HOCKEY: A NARROW 1-0 victory over Kettering eased Warwick Ladies’ relegation fears heading into the final game of the season this weekend.
Following a match in which both sides enjoyed their fair share of possession and chances, it was Warwick who secured what could well be a huge three points after this weekend.
Kettering could have gone in front after having a shot from a penalty corner ruled out with just minutes remaining.
Warwick retaliated with a driving run from Lucy McEvoy and she crossed to Kirstin Bryce on the penalty spot who finished it with a reverse stick dive.
The win places Warwick eighth and they sit behind Kettering on goal difference ahead of this weekend’s final fixture against Worcester, where they will be hoping a win keeps them up.
Elsewhere in the men’s section, Warwick’s third team rounded of their promotion campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw at home to a strong Northampton Saints side.
Warwick dominated the opening exchanges without being able to turn chances into goals, while the Saints were quick on the break and converted their only real attack of the first half.
The hots responded with Nick Baker pulling Warwick back level with a fine finish to the bottom left corner, which is how it stayed at the break.
Warwick’s efforts to press for the win caused an increase in errors that also opened the game up for Saints with both sides getting chances. With 14 minutes to go Saints broke the deadlock with another breakaway to score despite great efforts from Mike Howard in goal.
Throughout the match Warwick earned a string of short corners but they were all spurned in a combination of some great saves, stops on the line and efforts flashing narrowly wide.
With four minutes remaining and with Saints growing in confidence, Warwick made their own breakaway attack down the left side with Archie Gale finding John Kane and another pass to James Allison saw him level the scoreline again.
