Reading Rascals 0 Reading Rovers 1

By Reading Hockey Club • Mar 28th, 2009 • Category: Match Reports, Rascals

So the Rascals went down to a solitary mid second half goal to Reading Rovers in their last game of the regular season. Although not happy with the defeat, it did nothing to detract from the fact that the Rascals finished in fourth place and therefore qualified for the end of season play-offs when they will meet table topping Richmond Lions next Saturday. Having lost twice to the Lions already this will be an interesting match especially if the Rascals convert the chances that will surely come their way.

Even without Cooke Major and Minor who were slithering down some slopes somewhere in Europe, the first half was all Rascals when they played some champagne hockey and which left the Rovers chasing shadows for long periods – it was just great to watch. The Rascals did everything – passed with pace, moved for each other, there were deft touches to lay the ball off and almost everything went as they wished except they did not score! True, a snap shot on the turn from Kane Hartland and a short corner strike hit the post but nothing went behind the Rovers’ ‘keeper and into the net.

Half time arrived, a team talk was held and then in the second half it took a long while for the Rascals to get going again – there was possession and a load of fiddling but gone was the snap of the first half. There were plenty of visits to the Rovers’ D but if there was a single shot on goal the crowd missed it. Sadly as on previous occasions, the Rascals went behind when they offered little challenge to about the only short corner the Rovers were awarded.

But it is not all doom and gloom – are the Rascals a better side now than when the season started? –the answer is definitely yes; have the players developed in confidence both individually and as at team? – again the answer is definitely yes; have they had some great moments? – absolutely. The one thing they need to work on is their shooting when in the D as it is goals that win games.

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One Response »

  1. Bandit on April 28th, 2009 at 7:32 pm:

    Special match report if not slightly one sided me thinks or was that the umpiring for this fixture ? Oh well look forward to the next thrilling inter club clash.

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