Defence marks Buckingham out
In setting up successive finals, Buckingham had earlier beaten East Grinstead in a 5-4 semi-final thriller. The defending champions had a chance to level on the hooter but Katarina Lacina, with the last shot of the match, saw her shot saved off the line as Buckingham set up a final showdown with Bowdon, seeking their third title in six years.
Buckingham took the lead when Lottie Porter, the club’s top scorer, found welcome space in the circle to push home before Sally Walton’s lethal penalty corner skills earned an equaliser. Buckingham’s stout defence – giving away just two corners to Bowdon – stilted Walton’s chances thereafter.
Buckingham regained the advantage when Rebecca van Arrowsmith slotted home at the end of the first quarter. Thereafter, a frenetic period of four goals in three minutes as Porter added a second before Bowdon scored two quick counter goals, first from Hannah Macdonald and then Charlene Mason seconds later, who connected on the slide.
Bowdon twice hit the post either side of half-time but Buckingham took their chance and an uncharted road towards Europe when Abbie Brant scooped in from close range with eight minutes left.
Porter said: “From where Buckingham started I don’t think anyone could have believed Buckingham could play in Europe. It’s amazing, Zak has masterminded the whole thing and we wouldn’t be here without him. He has an answer for everything, the tactics to play and when and there is nothing he doesn’t know. He makes us all believe we can do it as well.”
Meanwhile, East Grinstead will now head to the European clubs tournament later this month as England’s sole representative before Buckingham enter the fray in 2021. It was a day to forget for the West Sussex side, with the men’s side also relinquishing their title as Surbiton beat Holcombe in the final.
