HARWICH and Dovercourt Hockey Club captain Sophie Southgate has reflected on a “perfect” season after watching her side seal title glory.

The Low Road team cemented top spot in the Suffolk Ladies’ League courtesy of last week’s 12-0 thumping of Felixstowe.

They have an unblemished record of 14 wins from 14 games and, in the process, have plundered a staggering 113 goals.

Now they have four games left to maintain their free-scoring ways and protect their proud unbeaten record.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and I’m very proud of the team,” said Southgate.

“We’ve scored 113 goals and (keeper) Miah Reynolds has only conceded five, which has included a couple of well-taken penalty flicks. This, I believe, is a record both for the club and the Suffolk League.

“Not only are we league winners but we also have three players hoping to be the top three scorers in the league (Rachel Griffin has 29 goals, Southgate 28 and Sophie Berryman 21).

“Miah is hoping to secure the best goalkeeper award, for conceding the least amount of goals, and we’d like to create a further record for the most goals scored in a season.

“Having an unbeaten record would also be a bonus, so there’s still plenty to play for in our remaining four games.”

Southgate says the team have “gelled over the years” and hailed the players’ commitment, fitness and skill levels.

She says one of their main strengths, without question, is their firepower.

“Rachel is currently contending for top league scorer, while Sophie (Berryman) has to be one of the best midfielders in the league,” said the Harwich and Dovercourt High School PE teacher. “Our team strength is when Emma Joslin, Fiona Wynn, Nikki Kudela and myself, combined with Griffin and Berryman, go on the attack.

“Caz Greenall is our spine and holds the team together, with Tracey Eagle, veteran Donna Garland and Chelsea Dingwell holding the defence, with Miah in goal.

“I’ve been part of the club for many years and this league has always been a good standard.

“However, this season all the girls have been committed to their game, which has been so important to our success.

“We’ve gelled over the years, understand how each other plays and can predict our movements.

“We’ve been plagued with injuries and pregnancies over the years but this year has just worked out perfectly.

“It’s difficult to say if this team is the best we’ve ever had.

“Hockey is always evolving and the game has changed so much.

“The girls are extremely fit and their skill level is still developing but we continue to work on our tactics and our short-corner routines have really started to work for us this year, contributing to our success.”

Harwich’s second team have also been a force this season.

They are top of Suffolk Ladies’ League division one, having won 13 of their 15 matches.

They have a tough game tomorrow against second-placed Ipswich and East Suffolk.

“If they win, the girls will put themselves in a very good position to give the club a double title,” added Southgate.

“It would be the cherry on the cake and make all the hard work worthwhile.

“In addition to the first team being committed to their game, we’ve been able to put a good second-team squad out all season - something we haven’t been in a position to do for many years.

“There have been weekends when we’ve called on the seconds for support and Lucy Henshall, Carolyn Rowland, Abbie Henshall and Gabrielle Williams have always stepped up to assist.

“As a club, we now have a strong squad of younger girls who will develop their hockey over the summer season, playing in the Ipswich Summer League.

“We will enter the summer league again as it’s provided vital game experience for the girls.”