Narrow defeat for Ladies

Hockey
by Mike Haymonds

Investec EHL Premier
Reading 1 Slough 0

SLOUGH Ladies came off second best in their Berkshire derby with Reading who won with a penalty corner goal after a game which never reached the heights.
Slough, sponsored by The Hub Entertainment, had the advantage of Ashleigh Ball’s return after a post-European Championship break while Reading were still without their England international quartet.
Slough coach Royce Waters was encouraged by his team’s performance: “It was an improvement on last week’s game.
“We are creating chances but were guilty of misses, particularly in the first half.
“Still, we are going the right way forwards,” he said.
He picked out goalkeeper Kate Filochowski for praise after she gave a solid display on a rare appearance.
Reading were unsuccessful at two early corners before Alex Scott struck a post midway through the half – the closest Slough came to scoring all game.
Ball had a chance but her reverse-stick effort was kicked clear by former Slough keeper Sarah Ellis.
Having looked the better side, Slough then lost their momentum as cards were shown to Hannah Coulson and Natalie Bell (both green ) and Harriet Cunningham (yellow).
Four minutes after the interval Slough won their only penalty corner but Hannah Bowe’s flick lacked power and was palmed away by Ellis.
Reading were denied at two corners but a third on 60 minutes brought the winner when Becky Halle’s deflection beat Filochowski.
Two half-chances for Slough went begging when a Ball effort was smothered and, from a cross by Louise Bevan, Lauren Penny was unable to get in a clear shot from a goalmouth melee.
SLOUGH: Filochowski;, Mcgonigle, Harte, Coulson, Bowe, Scott, Cunningham, Bell, Bevan, Penny, Ilkei, Ball, Daniels.

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Slough travel to Canterbury tomorrow (Saturday) with the Kent club lying in seventh place, one behind Slough, after both teams registered a win and a loss to date.
In the last two seasons Slough have won three and drawn one of the league meetings between the two clubs although Canterbury had the more successful latest season, finishing second but falling at the first hurdle in the play-offs.
Slough hope that European bronze medallist Nicola White will play her first game after a voluntary break.
Jo Bryant, previously with Canterbury and Trojans, is expected to make her Slough debut.
Sophie Daniels has left for Loughborough University.

ends