EHL Hockey League Week 17 2023 Matchday Review

As the Vitality Women's Hockey League season continued, Surbiton remained in pole position with a dominant 4-0 victory over the University of Birmingham at Sugden Road. Sophie Hamilton opened the scoring for Surbiton in the 18th minute, before Hannah Martin doubled their lead just three minutes later. Darcy Bourne added a third goal for Surbiton in the 40th minute, before Hannah Martin completed her brace with a goal in the 66th minute to seal a convincing win for the league leaders.

East Grinstead secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Beeston in a closely contested match at Saint Hill. Hannah Grieve got Beeston off to a good start with a goal from a penalty corner in the fifth minute, before Charlotte Watson doubled their lead just five minutes later. However, East Grinstead fought back and Sophie Bray scored in the 30th minute to get them back in the game. Alex Malzer then scored from a penalty corner in the 37th minute to equalize, before Tess Howard scored what turned out to be the winning goal in the 41st minute to secure the victory for East Grinstead.

Wimbledon secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over the University of Nottingham at Raynes Park. Megan Crowson opened the scoring for Wimbledon from a penalty stroke in the 27th minute, before the home side secured the win through an own goal from Nottingham in the second half.

Hampstead & Westminster suffered a 2-1 defeat to Clifton Robinsons at Paddington Recreation Ground. Grace Balsdon scored from a penalty stroke to give Hampstead & Westminster the lead in the 15th minute, but Livvy Hoskins scored from a penalty corner in the 51st minute to level the score. Eloise Laity then scored the winning goal for Clifton Robinsons in the 62nd minute to secure the victory.

Reading and Holcombe played out a 1-1 draw at Sonning Lane in a closely contested match. Hannah Cozens gave Reading the lead in the sixth minute, before Emma Bandurak equalized for Holcombe with a penalty corner goal in the 15th minute. Both sides had chances to win the game, but ultimately had to settle for a point each.

Loughborough Students secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Buckingham at Loughborough University. Lorna Mackenzie scored two penalty corner goals in the 16th and 59th minutes to give Loughborough Students the lead, before Lottie Porter scored a consolation goal for Buckingham in the 17th minute.

Old Georgians dominated the match against Beeston at St George's College, securing a comfortable 4-1 victory. James Tindall got Old Georgians off to a flying start by scoring in the third minute of the game. Sam Ward then scored a hat-trick of penalty corner goals in the 20th, 38th, and 59th minutes to put Old Georgians in complete control of the match. Beeston managed to get a consolation goal in the 64th minute through Olivier Ashdown, but it was too little too late to mount a comeback.

Wimbledon were in scintillating form against Reading at Raynes Park, securing a dominant 5-0 victory. Ed Horler opened the scoring for Wimbledon by converting a penalty stroke in the 18th minute, before scoring two penalty corner goals in the 22nd and 43rd minutes to complete his hat-trick. David Condon then scored in the 58th minute, before Jack Turner added a fifth goal for Wimbledon in the 66th minute to cap off an impressive performance. Reading struggled to create chances and were unable to keep up with Wimbledon's attacking prowess.

Holcombe welcomed Hampstead & Westminster to Holcombe Park and secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory. The match was evenly contested, with both teams creating several chances. Nick Bandurak scored the decisive goal for Holcombe in the 58th minute from a penalty corner, before Hampstead & Westminster pressed hard in the closing stages of the game but were unable to find an equalizer.

Surbiton continued their good form at Sugden Road, securing a narrow 3-2 victory over Oxted. David Goodfield opened the scoring for Surbiton in the 14th minute, before doubling the lead in the 25th minute. Alex Williams then extended Surbiton's lead with a well-placed shot in the 33rd minute. However, Oxted fought back and scored two quick goals through Bradley Sherwood in the 56th minute and Rob Mugridge in the 58th minute to make for a tense finish. Surbiton held on to secure the victory and continue their good form.

East Grinstead put on a dominant display against Brooklands Manchester U at Saint Hill, securing a convincing 5-0 victory. Fin Boothroyd opened the scoring for East Grinstead in the 22nd minute, before Charlie Taylor scored from a penalty corner just two minutes later in the 24th minute. Luke Mobley then added a third goal for East Grinstead in the 31st minute, before Charlie Taylor completed his brace with a goal in the 35th minute. Fin Boothroyd then added his second goal of the match in the 53rd minute to cap off a fine performance by East Grinstead, who were in control of the game from start to finish.

The University of Nottingham welcomed the University of Exeter to Nottingham Hockey Centre and secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory. Jacob Payton gave Exeter the lead in the 10th minute, but Nottingham responded quickly with goals from Charlie Axford in the 12th minute and Isaac Farrant in the 28th minute to take the lead. Edward Brice then scored in the 43rd minute to put Nottingham firmly in control of the game, before Wil Porter added a fourth goal for Nottingham in the 46th minute from a penalty corner. Billy Collins got a late consolation goal for Exeter in the 70th minute, but it was not enough to mount a comeback.