With one more weekend of play left in the Slazenger England Hockey League, more promotion and relegation issues have been decided today (Saturday). TalkHockeyRadio was at Eastleigh to see Trojans take the Women’s Division One title against promotion rivals, Sunderland. Trojans were the only serious contenders in the match match but it took until the third minute of second half before Amy Sheehan scored the only goal of the match to give Trojans three points and promotion. Third placed Reading secured themselves a potential play-off place with a 2-0 win over Barnes HE. Both Reading and Sunderland have tough matches next weekend with the play-off place dependent on the outcome.
Division One leaders with one game left to play: 1st (promoted) Trojans 40 pts (+26), 2nd Sunderland 35 pts (+17), 3rd Reading 33 pts (+21).
As luck would have it the four bottom teams in the Women’s Premier Division met this afternoon. Old Loughtonians drew 1-1 at Poynton and are relegated. Ipswich’s visit to Chelmsford resulted in a 0-0 draw. As if it had been scripted, the fate of Chelmsford and Poynton will be decided next Saturday when the sides meet. With equal goal difference, a win for Poynton could result in Chelmsford having to go to the play-offs to maintain their Premiership status.
Other results in the Premier Division: Bowdon Hightown 2 Canterbury 1, Clifton 5 Slough 4, Leicester 4 Olton 1.
Premier Division bottom three with one more game left to play: 8th Chelmsford 15 pts (-19), 9th Poynton 12 pts (-19), 10th (relegated) Old Loughtonians 7 pts 9 (-43).
In Women’s National North, the remaining issue to be decided went against Cambridge City when they lost 5-4 against Nottingham Highfields and they are now relegated. Sheffield Hallam slipped back into the relegation play-off spot after losing 1-0 at Bradford. Rover Oxford picked up a useful three points against already relegated Bedford but are not out of the woods yet. They are only one point ahead of Sheffield Hallam. Staines were crowned Champions of Women’s National South after beating St Austell 2-0 away. Second place Swansea went down 2-1 to visiting St Albans. The relegation play-off place potentially involves four teams. A win 4-3 win for Firebrands against Maidstone and a 1-1 draw for Horsam against Exe, puts both clubs on 24 points with a goal difference of -2. Maidstone are on 26 points and St Austell on 27.
There was a full programme of matches in the Men’s National North and South Divisions today. All the issues in the North were settled, with Birmingham University winning the Division after a 4-1 win over second placed Doncaster. Sikh Union Nottingham are relegated from the EHL after losing 6-1 to Telford and Wrekin, and Kingston upon Hull will go to the play-offs after losing to Leek 3-0. In the South, Exeter University are confirmed as champions after a 6-0 win over Bromley and Beckenham, and Cambridge University are relegated after losing 5-4 to the other relegated club, Teddington. Robinsons currently occupy the relegation play-off slot but could climb out of there if they can win their remaining game against Holcombe next weekend.
Our photograph shows Trojans’ Ali Wakefield (red shirt) tussling for possession with Sunderland’s Susan Hamilton. A full album of pictures from this match will appear on our main web site (www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk) soon.
