Slough Open Season with win

Hockey
by Mike Haymonds

Investec EHL Premier
Cannock 1 Slough 3

SLOUGH Ladies revealed a weapon in their armoury previously unseen and Hannah Bowe’s drag-flicks at penalty corners proved decisive as they opened their Investec Premier Division campaign with a 3-1 victory at Cannock.
The 24-year-old Irish international defender had previously scored only once for Slough – also against Cannock last season – but struck in each half before Alex Scott secured the win from the penalty spot.
Slough, sponsored by the Hub Entertainment, had not played since their last European sortie in June but they had the lion’s share of possession and created plenty of open play chances although their goals all came from set-pieces.
After Bowe opened the scoring in the 14th minute a lapse in concentration by the Slough defence on 28 minutes allowed Emma Pardo to finish an impressive build-up with a connection at the far post.
Bowe fired in a second eight minutes into the second half before Scott converted a penalty stroke three minutes later after she had her stick impeded following several dodgy tackles.
SLOUGH: Duggan, Mcgonigle, Harte, Coulson, Bowe, Scott, Cunningham, Bell, Bevan, Penny, Ilkei, Daniels.

rrr

Slough’s derby away to Reading has been switched to Sunday (12.30 pm) to create a Premier double header with Reading men’s game with Beeston.
Both teams made a winning start on Saturday with Reading beating the highly fancied Canterbury 2-0 and Slough winning 3-1 at Cannock.
History does not favour Slough who have not beaten Reading in the league since their Berkshire neighbours made their Premier debut two seasons ago.
An initial loss and a draw were followed by 4-1 and 2-1 defeats last season.
Both sides will be without their GB Olympic squad members who won European bronze medals last month – on enforced rest after a busy summer – with Reading hit the harder.
Their absentees are Kate Walsh, Helen Richardson, Alex Danson and Beth Storry while Slough are without Ashleigh Ball and Nicola White.
Slough will also be missing keeper Becky Duggan so Kate Filochowski will get a rare opportunity to deputise.