Slough head to Copper Box for national finals

For the fifth time in eight seasons Slough women’s 1sts have qualified for the England Hockey National Indoor finals at the Copper Box in London on Sunday (January 30).

The Pink & Blacks are set to take on East Grinstead in the first semi-final from 10.30am followed by Repton against current holders Buckingham in the second semi from 11.45am. The winners will then meet in the final.

Slough had to see off some tough competition to reach the indoor finals, grinding out a fourth-placed finish in qualifying over two exhausting weekends to reach hockey’s ‘Big Day Out’. In these matches they managed to draw against both East Grinstead and Buckingham and only narrowly lost to Repton, so hopes are high going into the weekend.

Women’s 1sts coach Kali Takher said: "This is the fifth time in 8 seasons that we have managed to achieve this level of success at indoor. The consistency is what gives me confidence that we could go all the way as we did in 2017 to qualify for the European Cup which would be a huge achievement for the club and Slough.

"Our defensive record has been brilliant as we've conceded few goals to date, but we need to improve at the other end of the pitch. Scoring goals from open play and capitalising on short corners are going to be key and I felt they were our weakest area at the tournament, so we will be working on this.

“From a personal point of view, I'd like to say a special thank you to Kat (Mcgonigle) our captain who has not only organised us all but has also led by example on the pitch. She has played outstandingly well in this tournament, and I've likened her to a fine wine - only getting better with age.

"It would be a dream come true for us all to win on finals night - not only for us individually but for all our club members, volunteers and sponsors who put so much time and effort to make the club what it is.” Slough have won the indoor title a record 14 times, last lifting the trophy in 2016/17.

Tickets are available to purchase at https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/competitions-and-events/2022super-6s-finals-day