Slazenger National League
Canterbury 2 Olton 1
Canterbury maintained there 100% start to the season with another narrow win on Saturday this time against Olton & West Warwick's. Canterbury in the first half playing some of their best hockey so far this season looked far the better side but couldn't convert their chances with first Hayley Brown shooting just wide after good work by Jen Wilson on 5 minutes and then Wilson herself shooting wide after being picked out by a brilliant through ball by Mel Clewlow on 20 minutes.
However it was Olton who broke the deadlock from their first penalty corner on 24 minutes. The initial shot was well saved Becky Duggan but the ball rolled onto the foot of Canterbury's Natalie Seymour for a penalty stroke to be awarded that was then expertly converted by Olton's England International Rachel Walker.
Canterbury upped their efforts and this time were rewarded when Jen Wilson won their first penalty corner after good work on the right. The initial routine was well saved but re-awarded due to an infringement and from the retaken corner Clewlow made no mistake with a blistering strike.
There was still chances before half time for both sides to add goals with first Canterbury keeper Duggan having to be at her best to deny Walker and then with the last touch of the half Jo Bryant just failed to put the ball away at the far post after Wilson had again made inroads on the Olton right.
The second half saw Canterbury defend resolutely as Olton pressed to take the initiative and they went close on 44 minutes when awarded a penalty corner. Their strike from the top was deflected off of Wilson's stick and hit the post with Duggan beaten but was then safely cleared by the Canterbury defence.
Canterbury took the lead on 58 minutes when Natasha Brennan disposed an Olton defender in their circle and found Sarah Kerly who neatly popped the ball over the Olton keeper. The home side held out until the end with Duggan needing to be at her best in the closing minutes for Canterbury third successive win.
Canterbury are away to Old Loughtonians on Saturday but will be without Clewlow, H. Brown, Seymour & Gilliat-Smith due to a Great Britain training camp.
Squad : Duggan, Clewlow, Milne, Seymour, Brown A, Brown H, Brown C, Wiles, Chapman, Brennan, Wilson, Kemsley, Stewart, Kerly, Bryant, Townsend.