Spectators were treated to two high powered and closely
fought matches in the Maxinutrition Indoor Championships Semi Finals at
Kettering this evening.
The first Semi-Final saw Canterbury take an early lead, with
Nikki Kidd and Anna Baker giving their side a 0-2 advantage. But their opponents, Bowdon Hightown, were
soon back in the match with goals from Sally Walton, former Canterbury player
Susannah Townsend, and Tina Cullen.
Ten minutes into the second half Bowdon increased their lead
to 4-2 when Cullen scored her second. The sides drew level after Mel Clewlow
and Grace Balsdon found the net for Canterbury, only to see Bowdon Hightown
re-take the lead from the penalty spot – Sally Walton the scorer. But the game
was not yet over and Kidd scored her second to bring the score to 5-5 just
before the hooter sounded.
The one-on-one shoot out decider saw Nikki KIdd score for
Canterbury and Tina Cullen score for Bowdon.
When Jen Wilson was unsuccessful it was only necessary for captain Fay
Nash to get the ball into the net to give Bowdon Hightown a place in the Final
at Wembley next month.
The second Semi-Final saw Reading take a 0-3 lead over Slough,
with goals from Helen Richardson-Walsh and Alex Danson (2). A penalty corner
conversion just before half time saw Slough make some progress, but Reading
looked the bookies’ choice to win the match.
Midway through the second half Slough asserted themselves
with goals from Ashleigh Ball and Alex Scott, bringing the score to 3-3.
Shortly afterwards Ashleigh Ball had a conversation with umpire Cathy Jones
which had her seeing yellow and during power play, and in the final minute of
the match, Reading’s Alex Danson scored her third to give her side a 3-4 win
and a place in the Finals.
Women’s indoor hockey has sometimes been accused of being
boring, but this is the second semi-finals night at Kettering which have
produced some excellent hockey. Let’s
hope that both sides can repeat their performances in the Finals in a few weeks
time.
PICTURES FROM KETTERING WILL APPEAR SOON ON OUR SISTER SITE
AT; www.HockeyImages.co.uk.
