KEEPER Mila Welch was Slough’s hero on Sunday, saving a penalty stroke in their 1-1 draw away to Clifton Robinsons in the Investec League, writes Dave Wright.

The England Under-18 player read the situation well to keep the ball out and earn the Pink ‘n’ Blacks the draw they deserved.

“It was a good point for us, although we went there trying to get all three,” said skipper Kat McGonigle.

Slough were still getting into the game when they conceded a penalty corner which led to Aileen Davies putting the Bristol side ahead with just seven minutes on the clock.

“We were pretty disappointed to have gone behind so early on. It was a goal we feel we should have prevented,” commented McGonigle.

Her side refused to drop their heads and drew level when Kitty Baccanello rounded off a well-worked team move in the 21st minute. It was the teenager’s first goal for the club.

From then on the game could have gone either way with chances and penalty corners coming at both ends.

Like they had in their previous four games which produced just two goals, Slough were let down by their lack of accuracy in front of goal.

“We’re just not scoring enough goals,” admitted McGonigle.

Their failure to capitalise on the chances created looked like costing them dearly when Clifton, seeking their second win of the season, were presented with a golden opportunity to snatch a second-half winner from the penalty spot.

It came when a forward rounded Welch, only to see her shot stopped by a covering defender on the Slough line.

The talented Welch, who had joined the club from Reading this season, came to her side’s rescue with a fine stop.

Mila and her defence also did well to keep out three late penalty corners as the home side threatened to snatch a late winner.

“We were under pressure but we defended well, which was pleasing,” said McGonigle.

“All we need to do now is to find a way to score goals. We will be working hard on that in training.”

Second-bottom Slough, with two points from five games, face a particularly tough fixture this Saturday when Holcombe are the visitors to Upton Court Park (12.30pm pushback).

McGonigle said: “It’s another difficult game and we know we need to take our chances.”

The Kent-based side suffered their first defeat of the campaign last weekend, losing 2-1 at home to East Grinstead.

Promoted Slough ,en are continuing to find life difficult in Premier Division Two, crashing 5-0 away to Eastbourne last weekend, their fourth defeat in as many matches.

Rannoch Foster, with a brace, Jamie Francis, Harrison Hubbard and Daniel Williams were on target for the seasiders, whose third win in four games lifted them to second in the table.

It is the unbeaten leaders, Guildford, who are the visitors to Upton Court Park this Saturday afternoon.