L1A: Team Bath Buccaneers 0 Reading 1

Reading booked their place in the Quarter Finals of the England Hockey 2XI Cup with a 1-0 win away to Bath Buccaneers.
With a massive squad of 12 and conditions that were definitely not tropical Reading arrived at Bath and warmed up with a hike across the University campus dodging the triathletes in the process. But this was nothing compared to the miles that were covered searching in most of the 27 changing rooms until all the team found each other.

The team talk was short and punchy and with the message to ‘Man Up’ Reading knew what they had to do and the game was underway.

Reading were rarely in danger at the back but couldn’t create much up the other end to start with as things got bogged down in the middle of the pitch. Reading looked better when they kept things moving and passed early and eventually began to exert a bit of pressure.

They thought they had taken the lead when they scored, but as the ball crossed the line the umpire failed to play advantage and blew for a short corner, leaving the game scoreless at half time.

The 2nd half was more of the same, and Reading thought they had scored again when the ball seemingly crossed the line and then got cleared by a Bath player. It looked like a goal to everyone but the umpires, and this was confirmed by Westie from her view sitting on the backboard!

With Reading having most of the pressure and Bath sagging back with several of their players behind the ball the 1a’s got a bit bogged down in the corners of the pitch. Eventually a free hit from Amy Sanders cleared the ball away from the crowd and found Alison Pope at the top of the D. Her reverse pass to the far post was on target and with Nicky West diving full stretch it looked like she’d score, but she was inches away from the ball – however Reading still took the lead as Hayley Munt was not far behind and she easily made contact to deflect the ball into the goal.

With around 20 minutes remaining Reading kept the lead and as the time ticked down they were largely in control of the game.

With seconds remaining Alison Pope urged the defence not to dive in as Bath had one last attack, and despite the efforts of Amy Sanders and Kirsty Reeman who were clearly wishing for extra time their chopper tackles went unpunished by the umpires and Reading finished 1-0 winners.

The Quarter Finals will see a repeat of last years match with Reading again facing Chelmsford. However the venues are reversed so Reading will enjoy a home fixture.

Last time round a solitary goal from Kirsty Reeman was enough to see them through to the Semi finals, and Reading will be looking for a repeat win for the tie, which is to be played on 7th February.

TEAM – Alexa Kearns, Pippa Massey, Kirsty Reeman, Katharine Pike, Amy Sanders, Mel Lennard, Alison Pope, Alex Marshall, Nicky West, Hayley Munt, Chloe Lyons, Lauren Woodwiss
MOST POPULAR NUMBER OF HOURS SLEEP – 9

LEAST NUMBER OF HOURS SLEEP – Badger (0 hours)

NUMBER OF PUBS IN WILTSHIRE THAT WERE SHOWING THE FOOTBALL AND SERVING FOOD – 0

NUMBER OF PUBS IN WILTSHIRE THAT WERE ACTUALLY OPEN AT ALL – 2

Date – 08/11/09

Opposition – Bath Buccaneers 2’s

Result – Won 1-0

Scorer –Hayley Munt