AND THE WINNER IS...
Leicester Ladies 1st team completed a near 100% English Hockey League season with a 2-1 win at Canterbury on Saturday that left them with a record across the League season of P18 W17 D1 L0 and a goal difference of 55. It was not an easy win and some of this was thanks to pressure from a decent Canterbury side and some was down to match officials finding greater fault with Leicester's physical play than the opponents.
Crista Cullen added to her season's tally from the penalty spot after a Canterbury player was judged to have committed a deliberate foul in the circle but this was cancelled out before half time when Canterbury scored in open play. Much of the second half saw Leicester increasing the pressure and it was Cullen again who sealed the win, converting a trademark penalty corner with just over ten minutes to go. Leicester may well meet Canterbury again in the Premiership play offs; the Kent side's 5th place in the Premier League means they face the 4th side in a play off with the winner then facing Leicester at Leicester Grammar School in what is effectively the Premiership semi-final.
On Sunday, a somewhat weary Leicester side travelled back up to Leicester Grammar School to take on University of Birmingham in the semi-final of the England Hockey Cup. The Students had provided stern opposition in two League matches but Leicester had too much quality this time around, running out 4-0 winners. The win puts Leicester into the final against rivals Reading who beat Trojans 4-1. The final will be part of a package of events on May 15th at Beeston in Nottingham.
All Leicester's goals came in the first half and all were from open play. Hannah MacLeod got back into scoring form and her two goals came either side of goals from Chloe Rogers and Katie Long.
Leicester 5ths fought hard against well-placed Roundhill in their Leicestershire One game but eventually lost to a single goal.