Hat-trick keeps leaders on top

Nick Thompson, with his first hat-trick of the season, set Old Loughtonians on their way to a 6-1 victory over Surbiton to stay on top of the Premier Division of the National League ahead of Reading on goal difference.

Jason Lee and Alan Philpot had opened the scoring for the Old Boys, with Ian Morrison rounding it off before Neil Pendle scored Surbiton's late consolation.

Reading, who kept up the pressure on Loughtonians, were much too strong for Barford Tigers in a 5-2 victory with five players getting on the score sheet. The defending champions Cannock returned to winning form with a 3-1 victory over Hounslow. First-half penalty corner conversions from Craig Parnham (2) and Bobby Crutchley did the damage. Stephen Hankins got Hounslow's second-half response.

There was high drama at Guildford where the home side was blitzed by visiting Teddington with four goals in the opening 14 minutes from Paul Way (2), Jon Hauck and Tyrone Moore. Teddington then paid the penalty of making too frequent substitutions, lost their rhythm and allowed Guildford to pull back to 4-4 with goals from Roly Ward, Ian Jennings (2) and Danny Hall. Jennings also had a penalty stroke brilliantly saved by Jon Ebsworth.

However, they lost their discipline and, suffering temporary suspensions to Jennings, Brett Garrard and Mark Morris, allowed Phil McGuire to snatch the winner for Teddington.