Beeston move 3 points clear at the Top.

HAMPSTEAD 1 - 5  BEESTON 

Beeston increased their lead at the top of the MHL Premiership with an impressive 5-1 victory away at Hampstead and Westminster. The game saw Great Britain Olympian, Harry Martin, make his Beeston debut.

The opening phase of the match saw an interesting pacey encounter which neither side could break. Beeston moved into the lead in the 25th minute as Ireland international, David Ames deflected home a well worked penalty corner. Beeston increased their lead in the 35th minute when Harry Martin followed up a Sam Dixon penalty corner to give the Bees a clear half-time lead.

Three minutes into the second half Simon Egerton found Ben Arnold with a superb left wing cross and the England U21 international scored from a diving deflection.

Beeston continued to dominate and a clever piece of trickery from Craig Boyne found Martin Jones who casually chipped home over goalkeeper, Ian Scanlon, in the Hampstead goal, to give the Bees a 4-0 lead.

Hampstead continued to press and Michael Wark scrambled home from close range to pull one back for the Londoners in the 65th minute.

Beeston rallied; forced a penalty corner at the other end, and Simon Egerton rounded off a fine away win with a penalty corner strike in the 66th minute.

Beeston now face East Grinstead at Highfields Sports Club on Sunday 7th October 2.00pm. This Clash of the Titans will be the last chance to see Beeston before they fly out to Barcelona for their Euro Hockey League Round 1 matches against Amsterdam and Polish champions, Grunwald Poznan.

Beeston captain, Adam Dixon, commented, “The East Grinstead match will be ideal preparation for the start of our EHL campaign. Both sides play attractive hockey and we expect a big crowd for this one. We are installing the England Hockey Board inflatable pitch on The Cage and all spectators and friends are invited to have a go at Rush Hockey before the big game.”