Lindum Hockey are preparing for their last game of the season, knowing a draw would be enough for them to secure a historic promotion.
If the Yellow Submarine avoid defeat against Wakefield Hockey, on Sunday, March 24, they will be the first Lincolnshire-based team to reach English hockey’s second-tier.
However, player-coach Matt Bell is not settling for a point, he said: “We’re not going into it for a point, but we know they won’t be a roll over. We never underestimate our own quality, but it’s a tough game.”
He added: “We keep speaking about getting the win, we know a point is enough, but we want to win. Our lads know what we’re capable of if we play as well as we can do.”
Lindum’s promotion last season ensured they became the first Lincolnshire club to complete in the England Hockey Conference North, the third-tier. So, another promotion would create more history.
Bell said it would be the proudest moment of his coaching career if Lindum get themselves over the win, adding that there will be celebrations to have if they achieve back-to-back league titles.
“The committee has been unbelievable in their support of the first team. We want to win it for our whole group,” he said.
The Lincoln-based club beat Brooklands MU away from home last weekend, with a sweeping 8-0 victory. Goals from Mikey Harris, Ben Read, Harry Antill, Willow Mandil, Matt Parker, James Niven and a Sam Dixon brace, led to the convincing three points.
“They started well, putting us under pressure. But, we were 1-0 up after the first-quarter. They went down to ten men in the second and then we took the game away from them,” Bell said.
If Lindum win on Sunday afternoon, they will round out a 100% home record this campaign. That being said, Bell retains that the main focus is on securing a league title.
League rivals Timperley and Doncaster, sitting second and third in the table respectively, could both put their hands on the championship. However, it remains in Lindum’s hands, as a point would guarantee promotion.