W1 To Face Wimbledon in League Final On Sunday

Surbiton Women will face Wimbledon in Sunday's final of the Premier Division Finals presented by Ranmore Fund Management at 1530 on Sunday.

Surbiton beat Durham University 3-0 in the second semi-final after Wimbledon defeated Hampstead & Westminster 2-0 to set up the fourth meeting of the season including two quality goalkeepers, Wimbledon's Jess Buchanan, who kept her tenth clean sheet of the season and Surbiton's Ayeisha McFerran, who notched her eighth clean sheet of the campaign in the semi-finals.

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The Surbiton v Durham match starts around the 2 hours and 21 minutes mark.

Durham, who have surpassed expectations in reaching the Premier Division Finals in their maiden season in the top-flight, had nothing to lose and received excellent vocal support from their loyal followers who made the long trip down from County Durham.

Rebecca Birch defended Martha Taylor's early attack and Evelyn Wilson intercepted Alice Sharp's pass as Surbiton tried to make an early breakthrough.

Surbiton had two opportunities to convert penalty corners in the twelfth minute, but Durham's Ffion Horrell saved Amy Costello's shot forcing the second award before Costello fired past the left post.

A minute later, Surbiton attacked down the left, Maddie Axford opening the score from the left of the circle with a firm shot into the net to the delight of the home supporters.

Darcy Bourne had a shot over the crossbar, a shot past the right post and forced a save from Horrell in a frenetic five minute period which also saw Taylor go on a run towards the end of the first thirty minute half.

Both previous meetings this season had been decided by a single goal margin in Surbiton's favour, Durham having led 2-0 at home before Surbiton recovered to win 3-2 and then Surbiton leading 2-0 before Durham replied in the return before Surbiton won 2-1 in Elmbridge.

A single goal lead was never likely to be enough and after a Horrell save in the 37th minute, Georgie Gardens' shot towards goal was deftly deflected past the Durham goalkeeper by Bourne to give Surbiton an insurance goal and earn the Division's leading goalscorer her 19th goal of the season.

Costello had started the comeback at Durham in November and she scored Surbiton's third goal in May in the 52nd minute, to claim her eleventh goal of the campaign.

Although Durham lost, they can be proud of their first season in the Premier Division and will meet Hampstead for the fourth time this season, the three previous meetings all having been held at Paddington Recreation Ground where Hampstead won 4-1 in October and then met in successive weeks in April, Hampstead winning 3-2 in Phase 2 and 4-2 in the Premier Division Finals pool match.

Surbiton drew 0-0 with Wimbledon in November, won 1-0 at Raynes Park High School on 11 April and then won 4-0 at Sugden Road last Saturday and will be anxious to avoid a repeat of last season when they beat Reading 3-0 a week before the finals weekend at Sugden Road and then lost out to Emma Findlay's worldie goal as Reading won the final 1-0.

Becky Manton scored both goals as Wimbledon beat Hampstead 2-0 to reach the final for the first time in their history. Manton has now scored six goals for Wimbledon this season.

In the Women's relegation playoffs, both relegated clubs ended their Premier Division campaign with away wins. 

Clifton Robinsons won 5-3 at the University of Nottingham. Eloise Moat and Evie Grindal both scored twice with Victoria McCabe scoring in between. Monica Watkins also scored a brace for Nottingham after Sienna Dunn gave the hosts the lead, with Grindal's double being decisive as the score was 3-3 with seven minutes remaining.

Barnes ended their first ever season in the Premier Division with a 4-2 win at Bowdon. Annabel Mills put Bowdon ahead, but Barnes stormed back to lead 3-1 with goals from Megan Lewis-Williams, Claudia Swain and Isabella da Rocha. Hannah Grieve gave Bowdon hope with a goal five minutes from time, but Aleesa Ferguson ended Bowdon's hopes of a comeback with a goal in the penultimate minute.