W1 Top of Prem After 4-1 Win At Reading
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Women are top of the Women's Hockey League Premier Division after two games on goal difference from second-placed Durham University after reigning champions, Reading were beaten 4-1 on home turf at Sonning Lane on Saturday afternoon.
The Premier Division is effectively split into thirds with four teams on six points; four teams on three points and four teams yet to break their duck as the top flight is still looking for its first drawn match twelve games into the 2025-26 season.
Surbiton immediately put Reading under pressure by forcing a penalty corner after just 87 seconds. The visitors had the majority of possession in the early minutes and were rewarded in the sixth minute, Erica Sanders opening the scoring from open play.
Reading had come from 1-0 down to beat Wimbledon 2-1 in their opening match last weekend, but a clinical penalty corner drag-flick from Amy Costello rebounded off the backboard in the 13th minute to double Surbiton's lead and give the Berkshire club a scenario to think about.
Reading's Caroline Spence and Surbiton's Ellie Mackenzie battled as did Surbiton's Ella Burnley and Reading's Maddie Goodman, but Surbiton looked the more confident of the two teams putting together some excellent passing moves in their attempt to unlock the Reading defence.
A flowing move between Darcy Bourne, Sanders and Sophie Hamilton forced Reading to concede a penalty corner award in the second quarter, whilst Georgie Gardens, Izzy Yonge and Martha Taylor gave the Reading defence problems with another well executed passing move, but Surbiton had to settle for a 2-0 half time lead. Surbiton did get the ball in the Reading goal for the third time in the first half, but the umpire blew the whistle to award a penalty corner seconds before the ball crossed the line, Reading surviving as goalkeeper Heather Elder saved from a re-awarded set piece.
Reading were caught out again early in the third quarter, this time conceding a penalty corner after just 72 seconds, Giselle Ansley's shot whistling past the left post.
Surbiton's third goal came in the 42nd minute and was a result of persistence as Hamilton, Gardens and Bourne threatened in the circle, but although Elder made a save, Sanders ultimately sent the ball high into the net for her second goal of the match to put Surbiton into a commanding position.
Reading's hopes of a miracle comeback were effectively ended in the 52nd minute as Surbiton's eighth penalty corner of the match was dispatched against the backboard by Ansley to leave Reading trailing 4-0 with one quarter remaining.
Reading scored what proved to be a consolation goal in the 62nd minute, Georgia Howe ending Ayeisha McFerran's hopes of a second consecutive clean sheet, the home supporters and players celebrating as if they had won the league championship again.
The win equalled their biggest away victory at Sonning Lane, Surbiton having beaten Reading 4-1 in the Championship semi-final in 2013-14, the day before beating Canterbury 3-0 to win the Premier Division title for the first time.
Surbiton also scored four goals for the second successive visit to Sonning Lane, having drawn 4-4 in the first meeting last season.
Durham University thrashed the University of Nottingham 7-1 at Maiden Castle to go second. Lizzy Pocknell scored a hat-trick with Rebecca Birch, Emmie Gilbert, Eva-Rose Ferguson and Ava Findlay guiding the hosts to a dream start after two weeks of their first ever season in the top flight. Freya Robinson scored Nottingham's goal.
The other promoted club, Barnes are still looking for their first Premier Division goal after Wimbledon won 4-0 at Dukes Meadow. Flora Fletcher gave Wimbledon the lead for the second week running with Hannah French, Anna Toman and Becky Manton helping the visitors bounce back after last week's defeat to Reading.
Olivia Hamilton's penalty corner goal on the stroke of half time was enough to give Hampstead & Westminster a 1-0 win and all three points at Bowdon. The University of Birmingham won by the same score at Loughborough Students, Coca Hall scoring the only goal.
East Grinstead won 2-0 at Clifton Robinsons thanks to Carlota Gomez and Julia Balcerzak. Surbiton visit East Grinstead next week, the push back at Saint Hill is at 1600.