Leicester Hockey Club

Leicester 1st team maintained its lead at the top of the English Premier League with a solid 2-0 win over 3rd placed Slough last Saturday at Leicester Grammar School. A forgettable first half was followed by an immediate response from Leicester three minutes into the second when Katie Long scored an open play goal for her second of the season. Much of the rest of the game was Leicester versus the outstanding Becky Duggan in Slough's goal until Crista Cullen finally managed to put one of Leicester's many penalty corners past her. Cullen's goal was her fourth in League matches since returning from her travels in Africa and her seventh all told this season.
The win maintains Leicester's  three point lead over nearest rivals Reading who walloped Brooklands Poynton 6-1.
This weekend's opposition (12.30 Leicester Grammar) comes from Olton, up into third after a 2-2 draw with University of Birmingham last weekend. Leicester will need to watch the League's second highest scorer this season, Rachel Walker, who has notched six League goals so far. Walker made the news earlier in the season when her boyfriend proposed to her on a tour of the Olympic Stadium development in London!
On Sunday, Leicester will be engaged in the next round of the Cup at Clifton, looking for a place in the quarter finals. Leicester, once again, is the only side having to face Premier rivals in order to progress.
 Leicester 2nds had very mixed fortunes last weekend. On Saturday the side pulled off a stunning 3-1 win at Worcester who had led the League with a 100% record until then. The win lifts Leicester to fourth level on points with third placed Matlock Baileans. Sunday, however, saw a disappointing reverse in the England Hockey 2nd Team Cup with a 4-0 loss to University of Birmingham 2nds. The Students fielded players with first team experience, one of whom, former Leicester star Holly Payne, set them on their way to victory with a goal. She hardly ever scored when at Leicester!
 There was also disappointment for Leicester 3rds. Bidding to maintain a 100% start to the season the side went crashing to a 4-0 defeat at Ashby, now outright League leaders. Leicester will look to get back to winning ways this weekend in a 10.30 game against Half Century.
Leicester 4ths had a weekend of inactivity but return to action looking to remain unbeaten when taking on Melton away.
On Sunday, as well as the 1sts being in Cup action Leicester's U16 and U18 teams both face tough away games at Worcester and Matlock Baileans respectively.