SLOUGH are preparing for three Investec League games which could define their season, writes Dave Wright.

They take on Canterbury, Bowdon and University of Birmingham with all four teams battling to avoid relegation from the Premier Division.

Winless Canterbury, the only club currently below them in the table, are the visitors to Upton Court Park this Saturday (12.30pm). The Pink and Blacks then travel to fourth-bottom Bowdon on Sunday (12.30pm) for a re-arranged fixture.

Then on Saturday 23rd February, they host Birmingham, who are at present locked on seven points with Slough, three behind Bowdon and four ahead of Canterbury.

Captain Kat McGonigle admitted: “This is a very important month for us and we know we need to pick up as many points as we can.”

Slough have added two players to their squad with goalkeeper Nicole Marks joining from Gloucester City, where the 20-year-old kept five clean sheets in eight Conference West games.

Abbey Griffiths, who plays midfield or defence, rejoins after being away at university and also playing in Conference West for ISCA.

Also returning is Asha Tranquille-Day, who missed the first-half of the season after having her baby.

With teenagers Mila Welch and Amber Lewsey also in the squad, this means head coach Kali Takher now has four keepers to select from.

A bigger concern for him is the lack of goal power as they have scored only eight times in 10 games, and this is something Slough must improve on if they hope to pull away from the drop zone.

This is in contrast to their defensive record of just 17 goals conceded, the fewest of all the teams battling for survival.

Slough men extended their unbeaten run to four games after drawing 3-3 with Eastbourne at home on Saturday.

This Saturday they travel to unbeaten Middx, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division Two leaders Guildford, who romped to a 7-0 victory at Upton Court Park in October.

n WINDSOR ladies return to action in Division One of the Trysports Hockey League with a home game against relegation threatened Newbury & Thatcham 2s this Saturday.