Hockey: Slough look to Parker

HIGHTOWN, the Cup holders, entertain the League champions, Slough, at Formby Hockey Club in tomorrow's top women's National League fixture, writes Bill Colwill. With both sides having won their opening two games an entertaining contest is likely.

The northern club, with its blend of youth and experience, have yet to beat Slough in a league fixture and may well again be second best against a side who wear down their opponents and have an effective pair of strikers in Kate Parker and Leslie Hobley.

Ipswich, the only other side with a 100 per cent record, are unlikely to be troubled by the visit of Exmouth who have conceded five goals in their two games.

Leicester Balsam have had a disappointing start to the season, drawing games against Wimbledon and Chelmsford. They will be hoping that they can get their penalty corner drill going at Pickwick after scoring just once from 17 attempts last Saturday against Chelmsford.

Ealing should collect their first points of the season away to Clifton as should Sutton Coldfield at Doncaster. Chelmsford and Wimbledon look likely to share the points.

The Second Division gets underway with two newcomers to the National League, Trojans and Sunderland Bedans, meeting at Eastleigh. When the teams met last year in the play-offs in Sheffield Sunderland were beaten 6-0. Trojans, coached by the former Scottish international, Sarah Gilroy, start as favourites.