Hockey - Olton & West Warwicks draw leaders in cup

Nov 5 2008 by Nick Pullen, Birmingham Mail

OLTON & West Warwicks have been drawn against Premier Division leaders Bowdon Hightown in the Women’s Cup fourth round.

It’s without doubt the tie of the round which pits together the top two sides in the country.

Bowdon already have the benefit of a 4-3 win over Olton this season.

But Olton’s Great Britain star Rachel Walker believes home advantage could well swing the tie in their favour.

She claimed: “We didn’t start well at Bowdon and went 3-1 down at half-time. We definitely had the edge in the second half and I feel we have the type of game to beat them.’’

Women’s Conference West leaders University of Birmingham have the chance to cause a real upset when they visit powerful Premier side Leicester, who have made a surprisingly poor start to the season.

Sutton Coldfield have a strong chance of reaching the quarter-final stage when they host Conference East side Horsham.

Meanwhile, Men’s Premier Division leaders Cannock have been handed a home tie against strugglers Southgate in an all-Premier tie.

Barford Tigers face a tough trip to Essex where they take on Conference East outfit Old Loughtonians.

WOMEN’S CUP, fourth-round draw: Cambridge City v Old Loughtonians, Clifton v St Neots, Dereham v Barnes Hounslow and Ealing, Holcombe v Epsom, Leicester v University of Birmingham, Olton and West Warwicks v Bowdon Hightown, Reading v Trojans, Sutton Coldfield v Horsham.

Matches to be played Sunday, November 16.

MEN’S CUP, fourth-round draw: Bowdon v Old Georgians, Brooklands MU v Leek, Cannock v Southgate, Canterbury v Indian Gymkhana, Old Loughtonians v Barford Tigers, Reading v Firebrands, Sheffield Hallam Civica v Beeston, Sheffield University Bankers v Fareham.

Matches to be played Sunday November 23.