Canterbury Ladies v Leicester

CANTERBURY Hockey Club’s ladies hope to be boosted by the return of Susan Webber when they face National League Premier Division leaders Leicester at Polo Farm on Saturday.

The South African international’s appearances have been restricted by school commitments at King’s, but she had a run-out with the second team last week, and trained with the seniors on Wednesday.

Anna Bennett and Susannah Townsend are also due to return, as Canterbury look to field an almost full strength 15 strong squad for a game they must win to keep alive their fading title hopes, after taking only one point from a possible nine.

Bennett, out for two weeks with delayed concussion, also missed last week’s 3-2 defeat at Ipswich because of school, while Susannah Townsend was absent for the same reason.

Canterbury’s poor run has seen them lose top spot and skipper Mel Clewlow admitted: "If we don’t win then our chances of winning the title will be quite slim. We start four points behind Leicester; if we win the gap will be one, but if we lose it’s going to be seven.

"We want to finish in the top three to guarantee a Super Cup spot, but the league is so tight, there are now five or six teams involved.

Clewlow added: "Susan took the decision not to play until after Christmas, because of her job at King’s. She adds another dimension to our game, holds the ball up well, leads the line and gives us extra options up front and at corners."

Cathy Gilliat Smith, like goalkeeper Becky Duggan, playing against her old club, put Canterbury ahead against Ipswich on Saturday, but the lead lasted only three minutes.

Clewlow explained: “It took us 10 or 15 minutes to get going, but we had a couple of chances to score in the first half. Cathy scored, but it was disappointing to concede so quickly after half-time."

Looking ahead to the weekend she added: "Leicester are a fantastic side, inundated with senior and junior internationals, and are a hard-working team who maintain a high tempo for 70 minutes.

"They have got several match-winners, and Helen Richardson is one of the best centre-halves in the country.

"Confidence will be high in their team as they have lost only two games this season, but games between us are always close. We drew 0-0 there in our first game of the season, but beat them in the Super Cup."