By Lucas Ball
Holcombe are looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Women’s Premier Division as they travel to Bowdon on Saturday afternoon (13:30).
Nick Bandurak’s side kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 home win over Wimbledon, with goals coming from debutant Olivia Shannon and Emma Bandurak in the final quarter.
Bowdon were beaten 1-0 at the University of Nottingham last weekend meanwhile, leaving them ninth – six places behind Holcombe after match day one.
Shannon, along with fellow Kiwis Kaitlin Cotter and Tessa Reid, all put in impressive displays in their first Holcombe matches and will look to impress again – as will 15-year-old Evie Younger who put in a strong performance and also provided the assist for Shannon’s opener, which was fired powerfully past Great Britain goalkeeper Jess Buchanan.
The two sides last met in February 2020, with Holcs running out 3-0 winners at Bowdon Club.
Last season, Bowdon finished sixth after Phase Two of the Premier Division before finishing fourth in Pool B in Phase Three, below East Grinstead, Wimbledon and Reading.
Bandurak has made just one change to his side from last weekend, adding Charlotte Daly to the squad that beat Wimbledon superbly at Holcombe Park.
Premier Division fixtures:
12:00 – Sutton Coldfield vs. East Grinstead
12:30 – Reading vs. Clifton Robinsons
13:30 – Bowdon vs. Holcombe
13:30 – Wimbledon vs. Loughborough Students
15:00 – Surbiton vs. University of Nottingham
16:00 – Hampstead & Westminster vs. University of Birmingham
Image: Jon Goodall