Holcombe travelled to two-time reigning Champions and current league leaders Wimbledon on Saturday, looking to regain top spot in the division after surrendering the lead in a 0-0 draw last weekend.
Still suffering from a heavily depleted squad, Holcombe were able to welcome back James Steadman to their ranks but were still without Olympians Barry Middleton, Iain Lewers, Sam Ward, Jonty Robinson and David Ames.
With the league leaders at full strength with the exception of Henry Weir and enjoying an unbeaten season to date, it was always going to be a tough evening for the Kent outfit. With Coach Julian Halls also unavailable due to illness, the injured David Ames along with Captain and Vice-Captain pairing Richard Lane and Dan Fox took the reins.
With the temperature barely above freezing, it was the hosts that came out of the blocks sharpest, working the ball around well to force the visitors deep into their own half on a number of occasions.
Wimbledon were methodical in their early ventures into the Holcombe half, building play and possession well. Holcombe, content to absorb the early pressure, looked to attack with pace on the break in order to gain a foothold in the contest.
First half penalty corners for the home side were comfortably dealt with by the Kent sides’ back line until 3 minutes before half time where, after the initial strike was saved well by George Pinner, Jonny Kinder was on hand to lift the rebound over the stranded ‘keeper to put the home side ahead.
Just two minutes later and Wimbledon doubled their advantage. A swift break found Kinder in the circle who spun to shoot low across the face of goal for Chris Gregg to slide in and deflect home from close range to put the leaders in a commanding position at the break.
In a practical demonstration of the notion of a ‘game of two-halves’, Holcombe came out firing in the second period, restricting Wimbledon to play deep within their own half. A greater intensity amongst the Kent side put the champions on the ropes and a number of chances were created in front of James Bailey in the Wimbledon goal.
Strikes from James Davies, Robert Field and Gareth Andrew were all well saved by the Wimbledon stopper as Holcombe asserted their dominance on the fixture. As time wore on, the game began to open and Phil Roper’s strong reverse stick strike on the break forced a good save from George Pinner before a glorious chance for Jonny Kinder to double his tally for the afternoon went begging.
Holcombe continued to hammer on the door until the 63rd minute where, after the initial strike was well saved again by Bailey, Field was on hand to dive and deflect into the open goal to reduce the deficit.
Holcombe desperately pushed forward in search of an equaliser but Wimbledon held strong to claim the points and extend their lead at the top of the division to four points.
Without winning a single penalty corner in the contest, Holcombe were left visibly frustrated at a number of opportunities in the final third but showed great determination to push the champions so close with such a depleted squad.
Speaking after the game, Holcombe Vice-Captain Dan Fox said; “After a battling first half we played some really good hockey in the second, which made the end result disappointing. Wimbledon are a top side and to push them so close was a good performance, but we know that we can play better than that. Surbiton next week is another tough away match that I’m really looking forward to.”
That game against Surbiton, who currently sit just four points behind Holcombe with a game in hand, takes place at Sugden Road next Saturday at 6pm.