Surbiton head coach Todd Williams is confident he has the strength in depth to ensure the club sustains its flying start to the new MHL Premier Division season.

Williams’ men beat Canterbury 5-4 in a thriller in Thames Ditton on Saturday, with Team GB Olympian Matt Daly netting four times to go with a William Marshall penalty corner.

Williams saw James Tindall quit the club to join Weybridge club Old Georgians, while James Gall also left to join Beeston.

A host of new names have pitched up at Sugden Road to replace them and have helped them to an unbeaten start to the campaign that has Surbiton second in the table on goal difference behind leaders East Grinstead.

“We’re played pretty well in one of two games, but we are still looking for a lot more,” said Australian coach Williams.

“This is a group that has a lot of new faces in it, which means we have a good base level of quality.

“We’ve depended the squad and we are stronger for it.

“With the inter changing you can do in the games that means we can keep the pressure on for longer.”

Team GB’s loss has been Surbiton’s gain as Daly took his season’s goal tally to 10 in six games.

The 31-year-old was cut from the Team GB squad after the 2012 Olympics in favour of younger players, but was the league’s leading scorer last season and tops the charts so far this term.

“Matt’s [drag flick] technique and disguise is so good. It's difficult for goalkeepers to know where it's going and his speed is as good as anybody,” added WIlliams.

“His body got a chance to repair after London 2012 and he is enjoying the game.”

Surbiton go to Brooklands Manchester University tomorrow.

* Captain Sarah Haycroft scored both goals as Surbiton beat Canterbury 2-1 on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of the WHL Premier Division to four points. Surbiton travel to second placed rivals Holcombe on Saturday.

*Five-time world hockey player of the year Jamie Dwyer will host an international masterclass coaching camp for 13 to 18-year-olds with Living Hockey  at Surbiton’s Sugden Road home on October 27.  To book a place visit livinghockey.org