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Holcombe missed their alternative to go three factors away from promotion rivals Barnes on Saturday afternoon as Nick Bandurak’s aspect drew 1-1 with fifth-placed Slough at Upton Court docket Street.
Deanna Ritchie gave Holcombe the lead 4 minutes earlier than half-time however it took simply 4 minutes after that break for the hosts to equalise by means of Laura Bailey.
With league leaders – and Sunday’s opponents – Surbiton 2s unable to be promoted, it’s seemingly between Holcombe and Barnes to win promotion by ending second, with Holcs now some extent away from Barnes with a game-in-hand after the London aspect misplaced 2-0 at Harleston Magpies on Saturday.
Bandurak’s aspect have been in search of a fourth straight Division One South victory having crushed Wimbledon 2s, Southgate and Sevenoaks of their final three.
In a quiet first quarter, the one two probabilities got here from penalty corners – the hosts seeing a slip routine charged down by Holcombe’s defence earlier than Phoebe Steele – who had three objectives in her final two appearances heading into Saturday’s match – drag-flicked narrowly extensive on the different finish.
Slough defended one other nook properly as Holcombe seemed to shift up a gear early on within the second quarter, although there was actually an argument that the foul on Ritchie resulting in the nook may have been given as a penalty stroke.
A scrappy interval adopted as each groups seemed to realize extra management, Holcombe gaining territory however unable to provide these remaining passes and touches till a couple of minutes earlier than half-time, a neat transfer down the proper resulting in the opening aim.
The ball fell to Bethan Hodges within the circle, her shot was deflected away however Ritchie was readily available to complete from shut vary for her tenth league aim of the season and eleventh in all competitions.
Holcs defended two extra penalty corners properly earlier than the top of the half, heading into the break with their lead intact.
Early on within the third interval, Holcombe had an incredible alternative to double their benefit. Emma Bandurak performed a superb lengthy ball into Ritchie, who discovered Marian Ledesma within the circle, the latter fouled as she tried to around the goalkeeper – penalty stroke given.
Bandurak stepped up however noticed an effort well-saved by Asha Tranquille-Day.
Quickly after, Slough’s equaliser got here by means of Bailey. She labored area brilliantly on the fringe of the circle with some nice stick abilities, earlier than unleashing a robust strike into the underside nook previous Tilly Woodhead to stage the scores.
Holcombe’s response in possession was pretty optimistic however Anna Baker did squander an incredible probability to finish a quick-fire turnaround for the hosts, hitting an ungainly effort off-target from only a few yards out.
Slough then earned one other penalty nook with Woodhead beautifully saving 3 times on the set piece earlier than a penalty stroke was awarded.
Baker stepped up however Woodhead made one other sensible save, diving to her proper and reaching as much as cease the hosts from taking the lead.
Bandurak and Hattie Jones got here near restoring Holcombe’s lead from a penalty nook of their very own however each have been denied.
Holcombe’s makes an attempt to construct late stress have been usually rebuffed, with alternatives restricted to 2 penalty corners which have been well-defended within the remaining interval. Bandurak’s aspect struggled to create any open play probabilities late on and needed to accept some extent within the first match of two this weekend.
Holcombe face Surbiton 2s on Sunday (1:30pm) at Holcombe Park – entry is free and updates shall be supplied throughout our social media channels.
Lucas Ball
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