Holcombe are hoping that new additions can prove the difference as Brad Read’s side welcome Loughborough Students to Holcombe Park at 4pm in a crucial Premier Division Phase One clash.
Holcs announced the signings of Mayra Lacheno, Milagros Arteta and Candelaria Paroli on Friday ahead of this match – Lacheno is a Mexican international, Arteta has competed in the Youth Olympic Games for Argentina and Paroli has had an array of success with La Salle and Cordoba in Argentina.
Also hoping to impress is Mads Newitt, a summer addition who scored her first Holcombe goal with a powerful backhand effort against champions Surbiton last time out.
A win for either side could have a significant impact on the table, with just four points separating Wimbledon in sixth and Loughborough Students in 11th – Holcombe sit 10th, a point above Saturday’s visitors.
Holcombe’s next two matches come against sides currently in ninth and eighth respectively so Phase One is entering its crunch point as teams battle for, realistically, the last two Top Six spots – Reading and Hampstead & Westminster’s are already secured while East Grinstead and Surbiton look nailed on for a top-half berth.
The two sides met three times the last time they were in the same division (2022/23) – Loughborough won 2-1 at Holcombe Park in Phase One before Holcs won 2-0 away in Phase Two and then reversed the scoreline of the first meeting in Phase Three at home.
That 2-0 win was Tilly Woodhead’s Premier Division debut, so Holcs’ number one will have fond memories of playing against this particular opposition.
Loughborough’s sole win so far came against bottom of the table Sutton Coldfield while they have drawn against Wimbledon, University of Nottingham and East Grinstead.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, table-toppers Reading visit University of Nottingham looking to maintain their unbeaten record (eight games, six wins, two draws) and second-placed Hampstead & Westminster host Sutton Coldfield as they aim to keep up the pressure on Reading at the top.
East Grinstead, third, host fifth-placed University of Birmingham – a win for the Sussex side would secure a Top Six spot for Phase Two while Surbiton, just a point and a place behind East Grinstead, could also wrap up their spot if they win at Bowdon.
Wimbledon host Clifton Robinsons, too, with both sides looking to keep their Top Six chances alive.
Entry is free at Holcombe Park for both double-header matches (16:00 – Holcombe Women vs. Loughborough Students; 18:30 – Holcombe Men vs. Oxted) and both will also be streamed on YouTube.
Women’s 1s vs. Loughborough Students
Image: Andy Smith