Holcombe 2 Buckingham 3

Following their abandoned fixture at the end of November, Buckingham once again made the long journey to Holcombe for their rearranged fixture. With victory for either side meaning that either would go into the Christmas break back in the top four, the fixture now had even more significance than previously.
With a full squad out for the league fixture, Buckingham as they had done two weeks ago, began well, moving the ball well in a first quarter that was a hotly and evenly contested affair with neither side able to gain an advantage on the scoreboard.
Buckingham began the second period well and it was Tash James, in a rich vein of scoring form, with four in her last three games who opened the scoring, two minutes into the second quarter with a well taken poachers finish. However, it did not take the home side long to get back on level terms, scoring with a swift counter attack just four minutes later. Buckingham regained the lead just two minutes before half time when a diving Katrina Nicholson was first to react to a lose ball to make the score 2-1.
The home side fought back immediately after the break and were once again on level terms early in the third quarter when they executed a well worked penalty corner routine to make the score 2-2. Holcombe then had a period of sustained pressure but Buckingham's defence and Ella Jackson in goal prevented any further scoring.
Both sides went in search of a winner for the remainder of the of match but neither could not find a way through until six minute from time, when a superb move involving Zoe Shipperley, Rebecca Van Arrowsmith and Maddy Newlyn left Lottie Porter with the easiest of finishes to give Buckingham a 3-2 lead. The home side pushed forward in search of another equaliser and Buckingham were thankful to Player of the Match Jackson for another important stop with three minutes remaining. Following that scare, Buckingham remained composed and managed the final few minutes well to see them too a hugely important win that sees them move back into fourth place heading into the Christmas break..

The squad are delighted with the weekends performances and the way we have finished this half of the season. On Saturday we showed our squad depth, as well as some real spirit and resilience to come through a very tough cup game. Then on Sunday, we showed the quality of our character, play and conditioning in an incredibly tight game, against a very good side to come away with a hugely important three points. We can now use the winter break to recuperate as well as to reflect on the first half of the season, in order to come back better and improved when the league resumes in February.