With only six points on offer until the end of the season, it is surprising how many issues remain unresolved in the Investec Women's League.
The Premier Division is a good example of this, particularly after Slough won their first match of the season this afternoon. Playing fellow strugglers Olton and West Warwickshire, it was two Amys that gave Slough a small glimmer of hope of survival in the top division. Two first half goals from Amy Turnbull and a late second half goal from Amy Sheehan provided them a 1-3 win and a much needed three points. This theoretically means that they could still move out of the automatic relegation zone into the play- off spot. Olton, currently in that place, could move above Birmingham University, who lost 1-5 to Canterbury today. As we said, it's all still left to play for.
The top three in the Premiership kept up the charge, each winning their matches. Leicester beat Sutton Coldfield 7-2, Reading beat Bowdon Hightown 2-1, and (as already mentioned) leaders Canterbury stay four points ahead at the top of the table after their 1-5 win away at Birmingham University.
Surbiton, playing at home to Clifton, will be disappointed with this afternoon's result after Vicky Bryant gave them a 55th minute lead, only to see the match end at 3-3 after an own goal gifted their visitors a draw.
TalkHockeyRadio was at Sevenoaks in the East Conference, to see them play Ipswich. Sevenoaks, who have been in contention for the promotion play-off place for much of the season, have faded of late, and a late surge by Ipswich pushed them down to third last weekend. We must confess that we were rather disappointed with Ipswich, although Sevenoaks failed to capitalise on some of their opponents' weaknesses, and the final score was a relatively modest 2-1 to Sevenoaks. Both Sevenoaks' goals came from ex-England international Cathy Gilliat-Smith, demonstrating that she still knows how to score goals.
The result at Sevenoaks restores their second place in the table and Ipswich move down to third. Leaders, Harleston Magpies, stay in front by three points after a 2-0 win over Old Loughtonians. Theoretically, any one of Harleston Magpies, Sevenoaks and Ipswich, could qualify for the promotion play-off, but it practical terms it is a two horse race between Magpies and Sevenoaks.
At the bottom of the table, already relegated Bromley & Beckenham won their first match of the season, beating Oxford Hawks 2-0. Chelmsford will now have to play for Conference survival via the relegation play-offs, after losing 0-3 to Horsham.
After last weekend's surprise draw - the first points they had dropped all season - West Conference Buckingham decided to emphasise why they are leaders in this division, with an 8-0 demolition of bottom placed Taunton Vale. The Vale's fate is not yet sealed and they could still move above ninth placed Staines, who lost 0-6 at home to Isca University. There is a massive gap of 12 points between Staines and Barnes Hounslow Ealing, which means that the two bottom place sides cannot escape either automatic relegation or the relegation play-offs.
Beeston are de facto
North Conference Champions after a 4-0 win over Doncaster. University of Durham, who lost 0-1 to Bradford Wakefield, are six points behind, but Beeston's goal difference is +52 as opposed to the University's +26. But at the other end of the table there are four clubs separated by less than six points, Ben Rhydding, Doncaster, Liverpool Sefton and Cannock, so there is everything left to play for. All four lost this afternoon.
