England: England Hockey League 2023/24 Premier Division Weekend 7 Preview

Points will be precious this weekend when the Men’s Premier Division resumes after a frantic double header last time out.

Old Georgians and Surbiton, who scored 36 goals between them in four games, look set for a Top 6 berth with four matches left in Phase 1, while matters still have to be settled further down the league.

Oxted (ninth) host Beeston (seventh) at Caterham School (4:30pm) with both sides intent on coming away with three points to boost their chances of a Top 6 place in February.

Oxted have won their last three meetings against the Nottingham outfit, which included a 2-1 victory at home on the opening day of last season.

East Grinstead, one place behind Beeston in eighth after two wins in their last three, venture on the road to Reading for an evening push back (6:30pm).

East Grinstead’s last win at Reading came via a 3-1 success in November 2019 before the latter’s demotion to Division One.

At the top, it’s first against fourth when leaders Old Georgians host Hampstead & Westminster (4:30pm).

Sam Ward will look to add to his 14-goal haul in just seven matches, while H&W will again by relying on the penalty corner power of Matt Guise-Brown, who has seven for the season so far.

Hampstead were the only team to avoid defeat against Old Georgians last season when they drew 2-2 away last October.

Meanwhile, Surbiton head to Cardiff & Met for a first National League meeting (6pm). Last weekend saw Cardiff lose 9-1 at home to Old Georgians and Surbiton winning by the same scoreline at Beeston.

Holcombe, enjoying a fine start to the season with five from seven, head on the road to take on University of Nottingham (6:30pm), still looking for their first points of the season.

The two sides met just once last season in Phase One, when four goals from Nick Bandurak led Holcome to a 6-3 win at home.

Wimbledon host Southgate (4:30pm) with the visitors on song after a six-point double header success last weekend.

These two sides last met in the Premier Division nine years ago when Wimbledon ran out 4-1 winners at home.

Champions East Grinstead head to Reading on Saturday (4:30pm) looking to shrug rival teams off their shoulders as a place in the Top 6 continues apace this weekend.

With four matches left to play in Phase 1 and just three points separating sixth (East Grinstead) from 10th, there is still much to play for ahead of the outdoor winter break.

Reading have never beaten East Grinstead (who have won four from five) in the Premier Division, while the West Sussex side came away from Sonning Lane with a 2-1 last November in their only meeting last season.

Beeston, who stopped a run of five defeats in a row with their draw against Bowdon last weekend, travel to Surbiton (3pm).

Surbiton beat Beeston twice last season while James Sordillo’s side haven’t beaten the Londoners in nearly five years in the top flight.

Bowdon, who have drawn their last three, and Clifton Robinsons were the only unbeaten sides in the Premier Division before the Bristolians’ recent defeats. 

The Robbies head to Manchester for their first meeting (1:15pm) against Bowdon in the league since the 2019-20 season.

University of Nottingham have enjoyed a fine start to the season and head the student teams in the top flight with their current league position of fifth – and Jordan Homann joint top scorer in the league with her six strikes.

They host Isca & University of Exeter on Saturday (4:30pm) with the UoN unbeaten in four, winning three, and looking to maintain their form against a side which has failed to score in five of their seven matches.

Hampstead & Westminster, who reached last season’s Finals Weekend, have had an indifferent start to the season and currently languish in eighth after two victories.

They face a trip to second from bottom Loughborough Students (2pm) with form on their side. H&W won their last meeting at Loughborough two years ago, while the students’ only win came in October 2020.

Wimbledon lie one place above in seventh and host University of Birmingham (2pm) in a rare meeting.

The two sides have only met twice in the league, both matches drawn.

*All stats provided by Colin Pike