A huge victory for Surbiton’s men over Brooklands MU saw them overtake Old Georgians at the top of the Men’s Premier Division.
Both sides won – keeping up their perfect starts to the season – but Surbiton’s 9-1 thrashing of Brooklands MU moves them above Old Georgians, who beat Holcombe 2-1, by virtue of having scored more goals, with the two teams boasting the same goal difference.
Luke Taylor found the back of the net four times for Surbiton as they produced a masterclass of an attacking performance. Nick Hale had given Brooklands the lead in the 15th minute but five goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half saw the 2020 champions comfortably ahead at the interval before they added four more in the final two quarters.
Alongside Taylor’s goals, Rob Farrington and Ben Boon both scored twice while David Goodfield also got his name on the scoresheet.
Old Georgians kept up their unblemished start to the season but were made to work hard during their visit to Holcombe. Sam Ward scored his 11th goal of the season to put Georgians ahead in the first half before Tim Guise-Brown drew the hosts level with nine minutes to go. However, James Tindall was on hand to score for the third time in five games to secure three points once again.
They remain ahead of Wimbledon in the table but only narrowly as the south-west London side thumped University of Durham, moving them onto 12 points alongside Surbiton and Old Georgians but just behind on goal difference.
Seven players found the net as they won 8-0, Ronan Harvey-Kelly bagging two while Duncan Scott, David Condon, Eddie Way, Arthur Hughes, Ed Horler and Sam Hooper all got their names on the scoresheet.
Hampstead & Westminster dropped to fourth in the table after failing to win for the first time this season as they drew 2-2 with Beeston. After a goalless first half, Josh Pavis scored from a corner to put Beeston into the lead as they searched for their first win of the season. Matt Guise-Brown continued his rich vain of form by scoring twice in five minutes to put Hampstead in the ascendancy but Sam Apoola’s 65th minute equaliser ensured the points were shared.
Elsewhere, Oxted recorded their third win of the season thanks to a last-minute winner from Owen Williamson. Hosting the University of Exeter, Oxted fell behind in the 10th minute courtesy of a goal for Exeter by Max Lowrey. Chris Webster levelled proceedings just over a quarter of an hour later before Williamson struck the winner in the final minute.
The top three teams in Division One North all continued their perfect starts to the season as Cardiff & Met, University of Nottingham and Loughborough Students won for a fourth successive weekend. They each had to battle though, with Cardiff retaining their spot at the top of the table courtesy of a 2-1 win over Bowdon. A single strike was enough for University of Nottingham to beat Cambridge City 1-0 while Loughborough Students required two late goals to earn a 2-0 win over City of Peterborough. University of Birmingham picked up their first point of the season after playing out a scintillating 4-4 draw with Deeside Ramblers while Olton & West Warwicks beat Sheffield Hallam 3-2 on Saturday.
Reading’s brilliant start to 2021/22 showed no signs of easing up as they beat Havant 6-2 to record their fourth win from four games in Division One South. Canterbury beat Brighton & Hove 8-0 to stay second in the table, ahead of Sevenoaks and Old Cranleighan on goal difference after they recorded 2-1 and 4-3 wins over Southgate and Teddington respectively. Team Bath Buccs picked up maximum points for the first time this year with a 1-0 victory over Oxford Hawks.
Old Loughtonians maintained their narrow lead at the top of the Conference East after beating Hampstead & Westminster 2s 3-0. They sit on 10 points, with three teams just one point behind after London Edwardians beat West Herts 5-1, Richmond overcame Wapping 3-2 and London Wayfarers defeated Spencer 5-2. In the other game, Bromley & Beckenham were 4-2 winners over Indian Gymkhana.
The clash of the top two proved to be a hugely entertaining affair in the Conference Midlands as Harborne and Barford Tigers played out a fantastic 3-3 draw. However, that means they both dropped points for the first time this season and Harleston Magpies took full advantage, keeping up their 100% record to beat University of Birmingham 2s 3-1 and move to the top of the table. Cambridge University got off the mark as they drew 3-3 with Loughborough Town, while Bedford’s 2-0 victory over St Albans was their first win of the season.
Belper now sit alone at the head of the Conference North after they won their fourth straight match, beating Timperley 3-2. Didsbury Northern are still in second place but are now two points behind as they drew 3-3 with Leeds. Doncaster continued their unbeaten streak after a 5-1 win over Alderley Edge, while Beeston 2s won for the first time this year as they overcame Preston 2-1. In the other game, University of Durham 2s drew 2-2 with Wakefield on Saturday.
Clifton Robinsons may have lost their unblemished start to the season but a 2-2 draw against University of Exeter 2s was enough to promote them to top of the Conference West, with University of Bristol dropping points for the first time too as they were beaten 3-0 by Isca. That result moved Isca into second on goal difference, ahead of Bristol and then Ashmoor on nine points after the latter beat Cardiff University 2-1. Elsewhere, Fareham and Chichester both won for the first time in 2021/22 as they beat Plymouth Marjon (3-0) and Cheltenham (2-1) respectively.
