Match Report by Colin Warne

On a crisp autumnal day, Magnums started with some equally crisp hockey and took an early lead with a fine goal, Colin Warne racing into space to strike home Tony James’ precise pass. 

The early dominance was maintained and Magnums secured a well-deserved second when Tony James somehow scrambled home from a prone position by the right-hand post.

Magnums were not having it all their own way, however, with Surbiton looking increasingly dangerous as they exploited the three-on-two they always seemed to have down their right-hand side.

Magnums’ half-time lead  of 2-0  was merited, but the frequent substitutions resulting from the understandable desire to give all 14 of the team a fair return for their journey to south-west London could be blamed for the disjointed second-half performance. Surbiton found plenty of space and spurned a number of good chances, particularly from a couple of short-corners. Cliff Peck found himself the busiest of the keepers, though his opposite number made a fine double save from Colin Warne. A goal-line clearance by Martin Cramer kept Magnums ahead and Patti should have made the game safe when shooting wide with the goal at his mercy. 

A deserved win, but one that perhaps should not have been so tight.

MoM: Colin Warne