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BEESTON 4 - 4 EAST GRINSTEAD

Image - Striker Chris Seddon on a dribble

Fellow Euro Hockey League rivals, Beeston and current England Champions, East Grinstead, clearly demonstrated their European status in a game which saw the sides share eight goals.

Grinstead powered into a second minute lead through a splendid Dave De Prez reverse shot but Beeston quickly equalised when Martin Jones weaved his way around the Sussex circle to beat goalkeeper, Richard Potton.

East Grinstead drove into the lead after Glenn Kirkham disposed fellow Great Britain colleague, Alistair Wilson, to leave Chris Hardy with a simple chance.

Beeston had two easy chances to get back into the game but Chris Seddon couldn't find the target. Niall Stott scored Grinstead's fourth penalty corner in the 38th minute to give them a massive lift.

Beeston slowly got into the game and Seddon found Mark Wadsley in unfamiliar territory and the left half pulled one back in the 50th minute; the stalwart defender scoring his first league goal on his 63rd appearance in a Beeston shirt.

Beeston pushed on but South African, Gareth Carr smashed East Grinstead's next penalty corner high into the roof of the Beeston net, to give the Bees little chance of recovery. But Beeston swarmed on.

The Bees went into top gear and played some scintillating hockey in the closing period of the match. Andrew Monte fired in Beeston's second penalty corner in the 59th minute and Grinstead were now on the back foot. The equaliser finally came in the last minute when Martin Jones was fouled inside the Sussex circle and Chris Seddon calmly stepped up to dispatch the penalty stroke past Potton, to give Beeston a share of the points.

Assistant coach Steve Musson, who has been preparing the squad while Zak Jones has been with Wales in the World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand, now passes on the mantle having taken Beeston through a five match unbeaten run. Musson commented, "We now have a tricky away match at Bowdon and play without our internationals, Adam Dixon and Alistair Wilson, who travel to Melbourne on Wednesday to represent England in the Champions Trophy. Now the full squad will be tested and it is important we take maximum points on the run up to the Christmas break."

Beeston have another double header this week. On Saturday they travel to Manchester to play Bowdon in the Premier League (2.00pm). On Sunday November 22nd, they return to Nottingham where they meet Fareham in Round 4 of the England Hockey Cup (2.00pm at Highfields Hockey Centre.)