Wimbledon hockey club ladies coach Ben Marsden has got completely given up on the WHL Conference East title, but he admitted they have smaller goals to attain.

After the opening two games of the season’s resumption – which both ended in wins – Wimbledon sit fifth in the table.

Saturday’s 7-1 demolition of bottom club Ipswich featured a Libby Sherriff hat-trick, plus goals from Meg Douthwaite (two), Catherine Ledesma and Lizzie Rae.

However, there are two names not on the scoresheet who Marsden believes have had a great bearing on the recent good form.

VIDEO & PICTURE GALLERY: Gregg's goal moment for Wimbledon Hockey Club caught on camera

He said: “We have been joined by Lou Gordon and Cherry Seaborn - Cherry played largely in America as a midfielder cum striker, and she has brought a wealth of talent to that area.

“Lou is a former Scottish international, with more than 50 caps at full back, and her experience has proved invaluable.

“A combination of those two players, and having a strong start to the season in terms of fitness, mean we’re in a good place take on the second half of the season.”

Despite their 10 goals in two games, including a 3-1 win over Chelmsford on Fenruary 6, Marsden added: “We’ve just got to work out how we’re going to score goals, and giving them the confidence to commit numbers forward at the right time.”

Slough top the table, nine points clear of Cambridge City in second and 12 points clear of Wimbledon, with five games to go – starting for the Dons at Cambridge this weekend.

Marsden said: “We will be hard pushed to catch Slough because they are so far ahead, but we’d like to get a top three finish, we feel we’re at that standard.

“We want to take some good momentum into the summer and then have a shot at promotion next season.”