Wimbledon men’s hockey club are gearing up for the biggest match in their history, according to player-coach Ben Marsden.

With the Dons beating Richmond 5-3 in the MHL Conference East last weekend, and league leaders Holcombe thrashing Cambridge 6-1, the Dons and Holcombe remain three points apart.

The two giants meet on Saturday at  Kings College School and, although Marsden insists the game is not make or break for the season, the fact only the top team goes through to the national play-offs for the Premier Division gives it added significance.

Marsden said: “There is still a lot of hockey to be played, but this game is the difference between going to the top of the table, or being six points behind.

“We’ve never been to the Premier Division and we’ve never been in a situation where we could be top at this stage of the season.

“It is probably the biggest game we’re ever played.”

Should Wimbledon finish top, they enter a four-team play-off with the bottom two of the Premier Division and the winner of the Conference West.

Marsden said: “To be in with a shout of the play-offs is something special.
“It is brutal that only one team goes forward, but that is the game we play.

“History is on our side in terms of the play-offs, as,  historically, the winner of the Conference East prevails because our league is by far the strongest.”

Wimbledon will be without the suspended Johnnie Kinder, and the injured Alex Collins (back) and Ken Twomey  (knee).