SLOUGH coach Kali Tahker believes his side are capable of finishing in the top eight of the Investec League after seeing them win 3-1 at Reading in a vital game on Sunday.
“I was delighted with our performance,” he said. “It was a big game for both teams as they’re fighting for survival.
“Winning the game was one thing,but the way we managed it as well. We showed that we were the senior team on the day. We showed good heart and our goals were really well taken.”
“This performance confirms to the girls that they belong in this league. I know our team will grow and overall I genuinely believe that this squad are among the top eight in this country.
“We’ve had a tough season. It has been a steep learning curve and I’m hoping we will all grow together. With the experience we’re gaining this year, I have no doubt we will do better next year.”
Slough move up to eighth with seven points, one ahead of Bowdon Hightown and six more than winless Reading.
But as Tahker said: “We just can’t rely on getting points against Bowdon or Reading, we have to pick them up against other teams, and we will be looking to do that against Leicester this week.”
The Pink and Blacks’ second league victory of the season never looked in any serious doubt after Mel Ball had netted in the eighth minute from a penalty corner, and Amy Sheehan from open play with 27 minutes on the clock.
PHOTO: Harriet Ward (pink and black) dribbles the ball past Reading's Julie Whiting at Sonning Lane on Sunday.
Georgie Blackwood pulled a goal back for the home side four minutes into the second half, but more good work by Hannah Bowe led to Ball restoring her side’s two-goal advantage on 50 minutes.
Sheehan had a great chance to score again when Slough were awarded a penalty stroke, but her effort was brilliantly pushed away by 15-year-old keeper Mila Welch, who had brought down Ball as she raced clean through.
Slough captain Kat McGonigle added: “This was a massive win for us as it was a six-pointer and it gives us a chance of going up to seventh in the table.
“We finished off our chances well. Reading had some, too, but we defended very well. Dilly Newton was superb at the back, but the whole team was prepared to work back to keep them out.”
She added: “We are out of the bottom two having overtaken Bowdon, so we’re happy going into this week’s game with Leicester. Hopefully, we can get at least a point, if not three.”
Slough enjoyed plenty of vocal support at Sonning Lane and are hoping for a big crowd at Upton Court Park on Saturday (1pm).
It was another good weekend for the club as the men’s team triumphed 4-0 at Eastcote to make it eight wins out of eight in Middx Berks Bucks & Oxon Regional Two.
They have now opened up a five-point gap over second-placed Amersham & Chalfont.
PHOTO: Slough (pink and black) star Hannah Bowe shields the ball from two Reading players in the 3-1 win.
Bobbie Bansal opened the scoring in the first half and was again on target after half-time along with Gurlal Buttar and Ranjeev Deol.
Bansal now has 11 goals for the season, the second highest in the division, and he will be looking to add to it when bottom-of-the-table Staines come to Slough this Saturday.
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