By Lucas Ball
Holcombe are looking to return to winning ways against Wimbledon 2s at Raynes Park High School on Saturday afternoon (2:30pm) in the Vitality Division One South.
Nick Bandurak’s side, coached this weekend by Hayden Phillips, saw their unbeaten run come to an end away to Barnes last time out, the Dukes Meadow side running out 5-2 winners.
This match marks Holcombe’s penultimate league fixture before Christmas, with a home game to come next weekend against Southgate ahead of a cup quarter-final clash against Wimbledon 2s, making it two games out of three against the Londoners.
Holcs remain the top-scorers in the division with 28 goals in just eight matches, but sit third heading into this one following last weekend’s defeat, three points behind Barnes and eight off leaders Surbiton 2s, the only side with a 100% record as the Christmas break nears.
Bandurak’s side now have the highest goals against tally in the top-five, though both Wimbledon’s offensive and defensive records are worse than their visitors heading into this weekend.
The hosts have won just two of their eight matches this season – one against bottom side Harleston Magpies and the other against fifth-placed Sevenoaks last time out.
They are the top-scorers outside of the top-three but their defensive record is the joint-worst in the entire division, alongside Harleston.
Holcombe met Wimbledon’s first-team once last season, the Londoners running out 3-0 winners at Holcombe Park in Phase One of the Vitality Premier Division.
The visitors are without top-scorer Deanna Ritchie and England under-21 international Lottie Bingham for the match.
Image: Becci Woodhead