Hampstead & Westminster’s men maintained their 100 per cent record in the Premier Division with victory over leaders Beeston.
Both sides had won their first two matches this season, but Hampstead took a fifth-minute lead as Steve Kelly raced away on the left and delivered a perfect reverse-stick cross for diving Welsh team-mate Rupert Shipperly to deflect in at the far post.
Beeston quickly found their feet and forced a string of short corners, charged down bravely by Joe Crame, while keeper Toby Reynolds-Cotterill also saved well at his near post from a smart backhand effort.
Hampstead hit back and after industrious work on the right from Marc Edwards, the ball was fed into the circle where Sam French hit the post at close range.
The ensuing melee resulted in Hampstead’s first, and only, corner of the day which Matt Guise-Brown fired home just before the break.
The second half was slightly more frantic with chances at both ends and Toby Roche ought to have scored when fed by Chris Cargo but his effort was blocked by the on rushing Simon Hujwan.
Chris Proctor reduced the gap as he lost his marker and rounded the helpless Reynolds-Cortterill on 44 minutes but Beeston were unable to convert any further chances and Hampstead now sit second in the table behind Holcombe on goal difference.
After trips to Sevenoaks and Exeter, the next home game is at Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre under the floodlights on October 27 against Holcombe.
After a winning start to their East Conference campaign against fellow title contenders Wimbledon, Hampstead and Westminster’s women faced a tough trip to St Albans.
Hampstead started well, with plenty of chances early on, but the St Albans keeper made several smart saves.
The deadlock was broken late in the first half as a well-worked penalty corner move was smartly finished by Scotland and GB international Sarah Robertson.
The hosts were more aggressive in the second half, breaking Hampstead’s rhythm, but the visitors held firm and Jasmine Clark finished off another excellent move to make it 2-0.
Hampstead visit potential title rivals Sevenoaks, who also have two wins, on Saturday.
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