SLOUGH will look to conclude their Women’s League season on a winning note when they face Berkshire rivals Reading at Upton Court Park on Saturday (2pm).

The Pink and Blacks are safe from relegation being five points clear of second-bottom Bowdon Hightown with one match left.

While Slough were losing 2-0 at play-off chasing Clifton Robinsons last weekend, Bowdon were crashing 5-1 to Leicester.

“Obviously we’re pleased to have survived in our first season back in the Premier Division,” said captain Kat McGonigle.

“It means we can relax going into our last game against Reading and it would be nice to get a win to finish off the season.”

Slough have become Berkshire’s premier women’s hockey team with Reading’s relegation also confirmed last weekend following eight seasons in the top flight. They’ve not won a league game all season.

McGonigle is likely to be sidelined for the second successive week as she is nursing a broken right thumb.

“I got hurt early in the Holcombe game the previous week,” she revealed. “I played on but the thumb became very swollen and sore, so I went to have it checked out.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Kat McGonigle has enjoyed plenty of success as captian of Slough, winning the Conference West title last season (pictured) and the indoor league in January.

“They said it was broken and I had an operation last Thursday to have a couple of pins inserted in the joint. I did ask if the surgery could be delayed for a couple of weeks, but they said no.”

The Slough defender had also broken her knuckle during the winter indoor league.

“I never had a hand injury in 18 years of playing hockey. Now I’ve had two in a short space of time,” said the unlucky McGonigle.

“I won’t be able to start against Reading but I will still kit up as there may be a chance of being able to play up front for the last few minutes so I can at least end the season on the pitch.”

Despite being without their inspirational captain, Slough defended well against a Clifton attack led by Rio gold medallist Alex Danson, only to be twice caught out at penalty corners.

Aileen Davis converted in the 19th minute with Hannah Coulson making it 2-0 four minutes before half-time.

Kali Takher’s side had a much better second half, forcing two corners, but were unable to take their few scoring opportunities.

Dilly Newton, Laura Bailey and Hannah Bone all enjoyed particularly good performances.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Dilly Newton (in black) performed well for Slough on Saturday.

Slough men can seal the Middx, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Regional Two title on Saturday.

Leaders by one point, they go to fourth-placed British Airways for their penultimate game, while second-placed Amersham & Chalfont complete their fixtures at Banbury 2s.

Last weekend, Slough defeated West Hampstead 2s 4-2 with goals from Bobbie Bansal, his 29th of the season, Inder Daggar, Kuli Matharu and Gurlal Singh Buttar.

Lucas Birrell-Gray netted twice for the relegation-threatened visitors.