Buckingham 2 Birmingham University 2

The visitors to Stowe had slightly the better of the opening exchanges but it was the home side who created the first real chance of the game. A fine turn and dribble from Phoebe Richards resulted in Birmingham’s goal keeper having to come and smother to deny Tash James the opening goal after eight minutes. Buckingham created another good opening a minute later but Hannah Cozens couldn’t quite connect with the final pass. The visiting keeper was being kept busy. She was forced to make another fine save from Richards after fifteen minutes and another close range save from Abbie Brant five minutes later. Buckingham were the dominant force during this period and earned their first penalty corner on twenty-five minutes. The shot was blocked and a swift counter a minute later brought a fine double save from Ella Jackson at the other end - her first action of the contest. Buckingham then defended two penalty corners with Jackson denying Birmingham’s Olympic gold medallist Lilly Owsley’s fine deflection. It was now all-action and an Emily Rowland's volley brought another fantastic save from the visiting goal keeper just two minutes before the break. A fine run by Alice Rolfe earned Buckingham another penalty corner in the final minute. Though Shipperley’s initial shot was well saved, the home side were awarded a second from the resulting rebound and this time, player of the match, Lauren Thomas slapped the ball home to give Buckingham a deserved 1-0 lead.

Buckingham started the second half very well and dominated both territory and possession. They earned another penalty corner on thirty-eight minutes but this was once again saved. However, the home side were rewarded for their strong start to the second half when a fine mazy run from Eloise Laity resulted in Richards doubling the lead with forty minutes gone. Birmingham fought back with Jackson again denying Owsley on forty-three minutes and Jackson was called into action again a few minutes later, making a fine 1v1 save following a defensive error. The visitors were enjoying their best period of the game and when Buckingham were temporarily reduced to ten players they took full advantage. Birmingham earned two penalty corners and from the second they made the score 2-1. Despite enjoying more possession and territory the visitors failed to create may clear cut openings but some poor defending resulted in the visitor levelling the scores from an acute angle with eleven minutes remaining. Buckingham Immediately went back on the offensive, another fine Richards run an shot forcing yet another fine save from the visitors goal keeper. Both sides pushed hard for the winning goal with Buckingham having the better of the final ten minutes but ultimately neither side could find a way through, the result being an entertaining 2-2 draw.