Buckingham 3 Bowdon 1

Having won 1-0 against the league leaders, Buckingham faced Bowden at home on Sunday, again knowing that a win was needed whilst relying on University of Birmingham to lose or draw against Slough for them to finish in fourth. Buckingham started the game strongly, dominating possession and creating chances to score. A lapse in concentration from a free hit close to the Buckingham D after twenty-five minutes resulted in Tara Melvin putting the visitors ahead against the run of play. However, Buckingham remained calm and from their second penalty corner Lauren Thomas again delivered perfectly from the top of the D for Brant to defect high into the goal to even the scores. As the game wore on Buckingham had more and more of the possession with player of the match Rebecca Van Berkel dominating from the back. The home side created several chances, Brant going close on two occasions. With five minutes to go Buckingham earned another penalty corner and Thomas fired the ball home for a 2-1 lead. With just a minute left on the clock, Bowden tried to push forward to find an equaliser but the ball was stolen and Hannah Cozens’ pass put Brant into the circle with only the keeper to beat. The Bowden keeper did well to push Brant wide but the Buckingham forward fired home from an acute angle with the last hit of the match making the final score 3-1 and taking her to equal league top scorer for the season. With the game finished confirmation came through that the University of Birmingham had been held to a 0-0 draw meaning that Buckingham overtook them to finish forth and qualify for the season ending playoffs at the end of April much to the players and supporters delight.