South Saxons Men's 3's 3--v--2 Crawley Mens 3's

Ed Chapman's men maintained second spot in Sussex Open Hockey Division Three despite a determined effort from the visitors in the blustering wind.

A high press in the opening five minutes paid off when veteran Peter Klein sprinted into the D and set up James Bunday for a neat reverse tap in from close range.

But Crawley hit back in the 13th minute with a well taken drag flick past rookie keeper Nathaniel Webster.

Saxons survived several breaks on goal from from the visitors before re-taking the lead on 25 minutes. Chapman's flicked shot in the 'D' was superbly deflected into the goal by midfield dynamo James Wilson.

Saxons cranked up the pressure on the visitors in the second half and were rewarded via a short corner on 51 minutes. Bunday's shot was pushed out by the keeper and Sol Buckner stepped up to rifle the ball home from eight yards out to make it 3-1.

Minutes later Chapman was yellow carded for what was judged an over-zealous tackle but Saxons kept their composure.

Crawley made the hosts sweat in the final quarter when they forced the ball home after a goal mouth scramble in the 57th minute to make it 3-2.

Rob Mercer then spent two minutes on the sidelines after receiving a green card for obstructing a player as he tried to shepherd the ball out of play.

However Saxons held firm to secure three more vital points in the race for promotion.