Kingston Mens Hockey first team made it four wins out of four this season as they thrashed Brighton Seconds 9-1 on Wednesday.

Despite missing key defender Andy Innes, Kingston started solidly and quickly demonstrated the attacking flair that has seen them go top of the South East Conference 2A table. In truth, the game was over by half-time with Kingston leading 6-0 courtesy of three goals from forward Harry Mayes, two from defender Jak Taylor and one from James Phillips.

The scoreline would have been even more one-sided but for the heroics of the Brighton goalkeeper who twice denied Mayes with fine saves as he looked to add to his tally.

Mayes did get on the scoresheet again early in the second half as Kingston picked-up where they left off before the break. Though defensively weak, Brighton continued to pose a threat through their well worked short corner routines, and it was little surprise that when they grabbed a consolation, it came from one such set piece.

Eager to regain the seven goal margin, Kingston stepped up the intensity and notched their eighth goal as Mayes was once again on hand to finish off a well constructed move. David Guy rounded off the scoring in the closing stages.

It is a sign of the high standards the team have set for themselves that Captain James Hallet, whilst happy with another three points, stressed the performance could have been better. “We’ve won and that’s the main thing but we all know that wasn’t our best peformance.”