W1 Face Top Of The Table Clash On Saturday
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Women face a top of the table clash on Saturday when they visit Paddington Recreation Ground to take on leaders, Hampstead & Westminster (push back 1400).
Surbiton and Hampstead are the last two unbeaten teams in the Women's Hockey League Premier Division, Hampstead returning to the top of the table after Surbiton were held to a goalless draw by Wimbledon last Saturday.
Only Amy Cradden's last gasp equaliser for Loughborough Students has prevented Hampstead from having maximum points as the London club aim to finish top of the table for the second season running, having seen their quest for a maiden league championship ended at the semi-final stage by eventual champions, Reading.
Hampstead boast the best defensive record in the division having conceded only five goals so far this season, in part thanks to goalkeeper Miriam Pritchard's four clean sheets this season.
Surbiton were frustrated by Wimbledon's goalkeeper, Jess Buchanan who saved an Amy Costello penalty stroke on the way to her fifth clean sheet of the season, whilst Surbiton's Ayeisha McFerran collected her third clean sheet of the campaign.
Hampstead didn't concede their first goal of the season until their fourth match after a 3-0 win over East Grinstead, a 1-0 victory at Bowdon and a 7-0 thrashing of Clifton Robinsons.
Naomi Kelly ended the run for Barnes, but couldn't prevent Hampstead winning 3-1 before Hampstead dropped their only points so far in Leicestershire. A 4-1 home win over Durham University; a 2-1 win against the University of Birmingham and a convincing 6-0 victory at the University of Nottingham has ensured that Hampstead go into the Surbiton clash with some momentum.
Hampstead have plenty of scoring options with Holly Hunt leading the way with five goals; Rose Tynan and Lucy Hyams both on four with Esme Burge, Sophie Hamilton and Catherine Ledesma all on three.
Tyler Lench has scored twice and Lauren Hunt, Jane Kilpatrick, Jo Leigh and Sofia Martin have all scored single crucial goals to help Hampstead maintain pressure on their rivals.
Surbiton will be disappointed that their free scoring run which saw them rack up 17 goals in their last two home games was abruptly halted by Wimbledon, but they will be equally determined to get a victory at Paddington Rec and go back to the top of the table with two games remaining in Stage 1.
Darcy Bourne will want to add to her ten goal tally; Erica Sanders is on seven with Costello unlucky not to score her sixth goal of the campaign from the penalty spot.
Elsewhere on Saturday, third-placed East Grinstead host fourth-placed Wimbledon. Reading, who are fifth are at home to Barnes, who are above the University of Nottingham, currently in the relegation zone, on goal difference.
The University of Birmingham, currently hanging on to sixth place, are at home to Durham University, who have won three of their first eight matches in their first ever season in the top flight. Loughborough Students, a point behind Birmingham, travel to Clifton Robinsons, who will want to build on earning their first point at the University of Birmingham last weekend, as they try and pull away from the bottom of the table.
The University of Nottingham are at home to Bowdon knowing that a win would move them to within a point of their Altrincham based opponents.