L1: Indoor EHL Week 2

Having already guaranteed promotion, Reading finished off the Indoor EHL Division 1 competition unbeaten at Whitgift School this weekend.

Reading 2- 2 Bradford Wakefield

Scorers:

Claire Kerr  (PC)

Emma Thomas (PC)

Reading let their standards slip in the first game of the final weekend, and it was clear that Bradford had something to play for, throwing everything they had at the game.

Reading took the lead with two Penalty Corner drag flicks from the top, Emma Thomas and Claire Kerr providing the goals. But in a largely disappointing performance, Reading failed to string passes together and were let down by some sloppy defending, allowing the Northerners back in the game in the final 10 minutes and letting in 2 goals to draw the game.

Reading 6 – 1 Liverpool

Scorers:

Emma Thomas 2

Becky Odlin

Claire Kerr 2

Emily Malden

It was a different story for the final game of the competition, with Liverpool needing a 5-0 win to stay safe from relegation. After a lacklustre first game however, Reading were determined to put in a performance that they could be proud of.

With player/coach Lisa Wooding out with an injury and 2 players missing from the weekend before, Reading played the 30 minute game with a squad of just 9.

Fitness and good organization was key, and Reading soon took control of the game, finding the net through Emma Thomas’s pin-point accuracy from a Penalty Corner flick. Liverpool had no answer to the fast hockey and tireless running from Reading, in particular midfield dynamo Laura Puddle was on form, stealing the ball from worn-out defenders and setting up numerous chances.

One touch hockey and clever passing soon resulted in goals from Emily Malden and Emma Thomas in open play before the half-time break.

Reading refused to take their foot off the gas in the second half and soon after the restart, a quick break away found Claire Kerr in the ‘D’, and a quick pass past the keeper allowed Becky Odlin to tuck away the 4^th with Kerr grabbing 2 herself to take the tally to 6. A lapse in concentration allowed Liverpool to grab a consolation goal, but they never really troubled the Reading defense, and Reading collected their winners medals with an unbeaten record and a goal difference of +22, having scored 34 goals in the competition.

Squad:

Lisa Wooding, Alex Smith, Laura Puddle, Liana Smith, Emma Thomas, Becky Odlin, Claire Kerr, Emily Malden, Clare Appleton, Alexa Kearns, Sarah Ellis.