Surrey thump Medway to progress in cup

After losing their first three league games, the University of Surrey’s 1ST XI hockey team finally found the winning formula this week.

League duties were swept aside as Surrey proved they were up for the cup with a 4-0 victory against Universities at Medway at the Surrey Sports Park. Despite the opposition being several leagues below the hosts, Surrey could be forgiven for feeling nervous before the game, given the start they had made to the season. However, Surrey dominated from the off and constantly posed a threat to the Medway goal. The threat was particularly apparent down the right hand side, with Russ Odendaal and Chris Fox consistently wreaking havoc. However, despite their control of the game, Surrey was guilty of squandering numerous chances and it looked as if half-time would bring
a stalemate.

However, Surrey turned up the style in the last five minutes of the first half with a devastating display of attacking hockey. First, Fox capped a fine first half display with an impressive individual goal to break the deadlock. Fox then doubled his and Surrey’s tally with a cool finish after a mad scramble in the Medway area two minutes later. Surrey even had time to have a further goal from Matt Brunt disallowed after he illegally lifted his stick up shoulder height.

The second half brought no respite for the beleaguered visitors, with Surrey continuing to knock on the door and scoring the third goal their team display merited, when Lowell Lewis tapped in after another wonderful team move. Despite being in total control, Surrey refused to step off the gas and could have added to their tally on numerous occasions before finally scoring a fourth fifteen minutes from the end when Jonny Stockbridge got himself on the score-sheet.

So Surrey was able to put their poor early-season form behind them with a win in the cup this week. Captain Harry Hole said that “this performance is the best we’ve had all season, we’re a very new squad and we’re getting better and better every week.” Surrey returns to action with away matches at Kingston University and Royal Free and University College Medical School in the next few weeks. The hope will be that this fine performance will act as a catalyst for further success this year.