Women’s 4s 2 - 0 Spencer 3s (H)
By Carole Date-Chong
Skirtgate...
After a winning start to 2026, more points were up for grabs in the second weekend of the second half of the season for the Surbiton Women’s 4s. Surbiton vs Surbiton was the theme of match day at Sugden Road, but the 4s were going up against Spencer 3s who had taken the spoils in the away fixture earlier in the season. The team squeezed into changing room 2 where DOD was to be sorted early in the proceedings.
Even though Maddie couldn’t work her new stick bag and stragglers joined late with their excuses, a certain returning player had forgotten how to get dressed properly. It was quickly pointed out that her skirt was inside out and so followed a communal sigh of relief particularly from the more DOD prone players. With that sorted and the aroma of deep heat heavy in the air, Herbie and Herbie Junior ran through the strategy and tactics for the game ahead. Cristiano Ralphado made sure he was on the team sheet and we made our way to Pitch 2.
The excited crowd was treated to a strong start from both teams. Surbiton moved the ball with purpose and ensured mistakes were mopped up with cool heads. Surbiton began to control the game, stringing clinical attacking passes together to apply a lot of pressure on Spencer. This came to a head when Surbiton was awarded the first short corner of the game. With the initial strike not getting through, both teams scrapped to secure the situation. Swindle took charge and slotted the ball past the keeper to give Surbiton an early lead. The goal gave the team even more confidence and wave after wave of attacks flooded the Spencer D. Any possession the opposition found was quashed by the back line.
In particular, Player of the Match Evie expertly turned defence into attack, running rings around Spencer’s midfield. More clever link up play from the mids and forwards found Swindell unmarked in the D where she yet again buried the ball in the back of the net to double the lead. Spencer couldn’t cope and struggled to get any play out of their half leaving keeper Eve getting cold in her goal. Luckily half time was up and she could at least have a jog over to the dugout for the team talk.
A dominant showing was heavily praised by Herbie in the huddle and more of the same was the task for the second half. Spencer had not given up and came out fighting after their own team talk. Pressure mounted in the Surbiton half and Spencer were getting a head of steam. Surbiton absorbed this pressure well and as each chance went begging for Spencer, Surbiton went back on the front foot.
The crowd were begging for more goals and Surbiton was playing plenty of good hockey, moving the ball confidently and communicating well to make it really difficult for Spencer to create any momentum. The pace of play was kept high and there was a smattering of shots on target and short corners for Surbiton but the game ended and the score remained 2-0.
A commanding team performance, but for a slow start to the second half, that everyone could be proud of. POM to Evie for ‘a masterclass at how to play halfback’. DOD to Carole for r̶e̶t̶u̶r̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶h̶o̶c̶k̶ey having her skirt inside out.