Last minute strike dashes Slough's hopes.....

by Mike Haymonds

A LAST-MINUTE strike by veteran ex-international Tina Cullen ended Slough Ladies’ hopes of retaining their national outdoor title as they were beaten 2-1 by Bowdon Hightown at the first stage of the championship play-offs.
Cullen proved Slough’s nemesis – as she has frequently in the past – having earlier given her side an equaliser soon after half time.
In an opening half of attacking hockey by both sides Bowdon had more possession while Slough had chances from more circle incursions.
Slough went ahead in the 16th minute when skipper Chloe Strong (returning from injury) and Harriet Cunningham combined down the right before a cross was volleyed home by Lauren Penny.
After the interval Bowdon’s early pressing was rewarded in the 39th minute when Cullen squeezed a penalty corner rebound past Fiona Greenham on the line.
As Bowdon continued to enjoy the greater possession Slough’s counter-attacking brought chances for Ashleigh Ball and Sam Archer which were just off target.
Bowdon’s winner started with an aerial ball from Sally Walton which eluded two Slough defenders and was seized on by Cullen whose reverse-stick shot beat Slough keeper Becky Duggan.
SLOUGH: Duggan, Strong, Nicholson, Coulson, Bowe, Cunningham, Greenham, Bell, Bevan, Penny, Ball. Subs: Archer, Shanahan, Ilkei. (not used): Filochowski.

Although their domestic season is over Slough will now prepare for another European venture over Easter when they compete in the Champions Cup in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in Holland.