HOCKEY

Belper 4
Old Loughtonians 5
(SEHL Division One) OLD Loughtonians men stayed on course for promotion following a thrilling away win at Belper on Sunday.

Oliver Didham got the visitors off to a flyer, racing onto a high aerial ball and driving a hard back hand shot into the net for the fastest goal in league history - just 13 seconds.

On six minutes Sam McCambridge's low shot following a swift Belper breakaway brought the scores level.

Luke Gupta restored the lead with a low shot but Belper soon equalised from a rebounded corner converted by Mark Lamb.

A minute later Loughts were back in front when a free hit found its way to Alex Jennings, who slotted the ball home.

But again, the hosts drew level soon after when a direct through ball found its way to McCambridge to score his secnd of the game.

There was still enough time for James Stedman to make it 4-3 to the visitors before half time with a deflected short corner.

The second half didn't continue at the same tempo but seven minutes in Loughts scored their fifth when a Liam Doidge corner flick was stopped on the line by a foot. Didham scored from the penalty spot.

Belper pulled one back from a drilled in free hit to find a diving McCambridge to complete his hat trick.

Loughts had numerous chances to make it safe but a mixture of poor decision making and finishing, and some good goalkeeping, kept the score at 5-4 at the final whistle.

Loughts play third placed Old Georgians at Luxborough Lane on Sunday.