams was still not happy.
Another hat trick for Alan Forsyth and goals from Stephen Kelly, Jonathan Gall and Michael Watt saw Surbiton overtake Holcombe after they drew against Beeston.
Although Canterbury scored two goals through Tariq Marcano and James Spain, Williams was more frustrated with his side’s wasteful attack.
He said: “The performance was not as good as the result. I think all the boys will be disappointed that we didn’t convert more opportunities.
“We didn’t create enough free shots at goal. We scored one direct corner, two rebounds and a stroke.
“We should have scored more field goals.”
Williams was also critical of newly announced Great Britain forward Forsyth.
“He is probably the one I am most critical of,” he added.
“Yes he scored a hat-trick but he should have set up a couple.”
Kelly scored the first goal of the match, when his drag flick found the bottom right-hand corner.
Shortly after, a deflection by Forsyth from a powerful Will Calnan cross put Surbiton two up.
Marcano pulled a goal back for the visiting side after his effort on the turn found the bottom-right corner.
Forsyth then doubled his team’s lead, reacting quickly from a great save by Diccon Stubbings to flick the ball into the top of the net.
A resolute Canterbury then closed the lead again, through Spain, who cleverly hit a rebounded ball high into the net.
Surbiton made easy work of the second half. Gall scored his side’s fourth, flicking the ball from above his left shoulder into the right corner.
With Canterbury hit by yellow cards, Watt capitalised when his shot found the bottom-left corner before Forsyth completed the scoring with a penalty stroke.
The Ladies’ first team also played Canterbury at home on Saturday, winning 4-3.
A Jenna Woolven deflection gave the hosts an early lead before the visitors drew level through Mel Clewlow.
Then two goals in five minutes from Charlotte Calnan and Rebecca Herbert gave Surbiton a 3-1 lead.
Again, Canterbury drew next blood through captain Grace Balsdon.
In the 67th minute, Surbiton sealed the victory through captain Sarah Haycroft , although Balsdon made it tighter again before the end.
The ladies take on Clifton in Bristol on Saturday, while the men play Cannock at home on Sunday.
Feature image of Alan Forsyth courtesy of England Hockey TV, via Youtube, with thanks
