Slough lose to high flying Leicester

by Mike Haymonds 13 Nov 2009

EHL Premier
Leicester 2 Slough 0

SLOUGH Ladies suffered their second defeat of the season at the hands of league leaders Leicester who maintained their 100 per cent record.

The defeat dropped Slough a place to fourth but they will be encouraged that they held their own against the strongest Premier team and, after a defensive error led to Leicester’s first goal, all bar one of the hosts’ penalty corners were successfully defended until five minutes before the end.

Slough adapted well to a new 4-4-2 formation but, without veteran striker Jane Smith, they lacked a real cutting edge and won only one corner.

Slough skipper Fiona Greenham said: “It was disappointing to lose after playing well.

“They edged it deservedly as they created more chances."

“But it’s encouraging that, when we get our missing players back, we will be competitive.”

In a physical game the first half was evenly contested and goalless.

Although Slough made a strong start to the second half it was Leicester who broke the deadlock three minutes after the interval when GB Olympian Crista Cullen smashed a ball upfield from a deep position.

Two Slough defenders were slow to realise the danger from England striker Katie Long, who took her chance clinically when the ball fell to her.

All the game’s penalty corners came in the second period with Cullen finally converting the last of Leicester’s five drag-flicks in the 65th minute.

Slough’s only corner near the end saw Chloe Strong’s strike fly wide.

SLOUGH: Duggan; Nicholson, Strong, Coulson, Bell; Bevan, Greenham, Ball, Scott; White, Penny. Subs: Lubbock, Shanahan. Not used: Filochowski (gk).

Copy supplied to Slough Express & Slough Observer 13/11/09