W1 Go Top After 4-1 Win At Loughborough
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Women went to the top of the Vitality Women's Hockey League Premier Division League Table for the first time this season following their 4-1 away win at Loughborough Students on Saturday afternoon.
Previous leaders Bowdon, drew 1-1 at home to Wimbledon to drop to second, a point behind Surbiton.
The match at Loughborough was played in changing weather conditions with the game starting and ending under sunny skies, but continuing during a two minute hailstorm towards the end of the first quarter.
Loughborough included former Surbiton players Jess Dyson and Pippi Spawforth in their matchday squad and dominated possession for the first three minutes as they tried to put the visitors under pressure from the start, Ellen Reid combining with Spawforth and Niamh McIvor.
Surbiton weathered the first of two storms in the first quarter before forcing a penalty corner from their first attack into Loughborough territory. Amy Costello was denied from the first two awards, but a third award in the sixth minute saw Martha Taylor put Surbiton ahead.
A minute later, Loughborough proved the theory that a team is vulnerable after they have just scored as they equalised immediately, Sam McCrory finding the backboard to delight the home supporters.
Loughborough had their one penalty corner opportunity in the tenth minute, but Surbiton cleared and set up a counter attack, Sophie Hamilton running at the home defence before Holly Payne sent the ball past the right post with an angled effort.
Surbiton created several chances in the second quarter, but couldn't conjure up the all important scoring touch, Elani Sherwood challenging the Loughborough defence and Sarah Evans pouncing on a turnover but unable to beat home goalkeeper, Molly Smith.
Taylor went close at the start of the third quarter, but Surbiton's second goal was the result of an excellent passing move, Katie Curtis, Meg Dowthwaite and Hamilton all involved, Hamilton crossing from the right for Josie Hippe to score her maiden first team goal in the 42nd minute.
Loughborough's Beth Alexander thwarted another Sherwood attack, but Surbiton led 3-1 in the 51st minute, Meg Dowthwaite converting the visitors' seventh penalty corner of the match.
Steph Elliott added the fourth with eleven minutes remaining and Smith came to Loughborough's rescue in the penultimate minute with saves as Alice Wills and Evans tried to help Surbiton score five goals in the fixture for the second season running.
Surbiton's Sabbie Heesh also made important saves as Loughborough battled to try and avoid a third successive home defeat this season, but Surbiton were just too good based on their second half performance.
Bowdon fell behind to Fiona Burnet's penalty corner conversion but equalised within a minute, Jane Donnelly earning a 1-1 draw against Wimbledon to maintain Bowdon's status as the only unbeaten team in the Premier Division.
Reading are two points behind Surbiton after their 3-1 home win over the University of Birmingham. Mia Moore scored twice for the Berkshire club but although Coca Hall halved the deficit, Lucie Daman sealed the win with four minutes remaining.
Hampstead & Westminster moved up to fourth above Clifton Robinsons thanks to their 3-0 home win over Isca & The University of Exeter. Melanie Wilkinson, Rachel Greenwood and Madi Ratclilffe were Hampstead's scorers.
Clifton Robinsons dropped to fifth on goal difference after a heavy 4-0 defeat at East Grinstead. Sophie Bray opened the scoring with Tess Howard collecting a brace and Sally Sime also contributing.
The University of Nottingham won the battle of Nottingham Hockey Centre, beating Beeston 2-1. Maddie Axford scored both Nottingham goals, the second coming a minute after Mads Newitt levelled for the hosts.
Next weekend, Surbiton Women have a double header, visiting East Grinstead on Saturday night (21 October) (push back 2 pm) before hosting Wimbledon on Sunday (22 October) at 2 pm.
Please note that the match at East Grinstead was originally due to start at 6 pm, but has been changed to 2 pm because of the double header weekend.
Surbiton Women's second team kept up their one hundred per cent record in Division One South with a 4-1 away win at Wimbledon 2s.
Surbiton led 3-0 at half time, Hannah Denison scoring in the 18th and 21st minutes from open play and Amie Hunt adding the third two minutes before the interval.
Wimbledon's Emily Barker pulled a goal back in the 51st minute, but Hunt grabbed her second goal of the game to clinch the win with two minutes to play.