All the Investec East Conference matches must start at the same time this week as the final standings are to be decided. East Grinstead wrapped up the league title a few weeks ago and showed their exceptional quality with a 4-1 victory over Bedford last week. Despite the score line Bedford were encouraged by their second half showing where they were more than a match for the champions elect and were lucky not to register more goals.

Bedford currently lie in ninth place in the league and a win will guarantee them 9th place which means they will go forward into the relegation playoffs rather than be relegated straight back to the East Prem. The relegation playoffs will see those teams that finish in ninth place in the East, West and North leagues battle for top spot in the relegation tournament and national league survival.

If Bedford fail to win against 6th placed Maidenhead that could leave the door open for Horsham, who lie two points below them in the table. Horsham are also at home and face 7th place Chelmsford. A draw should also be enough for Bedford but only if Horsham don’t win by more than 3 goals and that’s not something Bedford will want to chance so they will be going all out for the win and to enjoy the occasion.

Bedford name the same 13 woman squad as last week – Leanne Sargeant, Rachel Jackson, Emma Pinny, SJ Darrington, Beth Noble, Sherri Skene, Yvette Van Yperen, Charlotte Holland, Clare Beattie, Verity Mason McLeod, Becky Childs, Andrea Mason and Kate Costin.

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Bedford were defeated 3-1 by Maidenhead who despite being new into the league, have settled extremely well, comfortably avoiding relegation concerns due in no small part to the great experience of their player /coach Jane Smith, one of England's top players of recent years and winner of the 2001 Hockey Writers’ club player of the year (and a commonwealth silver medallist!). Bedford will however be able to draw a pre-season victory over the same opponents in the plum tournament with 3-1 the score on that occasion. We look forward to welcoming Jane and the rest of the Maidenhead squad to Bedford for what promises to be a good final game.