Southgate Hockey Club is delighted to be hosting the Division One South fixture between two old adversaries as Reading W2 travel to Trent Park for the headline game of the day. Reading coach Ryan Croxon and his players will be making their way up the M4 corridor hoping to continue some sold form which sees them perch just outside the top 3 in the competitive division table.
Ellie Robinson and her Southgate players faced a tough start to 2026 with results not quite falling their way in the opening salvos. Points were felt to have been left behind at Sevenoaks and at home to Guildford followed by a punishing afternoon at Holcombe Park which left the side feeling exposed towards the bottom of the league. Yet after the 3-0 home win to Harleston Magpies, Ronan Casella and his Southgate squad will be hoping to ride the momentum of 6 points from 2 games and (other results dependent) could with a win ot home against Reading catapult their way to 7th and with that confidently look to hold onto their league status for next season. Last weekend Southgate put 4 past the top side in the league with Emma Mcintyre celebrating her return to the side post injury with a brace of goals- she will be hoping for more where they came from on Saturday afternoon.
With just 3 games left in the season the stage is set for a big game of hockey with both teams pulling out headline performances last Saturday against the two top sides in the league. Reading meanwhile also pulled off a fine 2-0 win against 2nd placed University of Exeter and for Reading coach Ryan Croxon and his players a win today could see them leapfrog Holcombe into 3rd and close in on a 2nd place finish- should Exeter stumble again.
In short, much rides on this game for both sides – and with the away leg played on the 8th November ending in a 0-0 stalemate- all results are on the cards come PB at 15:30.