Beeston Ladies 1st XI travel to Premier Division rivals and reigning champions Surbiton on Saturday 12th February as they look to continue their Top six campaign.
With the league splitting at Christmas, Beeston have qualified for the top six where they will compete for the league championship and a place in European competition.
Off the back of a frustrating loss to current league leaders East Grinstead, the Nottingham side will travel with confidence knowing how close they came to an upset last weekend.
Surbiton, who host an array of international stars, will be hoping to keep up their challenge on the top of the league after a comfortable 3-1 win over Bristol based Clifton Robinsons last weekend.
Bees skipper Lauren Burrell stated “It’s always a competitive game, and it’s a game we are excited to play in as a team. Surbiton have a good team with plenty of international players so it’s always nice to test yourself against these sides.”
“We have grown as a team this season, showcasing what we can do as individuals and collectively as a group against top opposition, and finishing in the top 6 really highlights how far we have come as a group. Last weekend we displayed a really strong team performance but didn’t quite get the result we wanted or deserved, so it’s a great opportunity for us to build on last weeks game and push on to secure points this weekend and finish as high up the table as possible.”
Beeston Head Coach James Sordillo said ahead of the game, “Surbiton are a top side and we know what to expect. They will be really well organised, play with a lot of intensity and a high level of skill and we will have to match and better them to get something from the game.
“We go in knowing where we need to improve after last week and the game could come down to small details”
The fixture sees Beeston travel to Surbiton for the second time this season after visiting in the second week of the season where they lost 2-0.
Beeston will be hoping to welcome back several players who sat out last week’s fixture due to injury. Ella Cusack and Cerys Miller may be back in the squad, whilst Welsh international Sophie Robinson could make it but is still an injury doubt. Skilful midfielder Nic Moss along with forwards Caro Hulme and Sophie Edington will miss out through injury.
On the squads current injuries problems Sordillo commented, “It’s been a tough few weeks but we are coming out the other side of it. We are waiting on the severity of a few injuries, but the bulk of the squad is back or returning in the next few weeks.”
Beeston play Surbiton at Sugden Road on Saturday 12th February, 13:00 push back.
*Main image @asandysmith Beeston were beaten at home to East Grinstead last weekend.
