The reverse encounter before Christmas was a tough encounter, and both sides were expecting more of the same.

The game started brightly, both sides seeing plenty of the ball and looking to gain control of a very tight match.
Saxons created the better of the early chances, Aston Spinks’ short corner was well charged down, captain James Bunday fired narrowly wide from a shot on the turn and tom Waters had the ball in the goal, only for it to be ruled out after striking a Saxons foot earlier in the move. It was however, the home side that took the lead – a well-worked short corner hammered past Brock Smith in the Saxons goal on the 20 minute mark.

After taking the lead, Brighton sat much deeper and seemed content to defend what they had for the remainder of the half. Nick Taylor looked threatening down the Saxons left and Andrew Orr was very dangerous surging through the middle, having a couple of shots well blocked by some good last-ditch Brighton defending. Saxons were unable to break through, and the score remained 1-0 at half time.

The second half started in similar fashion, with Saxons desperately trying to get a breakthrough to draw level again. James Wilson, Spinks & Orr were probing from midfield while Tom James, Ed Hooton, Waters & Taylor were trying to create from wide areas, but Brighton stood firm until a breakaway saw the ball break to Taylor inside the Brighton circle, his shot struck a Brighton foot on the line and Saxons were awarded a penalty stroke. With skipper, and usual penalty taker, Bunday off the pitch at the time, Taylor stepped up to take it himself and made no mistake – giving the keeper the eyes and sending the ball into the bottom corner. With 15 minutes to go, Saxons were back on terms at 1-1.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, both teams would have taken a point, but both were desperately pushing to claim all three. The hockey was fast-paced and end-to-end, and when Saxons pushed forward in search of a winner a cheap turnover presented Brighton with a breakaway overload – last man Tim Pilbeam was left isolated against two Brighton forwards, a full length dive from Smith and a scrambling Dom Ford couldn’t keep the shot out and with little over 5 minutes remaining, Brighton were back in front.

At this point Bunday threw caution to the wind, swapping keeper Smith for another forward, and Saxons surged forward desperately trying to get back on level terms. Sadly though it was not to be, Saxons threatened on a couple of occasions but the Brighton defence stood firm to see the game out and take the win 2-1, and also claim the league title.

Captain Bunday said after the game; “It was a great effort today, we gave it everything and came up just short against a terrific side. We’ve had two great games against these guys and narrowly missed out both times! Congratulations to Brighton, they’ve been the best side in the league and deserve their title! I’m proud of the lads, we gave it a real go today and that’s all we can do – we’ll go out next week against Horsham at Horntye and I’m sure that, in front of a home crowd, we’ll get the win we need to guarantee 2nd place, and hopefully promotion!”

Saxons: Smith, Pilbeam, Cornelius, Orr, Ford, Taylor, Spinks, Wilson, Hooton, Bunday (c), James, Waters & Lovell.
Saxons next game is against Horsham 4s, 1.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) at Horntye Park – all support would be greatly appreciated.”