Men's 1s win top of the table clash

Reigate Priory Mens’ 1s bounced back to winning ways with a 4-2 victory against Wimborne Wanderers at home. After suffering their first loss of the season to a clinical Addiscombe, Reigate knew that nothing less than a win would do against second place Wimborne.

The visitors started the brighter of the two sides, with Reigate suffering a combination of a hangover from the previous games and seemingly wanting to be elsewhere, namely the Christmas Market in Reigate High Street. Wimborne pressed high up the pitch and creating some good attacking pressure and deservingly took the lead after 20 minutes when Reigate failed to clear their lines, and Wimborne made the overload count to good effect.

This then spurred Priory into life, with midfield trio Simon Owen, James Brooker and Andrew Porter taking the game by the scruff of the neck to pile the press on the opposition, showing just why Reigate are a force to be reckoned with in the league. Pressure told, and Tom Pickersgill found the back of the net from the short corner in familiar fashion.

The second half was a thrilling affair, with Reigate taking the lead through Pickersgill who professionally finished after an unfortunate injury delay to a Wimborne player. Wimborne then equalised, after Reigate failed to clear their lines.

Reigate then produced a bit of champagne to take the lead, after quick thinking from Porter, covering at right back, crashed a 40 yard pass to James Chesterton, who played a beautifully weighted first time pass into the path of Dave Short, who calmly slotted home.

Reigate were then awarded a penalty stroke after a defender illegally stopped the ball with his body on the line; Pickersgill showed his usual composed finishing to complete his hatrick.

Ill discipline from Wimborne meant Reigate finished the game with a numerical advantage but by this stage the game was done and Reigate needed to do little more than consolidate to see the game out. Credit to the Wimborne keeper, who made some fantastic saves to keep the score-line down but Reigate ran out worthy winners in the end.

The win puts Reigate 5 points clear at the top of the table, guaranteeing that the side are top at Christmas. There is still a long way to go this season yet, but the side can be pleased with their efforts in the first half of the season.