Men’s Hockey League Preview – 23/24 October 2021
Surbiton and Wimbledon, level on 12 points along with Old Georgians are both in action on Saturday as the Men’s England Hockey League continues.
Surbiton go to East Grinstead, who return to action after a bye week. East Grinstead have one point from their first four games and face a rampant Surbiton team which scored nine goals against Brooklands Manchester University last Saturday. Although Surbiton will be without both Gareth Furlong and Jamie Golden due to the World Cup Qualifiers, East Grinstead will also be without Lewis Prosser, who won his 159th cap to become the most capped male player for Wales.
Wimbledon visit the University of Exeter, where they won 7-1 on their last visit in November 2019. Wimbledon will be without Callum MacKenzie and Ben Francis, who has scored twice for the London club this season. The University of Exeter are missing Rhys Bradshaw as they attempt to end their run of twelve successive defeats in the top flight.
Old Georgians have to wait until Sunday to get into action against the University of Durham, who lost 8-0 on their last visit to St. George’s College. Leading goalscorer, Sam Ward is unavailable as he recovers from a hand injury and Old Georgians will also have to cope without James Carson, Andy Bull and Lee Morton who are away on World Cup Qualifier duty.
Hampstead & Westminster dropped their first points of the season at Beeston last weekend and will need to regroup at home to Holcombe. Hampstead will be depleted with Toby Reynolds-Cotterill, Rupert Shipperley, Rhodri Furlong and Daniel Kyriakides all in Cardiff, whilst Holcombe will be without Robert Field. Hampstead’s last two home meetings with Holcombe have ended in draws and Holcombe will be hoping to build on their sole league win this season by seeking their first win at Hampstead since 2016.
Beeston were delighted with their second point of the season against Hampstead and face Oxted in Nottingham. Oxted have won two of their first three games, two of them coming away from home at East Grinstead and the University of Durham. Neither Beeston nor Oxted have been affected by World Cup call-ups and Beeston will want to pull away from the bottom of the table.