L1: Reading 3 Southgate 2

Reading were crowned Slazenger EHL Womens conference East champions on Saturday, but first they had to resist the challenge posed by a young Southgate side to preserve their unbeaten run.  This was a scrappy performance from the Blues as they looked a bit tired, and struggled with the unseasonable heat.  Southgate have given Reading the toughest test this season, in both meetings Reading have edged it by a single goal.  This ability to close out tight games against top four opposition, as much as banging in goals against lower sides has delivered the league title to Reading.

Reading gave Southgate plenty of early chances as they started with some uncharacteristic errors.  Tat Gutman-Hancock capitalised in the 8th minute after Alison Pope passed the ball directly to her.  Gutman-Hancock still had a lot to do but she showed why she is one of the league’s top scorers with a powerful strike.

Fortunately Reading displayed their mental fortitude and hit straight back by winning a penalty corner from the restart.  Becky Dru’s strike hit the post but Laura Puddle swept in the rebound.  The game then fell into a similar pattern as their last meeting with much of the action taking place in the midfeld between two well balanced sides.  Former Reading player Emma Kingstone used her skills to drive Southgate forward, but Reading’s midfield was equally incisive with their more passing game.

Southgate began to read Reading’s crash ball from defence to the front, and Reading were slow to adjust and shorten the passing.  Once they did Vicky Bryant and Laura Puddle enjoyed a lot of ball and their pace down the right hand side created many opportunities and Reading started taking down Southgate players like skittles.  Becky Dru attempted a drag flick which struck a Southgate defender and Vicky Bryant left the keeper in pain after a vicious strike caught her on the knee.  This was a fine rushing save from the Southgate keeper otherwise Reading would have taken the lead.

The breakthrough came from another penalty corner in the 27th minute, this time Clare Appleton who is perfecting her poaching act scored to give Reading a narrow half time lead.

Reading extended their lead early in the second period with their best goal of the game as player of the match Vicky Bryant cut through the Southgate defence on the right once again and her cross was met first time by Claire Kerr and swept into the top corner.  A 3-1 lead gave Reading some breathing space but this still wasn’t a comfortable performance as tiredness and silly mistakes again prevented Reading pushing on.  It was not surprise that Southgate persisted and scored their second in the 51st minute with a great reverse stick strike.

This could have been a nervy 20 minutes for Reading but actually they remained composed and whilst they didn’t score again, they saw the game out without two many further scares.  Hot, dehydrated and tired they were pleased to get a victory that extended their league winning margin to 17 points and remain unbeaten.  Much credit goes to Southgate for turning up intent on giving Reading a good game and making the day such a spectacle.  Their young side will be one to watch over the coming seasons.

Reading celebrated with their trophy and medals presented by Jan Baker from England hockey in front of a crowd of friends, family and stalward supporters from the club who have cheered us on each step of the way this season.  Unfortunately our fan club will have to stick with us a little longer as we head into a cup-semi final and the promotion playoffs.

It maybe for this reason that the celebrations felt a bit surreal and muted – no-one is getting too excited yet as tophies are nice but promotion is the real prize this season and that is not yet secured.  League victory is no longer enough and Reading must now prepare for a make or break weekend.  Unlike last season when in Division 1 t is hard for the squad and coaching team to know just how good this side is yet.  Yes, Reading have comprehensively won their Conference but that is no necessarily a good guide to telling how close to Premier class Reading are.  That they are unbeaten, not only in the league, but against every Prem side they have faced in the cup or friendlies will give this side much confidence; but there are sides out there, who have equally impressive league records.  University of Birmingham have just scored a century of goals, and Loughborough Students and University of Durham are tussling for the final playoff spot and are both streets ahead of the rest of their league.  Along with these Conference winners add Ipswich with a poor Prem season but a vast history of Prem division pedigree and you have an exciting mix for the playoffs and a new challenge for the Blues.

So it’s congratulations all round for the achievements so far this season but there is still much work on the training ground to do as the time is approaching to find out just how good we are.  As our captain Alice Margerison said when accepting the trophy we believe we are good enough to join our Men in the Premier division and play at that level week in and week out.  We now have 4 games in which to prove it.  Bring it on!!