Olton boosted by the return of Price

Posted: Friday 20th March 2009 | 17:20

OLTON captain Kerry Moore insists the imminent return of key defender Laura Price can fire her team into Europe ahead of this weekend's must-win fixture with third-placed Canterbury.

Moore and co. welcome Canterbury on Saturday with just one point separating the two and only two matches remaining as the race for second spot hots up after Bowdon clinched the title last month.

Olton currently occupy second spot but could have had the position sewn up by now had it not been for a poor recent run that has seen them record just two wins in their last five Slazenger England Hockey League outings.

Moore said: "I am pretty hopeful that we can maintain second spot and get into Europe. It is close at the moment with Canterbury only one point behind us but we are hoping to have a good game this weekend.

"I am not exactly sure what team will be out but it is looking good as our star player Laura Price is back in the side after a spell out of the side with a broken toe.

"The return of Price is just what we need to help us maintain our spot and Denise Marston-Smith is also back after missing the last game."

Last time the two sides met Canterbury ran out 4-2 winners as Olton ended the game in Kent with just nine players on the field.

And while Moore is in confident mood ahead of this weekend's rematch she was adamant Olton wouldn't be taking Canterbury lightly.

Moore added: "Canterbury are a young and quick side and very similar to us. The thing we have to do this time is make sure that we keep 11 players on the pitch."

"We are not the type of team to be over confident. On our day we can player better than anyone in the league but our problem is that we are inconsistent.

"We are just taking one game at a time at the minute. If we win that is great but consistency is not our best thing and teams have taken points off of us throughout the season."

But win or lose this weekend Moore is predicting a bright future for the club, she continued: "We hope to do better next season as we have young forwards such as Holly Chipman and Fiona Davis coming through so hopefully we will become more consistent.

"But at the minute we are just taking each game as it comes."

CHANTELLE FRANCOIS