Kate Axford strikes late for Cambridge City in draw at Canterbury in England Women's Hockey League

Kate Axford left it late to earn Cambridge City a 1-1 draw at Canterbury in the first match of the new England Women’s Hockey League, Division One campaign.

In a tough match, the hosts took the lead after 18 minutes as Elizabeth Jenkins seized upon a loose ball in the area to score.

City were unable to capitalise on a yellow card for Anna Baker just before half time, but they picked up a well-deserved point in the final action of the game.

Axford, the BDB Pitmans player of the match, deflected a penalty corner striker past the keeper to grab City a share of the spoils.

There was also a draw for City II in their first match of the 2020/21 East Women’s League, Premier Division season.

Up against City of Peterborough at Wilberforce Road, they found themselves 2-0 down early on.

Having steadied the ship, Annie Radcliffe slalomed through a forest of sticks and then lifted the ball the keeper, jabbing the ball in the air to make it over the line.

Georgie Coote continued her goalscoring form of last season, getting City’s equaliser in the closing stages with a strong run and reverse-stick finish.

Cambridge South’s start to life in Division One North ended with a 2-0 defeat to City III.

It was a tough start for South, playing in the highest division in the club’s history, as City had only missed out on a top-two finish last season by one point.

Veteran Nat Allen opened the scoring with a far post deflection, and Phoebe Aldrich made it 2-0 wit a low push shot into the far left corner.

Laura Ludlow had South’s best chance with a straight strike that went just wide, and teenage defender Charlotte Wilson was their player of the match for a string of fine tackles.