Hockey: Nottingham maintain winning momentum

NOTTINGHAM, THE current leaders in the DTZ Midland Premier League, missed relegation last season by one place. Now, with a 100 per cent record, they are riding high following their 4-0 win against North Stafford at the weekend.

Nottingham's goalscorers were Gary Noseley (2), Ellis Thorpe and Dhaminder Singh.

In the South Premier, Beckenham came from behind against Maidenhead in a 3-1 win with Mike Dodds scoring twice to claw back the leadership from Purley Walcountians, who lost their unbeaten record after suffering a rare off-day, losing 2-1 at High Wycombe. David Ansdell scored twice for the home side, with Lachlan Fincher replying for Purley.

There were plenty of fireworks in the local derby at Fareham where, after the evergreen Colin Bradbury had given the home side the lead, City of Portsmouth, with two goals from Stuart Avery, came back to win 3-1 and move into third place. Kevin Smith missed two penalty strokes for Fareham. Portsmouth were at one stage reduced to eight players after three temporary suspensions.