An 8-2 win for Reigate Priory 2’s over mid table rivals Barnes shows how they are fighting hard in a mid-table battle where goal difference counts; this is all that separates the teams from 6th -8th.

The victory was not initially as comfortable as the score suggests, with some of the challenges starting before pushback. Waking up to a clear crisp morning on Saturday lead predictably to a frozen pitch, although only delaying push back by 10 minutes. Other less predictable troubles were also encountered, the loss of a player due to a failed clutch less than 10mins from the pitch and even a “locked” gate that prevented access for a time (the gate was open, perhaps the person trying to open it wasn’t fully awake).

Despite these pre-match complications Priory started well, making use of some fast passing moves and coming close a couple of times before Reigate’s Captain, James Wigzell opened the scoring. Despite a few more chances coming from similarly fast passing moves, Barnes gained a bit of momentum, hitting the post and eventually scoring an equaliser.

After a saved shot from Priory the ball fell to Alex Darnell, who was wearing a shirt proclaiming his name to be “Big Earl” surely motivating him to live up to the grandiose name. Calm in front of goal Big Earl slotted home to re-take the lead for Priory. Despite some good attempts from Barnes, Matt Tuppen in the Reigate goal was up to the challenge and pulled of a few important saves enabling Priory to go into half time maintaining their slender lead. However they saw this disappear within the first few minutes of the second half, with Barnes levelling the scores.

It did not take long for the momentum to yet again be back with Priory and the second half saw some free flowing hockey that Barnes did not have the answer to in an encounter which was growing ever more physical. A skilled pick up from Ben Prego outside the D saw him fire the ball into the goal to give Priory the lead again for the third time in the match, Ben also added another goal to his tally later on. Returning to the pitch after being patched from the effects of a ball to the face in the first half James Wigzell managed to scramble in another goal to extend Priory’s lead.

Tom Crees, who was playing in central defence at the time, managed to open his account when he fortuitously found himself in front of an open goal, something Sandy Baxter wasn’t able to similarly take advantage of when he found himself in the same position. Sandy did however play an important part in James Wigzell’s third goal, un-selfishly leaving the ball to run under his stick and through to James who was able to convert from just off the goal line and seal his first ever hatrick. Something he was able to discuss with the wonderful nursing staff at the East Surrey A&E Department while getting one stitch for each goal he scored to close his face wound.

It was a great team performance from Priory, showcasing the sort of fast flowing and expansive hockey Reigate Priory 2’s are capable of and a steadfast defence which makes teams hard to beat. They now look to the remaining games to move up the league and separate themselves by more than goal difference from their close rivals.