SLOUGH made it three away draws in succession in the Premier Division by sharing two goals at Beeston on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

They would have left Nottingham with all three points had they been more clinical with their finishing from penalty corners, winning five in the early stages.

The Pink and Blacks, boosted by their 2-1 home win over high-flying Holcombe a week earlier, were quickly into their stride, pressing hard and forcing their hosts to defend deep in their own circle.

After several corners, the pressure paid off in the 23rd minute. Slough varied their penalty-corner routines and on this occasion, Emma O'Nien took the ball out to the right of the D before turning it back towards the near post, where Mel Ball neatly lifted it high into the net.

Slough continued to have the better of the first half, but after the break they had to defend more and it was now Beeston's turns to win penalty corners. It led to Caroline Hanks bringing the scores level on 50 minutes.

Kat McGonigle's side managed to keep Bees at bay for the rest of the game and were good value for their third 1-1 draw in consecutive away games

"We were pleased to keep the momentum going," said skipper McGonigle, whose side are certainly playing a lot better than they did for much of last season. "We've taken five points from our last three games and we're now looking to build on that before the mid-season break."

Dilly Newton was voted Slough's player of the match.

This Saturday (12 noon) they travel to Stowe School to take on Buckingham, who lie fourth in the Premier Division, four places higher than Slough, with five points separating the pair.

They again likely to be without Kelly Morgan, who was injured in the game against Holcombe.

The Pink 'n' Blacks are also in action on Sunday (12.30pm pushback) when they host holders Surbiton in the Tier 1 Championship.

The tie comes at a good time as Surbiton will be missing the six England internationals who will be competing in the Champions Trophy which starts on Saturday 17th November in China.

Slough men crashed 6-2 defeat away to Blackheath & Elthamians, their sixth loss in as many Premier Two games. This Saturday they are home to fourth-placed Tulse Hill & Dulwich.