Beeston ladies 1sts host a star-studded Hampstead and Westminster in the latest Premier Division clash for the Nottingham side.

Hampstead and Westminster will arrive at Nottingham Hockey Centre on Saturday 26th for the top six clash hoping to keep up their challenge for the title, but know they are facing a strong Beeston side.

When the sides met earlier in the season it took a well worked penalty scorer late on in the game for Londoners to overcome a Beeston side that was depleted through injury.

Beeston have had a mixed start to the second half of the season well picking up four points from three games, with their one loss coming in controversial fashion against East Grinstead.

Hampstead, coaches by Great Britain’s Olympic Gold Medal winning captain Kate Richardson-Walsh, started the season in impressive form and for a while looked like they would be the runaway leaders in the league. However, recent slip ups before Christmas and after the restart have seen the London side be caught and overtaken by their rivals.

Having failed to win since the restart after Christmas, Hampstead and Westminster know that they can’t settle for anything less than a win to keep their title hopes alive.

Beeston Head Coach James Sordillo commented, “Hampstead are a really good side. They have lots of different threats and it is something we will need to be aware of. They are more than just big names, they are a well organised, well coached and disciplined team.

But we know we have the ability to beat Hampstead. We’re not turning up for this to be a procession for the top four sides, we are here to challenge. It should be a great game”

On the restart to the season and injury concerns Sordillo continued “We have had some positive performances but there is still room to grow. We will look internally at where we think we can make gains, apply ourselves and see what we can do on Saturday.

We are still struggling to get everyone fit but we are getting closer. There is no doubt rushing back from the indoor season to the outdoor season hasn’t helped and it is something the league needs to look at. Teams don’t have time to prepare, and player welfare is being risked by rushing back”

The sides will push back at 2pm at Nottingham Hockey Centre and entry to the fixture is free.

*Main image @asandysmith Alice Huddlestone in action against Hampstead & Westminster last year.