Weekend Report: Four-Point Weekend Keeps Bees Flying High in Survival Fight
Competition: England Hockey League — Men's Premier Division Phase 2 Lower 6
Dates: Saturday 21 March & Sunday 22 March 2026
Weekend Summary
The Bees secured a vital four points from a gruelling double-header weekend, remaining unbeaten across two vital fixtures in the Lower 6 relegation battle. Following a hard-fought 1-1 draw at home against Southgate on Pride Night, the Bees travelled to Manchester the very next day and showed incredible resilience to come from behind and defeat Brooklands Manchester University 3-2.
Match 1: Bees Battle Back for Hard-Fought Point on Pride Night
Final Score: Beeston 1 - 1 Southgate
Venue: Nottingham Hockey Centre
Date: Saturday 21 March 2026
Goalscorers
- 8' James Hickson, Southgate (Penalty Corner) | 0-1
- 51' Joe Paul, Beeston (Field Goal) | 1-1
Match Breakdown
It was a game of two halves under the lights as Beeston secured a hard-earned point. The visitors started the brighter of the two sides, putting Beeston under early pressure and taking the lead in the 8th minute when James Hickson converted a penalty corner.
Southgate dictated much of the early play, but following a tactical regroup at half-time, Beeston emerged for the second half with renewed intensity. The Bees played admirably, taking the game to Southgate and posing a much greater attacking threat. The breakthrough finally came late in the third quarter. In the 51st minute, Joe Paul found the back of the net with a brilliant field goal, bringing the roaring home crowd to its feet.
Both defences held firm in a tense, card-free final quarter. The hard-fought draw was played against the fantastic backdrop of the club's Pride Night celebrations, rounded off with live music from Ben Haynes.
Match 2: Curry Double Seals Thrilling Away Victory
Final Score: Brooklands Manchester University 2 - 3 Beeston
Venue: Brooklands Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club
Date: Sunday 22 March 2026
Goalscorers
- 14' James Lavers, Brooklands (Field Goal) | 1-0
- 26' Josh Webb, Beeston (Field Goal) | 1-1
- 52' Christopher Curry, Beeston (Field Goal) | 1-2
- 63' Christopher Curry, Beeston (Field Goal) | 1-3
- 69' Leo Watton, Brooklands (Penalty Corner) | 2-3
Match Breakdown
With heavy legs from the night before, Beeston travelled to Brooklands needing a result. The hosts struck first, with James Lavers slotting home a field goal in the 14th minute. However, the Bees didn't let their heads drop. In the 26th minute, Josh Webb found the equaliser with a crucial field goal to ensure the teams went into the half-time break level at 1-1.
The second half belonged to Christopher Curry. In the 52nd minute, Curry fired Beeston into the lead with a fantastic field goal, and then doubled his tally just 11 minutes later to give the Bees a commanding 3-1 cushion.
The final ten minutes were fraught with tension. Brooklands' Ben Wallace saw yellow in the 67th minute, but the hosts still managed to claw one back via a Leo Watton penalty corner in the 69th minute. Beeston held their nerve through a chaotic final minute, which saw Archie Vaughan pick up a yellow card on the buzzer, to secure a monumental 3-2 away win.
Post-Weekend Reaction
Reflecting on the gruelling but successful weekend, Beeston's Ali Richmond praised the squad's character and fight:
"Taking four points from a double-header weekend at this stage of the season is massive for us. Saturday was a game of two halves — we were a bit slow off the mark against Southgate, but the reaction from the lads in the second half was brilliant, and Joe took his goal incredibly well in front of a great Pride Night crowd. To then travel up to Brooklands the next day, go a goal down, and fight back to win 3-2 shows the unbelievable character in this group. Curry was lethal in front of goal when we needed him. We've proven we have the fight for this relegation battle, and we're going to build on this momentum."