Culliford maintains standards

Sutton Canada Life and Slough made light of the absence of three Great Britain players each to beat Hightown and Doncaster, respectively, in the Premier Division of the Women's National League, writes Bill Colwill.

Clifton, with a 1-0 win at home to Ipswich, retained their two-point lead over Sutton at the top.

Lucy Culliford maintained her run of a goal-a-match for Clifton but it was Lorraine Marsden, the former Hightown midfielder, who stole the show.

The defending champions, Slough, owed their 1-0 win against Doncaster to a lively performance and a winning goal from Kate White.

England's manager, Jane Swinnerton-Ions, scored both Sutton's goals in their 2-1 win against Hightown where England's coach, Maggie Souyave, was in opposition. Tina Cullen, England's centre forward, replied for Hightown.

In the First Division an Ali Burrows penalty corner shot gave Trojans a 1-0 victory away to Sunderland Bedans to maintain their 100 per cent record while two goals from Kirstin Cardus for Canterbury - away to Blueharts at Hitchin - keeps them in hot pursuit with an inferior goal difference.