Safety just one point away

Canterbury ladies

Helen Fagg says Canterbury can relax after Saturday’s vital 3-2 win at Manchester side Bowdon Hightown left them needing a point for safety with three games remaining. While the city club had not looked like being sucked into a relegation battle, Bowdon were just five points below them and in the final relegation place in Investec Premier Division ahead of the game. Co-captain Fagg said: “It was a massive three points and other results went our way too. We made a good start and played some good hockey but Bowdon pushed us and were aggressive in the second half. “They never give up and there were a few nervy moments but we managed to see it out.” The city club broke the deadlock inside five minutes when Hannah Griggs tapped in after a fine pass from Sarah Kerly. The hosts equalised soon after following a lapse in concentration in the D but Canterbury went back in front with a short corner strike through Mel Clewlow. After the break, Katie Williams netted her first goal for the 1st XI with a superb reverse-stick lob over the keeper from Tash Del Borrello’s cross. However, a tactical switch by the hosts saw them pile on the pressure and they were rewarded with a second goal after Canterbury failed to clear their lines. Despite a nervous finale, the city club clung on to claim victory and breathing space in the lower reaches of the table. Canterbury could relegate bottom-side Reading with a win on Saturday (4pm) and Fagg said: “We beat them last time and are playing better now.” The city club welcome back Grace Balsdon from England duty in South Africa, while Anna Kolarova returned to training after knee surgery this week, although could miss the final three games of the season. The 2nds won 1-0 at Chelmsford 2nds to remain in the East League Division 1 South promotion hunt. The first half was a real battle with Canterbury’s youngsters to the fore but despite both teams having good attacks, neither had anything to show from them despite good skill from Aimee Plumb. In defence, Lauren Martin put in a solid performance. After the break, the visitors produced some short, sharp hockey which led to the only goal. The 2As won 3-2 at Blackheath in Division 2 South East despite a slow start which saw them fall behind. The equaliser came from midfielder Nikki Triggs after a flowing team move and after the break, a long ball was collected by Katie Robbins who rounded the keeper and fired home from to make it 2-1. The visitors levelled soon after but Canterbury dominated from then on, with Lichfield and Milne rolling back the years and the decisive moment came when, after another good team move, Emily Nickson fired the ball home. The struggling 3rds lost 3-0 at Sevenoaks, who clinched the Kent League, Premier Division title. The hosts took a first-half lead and then added two more goals after the break, although they won more than 20 short corners and only dogged defending prevented them winning by more.

‘It was a massive three points and other results went our way too’