THREE crucial Investec League points followed by a defeat in the National Cup made it a weekend of mixed fortunes for Slough ladies.

As their main priority is to stay in the Premier Division, the 1-0 win over Bowdon Hightown on Saturday was of much greater benefit to their future than the quarter-final tie with Surbiton, which they lost 6-1 on Sunday.

Coach Kali Takher described the former as the most important win of the season.

He added: It has given us the opportunity to keep ourselves in the Premier Division, and that’s where this club deserves to be.”

Slough move up one place to eighth on 10 points with five games left, three points ahead of Bowdon, who have a game in hand.

Winless Reading, who visit Bowdon on Saturday, now look virtually certain of finishing in the bottom two.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Slough (pink and black) in National Cup action against Surbiton at Upton Court Road on Sunday.

With so much at stake, the encounter at Upton Court Park was not the most entertaining of games. The Pink and Blacks enjoyed more possession, but scoring chances at both ends were few and far between.

With 10 minutes remaining, the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw, but Slough forced a penalty corner which Dilly Newton firmly dispatched into the back of the net.

Takher was forced to make several changes on Sunday with five senior players not available for various reasons. Captain Kat McGonigle did play despite nursing a broken left hand.

“It was sore, but it was okay and I got through the games,” said the defender who wore a protective glove.

League champions Surbiton, who have only lost one England Hockey Cup tie in four seasons, turned up with a side containing seven Great Britain players and a New Zealand international.

They scored twice in the opening 12 minutes through Giselle Ansley and Abi Robinson, but Slough defended well as they were penned in their own half for much of the game.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Slough (pink and black) in National Cup action against Surbiton at Upton Court Road on Sunday.

Keeper Asha Tranquille-Day made some fine saves but could not prevent further strikes from Emily Defroand, Jo Hunter, Naomi Evans and Sarah Page.

Slough had the final say with Kymran Shergill netting a deserved consolation goal three minutes from time.

Takher commented: “At half-time I gave the girls a target to score one goal and they did that, which really pleased me.

“We lost by a bagful but I would say three of the goals we could have done something about, while the other three were of high quality.”

Slough are without a game this weekend.