Level on points after just three games, Surbiton and East Grinstead are preparing to do battle on Saturday afternoon in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division.
The clash at Sugden Road is expected to draw another big crowd, which will only add to the atmosphere.
“It’s great to have so much interest, as our Gold medal-winning Olympians come back to the club,” said Surbiton’s assistant coach Niall Mutch.
“In terms of the match, East Grinstead are always a tough team to play – we drew with them down here last season.
“We’re level on points, but really we’re not fixated on the league table. That will take care of itself if we perform well. We have a strong and deep squad to call on, and we will try to keep things simple and take things one match at a time.”
Elsewhere, second-placed Holcombe are also eyeing the top of the table. Depending on the Surbiton versus East Grinstead result they could go top if they beat visitors Slough.
After suffering their first defeat last weekend, Clifton Robinsons are preparing to take on Bowdon Hightown as they bid to get back to winning ways.
The division’s top scorers so far with 12 goals in three games, the University of Birmingham are at home against Leicester who are yet to score.
And on Sunday Reading host Canterbury as they aim to secure their first points.
In the Investec Conference East, the only team with a 100 per cent record intact, Sevenoaks, entertain West Herts on Saturday. Harleston Magpies are also unbeaten – they go to St Albans this weekend.
Leaders Beeston will be aiming to make it four out of four in the Investec Conference North when Timperley come to Nottingham Hockey Centre, while the University of Durham – who are also unbeaten – go to Loughborough Students.
And two unbeaten teams face each other in the Investec Conference West, with leaders Olton and West Warwicks at home against third-placed Buckingham. Meanwhile, second-placed Trojans host Bristol Firebrands.
The photo above shows Surbiton’s Rebecca Middleton, who scored twice last weekend.
* You can see full details of all pre-season player movements here.
FIXTURES – Saturday, October 8
Investec Women’s Hockey League
Investec Premier Division
Univ of Birmingham v Leicester 12:30
Clifton Robinsons v Bowdon Hightown 13:00
Surbiton v East Grinstead 14:00
Holcombe v Slough 18:00
Investec Conference East
Cambridge City v Northampton Saints 12:30
St Albans v Harleston Magpies 13:00
Wimbledon v Chelmsford 14:00
Southgate v Hampstead and Westminster 14:00
Sevenoaks v West Herts 17:00
Investec Conference North
Loughborough Students v Univ of Durham 12:30
Ben Rhydding v Brooklands Poynton 13:30
Wakefield v Liverpool Sefton 13:30
Beeston v Timperley 14:00
Sutton Coldfield v Belper 14:00
Investec Conference West
Olton and West Warwicks v Buckingham 12:00
Stourport v Isca 12:00
Gloucester City v Oxford Hawks 12:30
Exe v Swansea City 13:00
Trojans v Bristol Firebrands 13:30
FIXTURES – Sunday, October 9
Investec Premier Division
Reading v Canterbury 12:30
Report has been courtesy of England Hockey by Snowdon Sports
