CANTERBURY LADIES:

PLUMB’S MOMENT OF MAGIC ENOUGH TO SECURE IMPORTANT THREE POINTS

Aimee Plumb’s brilliant solo goal proved enough to give Canterbury Ladies a vital 1-0 victory against Slough in their last game before the mid-season break.

The game at Polo Farm was five minutes into the second half when the teenager broke from her own half before firing home.

The win, Canterbury’s third of the campaign, lifted them above their former Premier Division rivals and up to sixth in Division 1 South. Canterbury dominated early on, playing at a high tempo, but only had a couple of penalty corners to show for all their good play.

Play was more balanced in the second quarter with Canterbury lacking quality with their final pass while at the other end Helen Fagg kept Slough at bay.

Slough won a number of penalty corners at the start of the second half but Canterbury’s defence stood firm and in the 40th minute player-ofthe-match Plumb picked up a quick ball out of defence and ran 65 yards through the heart of the Slough team before hitting a fierce shot into the bottom corner.

The visitors then threw everything at Canterbury, including going to a kicking back with five minutes to go, but the hosts held on.

Canterbury 2nds were left with a mountain to climb after conceding three early goals away to Conference East leaders Barnes. Ironically Canterbury played some of their best attacking hockey despite the onslaught and were unlucky not to convert one of their own chances. There was no further score before half-time but Barnes struck twice more soon after the restart and added another to complete the scoring. Lara Wilkinson scored the decisive goal as the 2As registered a 1-0 victory over Chelmsford, a side who had got the better of them 6-2 in the opening EHL Division 1 South match of the season.

For the first time this season the side produced sustained periods of possession and pressure which led to attack after attack. This was rewarded by a team goal at the start of the second half, with Yazmin Carney and forwards Gemma Luckhurst and Rebecca Ellis both involved before Wilkinson rounded the keeper.

Canterbury kept the pressure on throughout the second half but had to survive late pressure, during which Rebecca Mckinnon and her defensive team stood firm.

The 3rds drew 1-1 with Kent Division 1 rivals Burnt Ash 2nds, whose sustained early pressure led to a goal from a short corner. Canterbury did have a couple of chances from short corners, but both went wide.

Mel Lee and Katie Robbins worked as a pair to round the keeper and find the backboard.

The 3As twice came from behind to earn a point against Burnt Ash 3rds in Kent 2. Phoebe Neyton scored their first equaliser but just before half-time Ash restored their lead. Canterbury created a host of chances in the second half and were finally rewarded in the final minute when Charlotte Spight salvaged a draw.