By Dan Jones

Addiscombe Hockey Club Men recorded their second consecutive victory in Surrey Division One with a comfortable 3-0 win at struggling Barnes.

Having taken the maximum six points from the two games against Barnes last year, the team were confident on arrival, with striker Phil Wise re-joining the team after a spell in the Addiscombe 2nds, and Simon Harris regaining his place the middle of defence after a groin injury. 

The As started strong on the bouncy water-based pitch in Dukes Meadow, creating several chances in the first 10 minutes.

Unfortunately, the Addiscombe right back, Ben Webb, had to retire from the game with painful calves - Dan Jones moved back from his midfield position to fill the void.

The constant pressure on the opposition finally paid off when a ball fired into the D from the right hand side by Jones was expertly trapped by Joe Benzies before neatly finishing into the corner on his reverse stick.

Confidence seemed to build through the Addiscombe contingent and wave after wave of attack seemed to create good chances.

With 15 minutes left on the clock in the first half, Wise reacted well to a loose ball in the Barnes D, and finished wisely in to the bottom corner to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

Before the break, Jaideep Desai, was stick-tackled in the opponent's D forcing a short corner for the visitors. Jon Barradell took control of a swiftly-injected ball and played a precision pass in front of the goal line, allowing Dan Heayberd to meet and chip over the advancing keeper. Addiscombe finished the half 3-0 ahead.

Barnes started stronger in the second half, surging forward with enthusiasm in search of a come-back goal, pinning Addiscombe in their own defensive D for what seemed like an eternity.

But excellent concentration from the Addiscombe keeper, Michael Clark, kept Addiscombe in the game with some fantastic saves from open play, setting the example for the defence.

Barnes built up the pressure winning two short corners in quick succession, but the Addiscombe defensive line stayed strong.

The last 10 minutes seemed to pass in no time at all as both teams began to tire, passing the ball sloppily and reacting very slowly.

As the final whistle went, the good-spirited game left Addiscombe with the three points, lifting them to fifth in the table.

This Saturday Addiscombe face newly-promoted side Camberley & Farnborough in the league at Trinity School, followed by a game in the first round of the Surrey Cup competition against London Academicals on Sunday.