BROMSGROVE started strongly and felt confident against a team who have diminished over the last couple of seasons.

Bromsgrove took the lead with an early goal from Christine Ash-worth.

The lead lasted right up until the last five minutes when Kings Heath scored from a well-oiled penalty corner routine, which was not remotely deserved.

This may have been the result of losing town player Lindsey Hind, which took the girls down to ten.

Everyone's work rate increased, particularly Becky Southwell's, who had to bridge the gap by marking her own player and Lindsey's opponent.

However, even with ten players and a fully fielded opposition, Bromsgrove deserved to win hands down.

Yet the girls didn't convert the chances they engineered.

Claire Brookes was player of the match, won for her outstanding support in both attack and defence.

Ang Gibson again moved back to defence to replace June Taylor and was backed up well by Justine Postones, Helen Moore and Ang Burnet, who were all on fire for this showdown.