Ipswich Ladies 4 Canterbury Ladies

CANTERBURY Ladies hockey team slipped to their first defeat in the Slazenger English League when they conceded two goals in the final two minutes to lose 4-3 at Ipswich.

Former Old Loughtonians forward Jenny Hall was the Ipswich star, completing her hat-trick with the winner, just seconds from the end.

Hall had opened the scoring in the 11th minute but Canterbury equalised two minutes before the break when skipper Mel Clewlow's free-hit was turned home by Cathy Gilliat-Smitrh.

The England international struck again five minutes into the second half and when Hayley Brown added a third seven minutes later Canterbury appeared to be in the driving seat.

However, Hall's second, on 57 minutes, made it 3-2 and, after Canterbury's Tash Brennan had seen a penalty stroke saved, Lizzy Aldous slipped the Ipswich equaliser through keeper Becky Duggan’s legs after a team-mate had beaten three Canterbury players to set up the chance.

The visitors’ misery was compounded when Clewlow’s pass from the sidelines was intercepted and from the free hit that followed Hall was left unmarked to seal the home comeback.

Disappointed skipper Clewlow said: "We dominated the game for long periods but it seems every time we make a mistake at the moment we’re being punished.

"At 3-1 we really should have closed out the game but when Tash had her flick saved it gave them a lift. Jenny Hall is a good player but I felt the goals we conceded were pretty poor."

Canterbury face unbeaten leaders Slough at Polo Farm, on Saturday, start 11.45am.

CANTERBURY eased into the last 16 of the Women's HA Cup on Sunday when they won 3-0 away to Division 1 side Sunderland.

Seventeen-year-old Susannah Townsend's first goal of the season gave them a half-time lead with further strikes from Cathy Gilliat-Smith and Mel Clewlow sealing the victory.

Canterbury now face holders Bowdon Hightown at home in the 4th round on Sunday, December 10.

* Keep up to date with all the Canterbury Ladies news every week in the Kentish Gazette.