Hockey: Harrow rely on youth to sap Sutton strength

KERRI LENDON, Harrow's 15- year-old centre-forward, will tomorrow lead the attack of the Middlesex side, who are bottom of the Second Division of the South League, against the European Cup-Winners' Cup holders, First Personnel Sutton Coldfield, in the third round of the All England Women's Hockey Association Cup.

The task of trying to hold Sutton's front line, led by their captain and British Olympic bronze medallist, Jane Sixsmith, will go to Harrow's captain, Alison Jayne, who said yesterday: 'We know it will be an uphill task but we are looking forward to the experience and will do our best to make it difficult for Sutton.'

Jayne added: 'Unfortunately we will be missing three or four of our first-team squad so it will be tough on the reserves.' The reserve goalkeeper, Paula Redpath, could be in for a busy afternoon. Sutton will be travelling with their full squad including their most recent acquisition, the Welsh international, Kate Roderick.

In a draw which has been kind to the National League First Division clubs, only Wimbledon and Pickwick meet at Motspur Park. The cup holders, Hightown, are at home to Pressed Steel Fisher, of Oxford, with the league leaders, Ipswich, travelling to face Woking Swifts.

It will be a busy weekend for several of the top sides in the Pizza Express National League. The leaders, Hounslow, are at home to East Grinstead in a rearranged league game this afternoon and then travel to Norfolk to play Harleston Magpies in the fifth round of the Royal Bank of Scotland HA Cup tomorrow. Grinstead also have a double fixture, playing Sheffield in the cup tomorrow.

Second-placed Southgate, already out of the cup, travel to Birmingham today where they face Stourport, who are third. The Midland club come South to play Guildford in the cup tomorrow.

The encounter between Hampstead and Westminster against Northampton at Paddington tomorrow will ensure that at least one non-National League side goes into Monday's quarter-final draw.