A National League Hockey Club, part of Holcombeians Sports Club

Match preview – Barnes vs. W1s (Vitality Division One South, 18th November, 2023)

By Lucas Ball

Holcombe are looking for back-to-back wins as they travel to Dukes Meadow to face Barnes on Saturday (12pm).

Nick Bandurak’s side boosted their goal difference with a dominant 7-1 victory over Kent rivals Canterbury last time out to make it five wins in their last six in all competitions.

Holcombe currently sit second in the Vitality Division One South table, only ahead of Barnes on goal difference. Both sides sit five points leaders Surbiton 2s, the only side with a 100% record – though they cannot be promoted to the Vitality Premier Division.

Deanna Ritchie made it 10 goals in five matches with another brace against Canterbury, with Leisa Randall also adding two goals for her first league strikes of the season.

Catherine Ledesma and Lottie Bingham were also on the scoresheet while Jade van der Zwan made it two in two with a deflection from a penalty corner.

Barnes, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last four matches since a 3-0 home defeat to Slough at the start of October. Three wins and a draw have followed – the victories coming against Harleston Magpies (H, 2-1), Southgate (A, 2-1) and Sevenoaks (H, 4-1) and the draw against Canterbury (A, 1-1).

The visitors are the top scorers in the division with 26 in just seven games, averaging almost four per game following Saturday’s win. Next up are Surbiton, who have 24 in the same amount of fixtures. Ritchie remains the top-scorer with nine in the league while Emma Bandurak has five in the league.

They also boast the second-best defensive record having conceded 10, four more than Surbiton 2s. 

The hosts have scored 16 and conceded 11, ranking third for both goals for and goals against as the season approaches the halfway mark.

Live updates will be provided on our social media channels.

Image: Becci Woodhead