Double win kicks off the new season

BEESTON  15 – 0  SHEFFIELD HALLAM

Beeston got off to an amazing start to the new season when they demolished National League, Sheffield in the opening friendly of the season. Sheffield showed great determination as they played with skill and passion despite the heavy scoreline.  The Bees had 4 new signings on display; Australian, Craig Boyne; Simon Egerton from Bowdon; Joe Sharp, the England U18 international, from Belper, and Sam Dixon from Hampstead and Westminster.

Beeston powered into a 5-0 half-time lead. Beeston acting captain, Mark Wadsley collected a brace. Boyne hit two penalty corners whilst fellow new boy, Egerton also fired in from penalty corner.

In the second half the Bees went up another gear. Boyne added 2 more to give him 4 goals on his debut. Egerton followed suit by completing a hat-trick on his debut.  More goals flooded in from Chris Proctor, Martin Jones, Ben Arnold, Sam Dixon, Stephen Lawrence and Carl Smith.

Wadsley commented, “Considering we had 4 new players in the 16 today you would have thought we had all played together for ages. Our style of play was complimented by the new players and at times we were spectacular. We had 10 internationals missing today; competition for places is going to be really tough. This was a superb opening team performance.”

BEESTON  9 – 3  LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS

Beeston continued their winning ways on Sunday as they hit nine more goals past their Premiership rivals Loughborough Students. England schoolboy international, Aaron Hibell, made his debut for the Bees and Stuart Pilgrim returned to the squad.

Beeston took the lead through Ben Arnold before former Beeston forward, Samuel Ward pulled one back from Loughborough’s opening penalty corner. Simon Egerton put Beeston ahead with a 7th minute penalty corner flick and he then increased the lead with a penetrating run and fierce strike which found the roof of the net. As half time approached Kevin Ross was given too much space by the Beeston defence and he pulled the score back to 4-2. Ben Arnold increased the lead five minutes after half time with a superb goal. The Students scored from their second penalty corner in the 49th minute through Chris Barber. This triggered the Bees into action as they seemed to find another gear. Craig Boyne hit two goals and Martin Jones grabbed a brace as the Bees hit four goals in 15 minutes of attacking hockey. The Bees had the chance to make it ten but their final penalty corner was flicked wide of the target.

Head coach, Martin Jones summed up the weekend. “It was a pleasing start to the season but there is a long way to go before we start our Premiership campaign. All the new players played well and 24 goals in the opening two matches indicates that we now have some potent fire power in the front line.”

This weekend, Beeston move camp to Repton School. On Saturday they play Scottish Champions, Kelburne at 5.15pm. On Sunday, the Bees meet fellow Premiership side, Southgate, at 11.30am