W1 Qualify For Top Six After 6-0 Win At Bowdon
By Colin PIke
Surbiton Women booked their place in the Women's Hockey League Premier Division Top Six in Phase 2 after a dominant 6-0 win at Bowdon on Saturday.
Surbiton had won 7-1 on their last visit to Altrincham, but with the atmospheric floodlights switched on after the sun had set in the North West, the visitors cruised to another win by a six goal margin, although to their credit, Bowdon defended well at times during the match.
Bowdon's Alex Lukin, Eve Pearson, Catriona Booth, Alia Jaques and Rebecca Birch all frustrated Surbiton attacks in the first quarter before Erica Sanders opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a superb shot into the Bowdon net.
Five minutes later, Surbiton's first penalty corner was converted by Jordan Homann to double the visitors lead with her third goal of the season. Two goals in the final five minutes of the second quarter left Bowdon trailing 4-0 at half time.
Liz Thompson scored her first goal for Surbiton from the penalty spot on the half hour after a penalty stroke was awarded during a Martha Taylor attack and Bowdon were not happy with Surbiton's fourth goal, Ellie Mackenzie also netting her fourth goal of the campaign after an umpire consultation following protests by the home team.
Bowdon's defence held out during the third quarter, during which they had the chance to threaten Amber Walton's clean sheet from their only penalty corner of the match, but the shot went wide of the right post.
Sanders scored her second goal of the match and fourth of the season, putting away a rebound after Ella Jackson's initial save before Alice Wills scored for the second time this season, converting Surbiton's fourth and final penalty corner with four minutes to play.
Surbiton remain in fourth place after the top four teams all won. Reading won 2-1 at the University of Nottingham to maintain their four point advantage over the reigning champions. Lorna Mackenzie and Mia Moore gave Reading a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes with Katie Alexander pulling a goal back in the third quarter.
Hampstead & Westminster are a point behind Reading following their 5-0 home win over Sutton Coldfield. Madi Ratcliffe notched a brace, with Lucy Hyams, Tyler Lench and Joie Leigh adding to the bottom club's misery.
East Grinstead had to work harder to secure a 1-0 home win over the University of Birmingham, the only goal coming from a penalty corner as Biba Mills netted with five minutes remaining to ensure they stayed three points behind Reading.
Wimbledon took a step closer to booking their place in the Top Six, winning 2-1 at home to Clifton Robinsons. Livvy Lane put the Bristol club ahead from the penalty spot, but goals from Becky Manton and Sarah Jones gave Wimbledon the three points.
Holcombe signed three points this week, but it wasn't enough to prevent Loughborough Students winning 3-0 in Kent. Liv Breed, Pippi Spawforth and Madeleine Goodman helping the Students to move up to seventh place on goal difference from the University of Nottingham and Bowdon.
Surbiton Women face Sutton Coldfield in their final home game of 2024 next Saturday (16 November) when the push back is at 4 pm.