BROOKLANDS MU firsts went down 5-1 against Men's Hockey League Premier Division leaders Surbiton

On the back of a great victory against the previous leaders Beeston, Brooklands were full of confidence for their visit to the new leaders.

The game started fast with both teams showing attacking intent and an excellent run from Sam Perrin, which started on the halfway line, took Surbiton's back line by surprise as his skill and speed allowed him to round the keeper, only to flick the ball onto the bar.

The first half was a scrappy affair with no flow and saw Brooklands force one penalty corner after some nice play between James Sutcliffe, Oli Clarke, David Flanagan and Aidan Khares.

The corner was saved by the foot of the Surbiton stopper after Clarke's outreached stick could not turn the ball home. 

After another period of scrappy play, it was the turn of Surbiton to have a barrage of corners.

With a short-corner specialist being the main threat it was only a matter of time before they slotted home when a well-worked routine saw the ball end up in the bottom left corner of the Brooklands goal.

Brooklands started the second half with a little more purpose and shots from Tom Lush, David Flanagan and Peter Cornell were snuffed out by the hosts.

After a lot of possession and circle entry, it was Brooklands who would come unstuck.

Caught on the counter attack Surbiton exposed the high line and scored a second.

It was not until two more goals went in that Brooklands made it on to the scoresheet, Khares deflecting home a Dan Vincent shot which flew in. 

Surbiton had time to sneak another goal before the end of the game to complete the scoring, though Brooklands keeper Rob Turner prevented more goals with some fine saves.