L1: Clifton 0 Reading 2
By Reading Hockey Club • Mar 26th, 2010 • Category: L1, Match Reports21st March, 2010
Despite an impressive first 10 minutes, it was largely a scrappy and uninspired performance from Reading this weekend, who could only put two goals past Bristol side Clifton, currently second from bottom in the women’s EHL Premier Division.
Reading have been unable to recreate the consistent good form that characterised the first half of their season as the women’s EHL Premier Division draws to a close, but 3 points this weekend is enough to ensure that they only need a draw from their last game against Slough at home to secure 2nd place in the league.
The first five minutes of the match caught Clifton napping, as visitors Reading came out of the blocks with real energy and momentum, immediately putting the home side on the back foot and forcing saves from the ‘keeper.
It wasn’t long until Helen Richardson opened the scoring, managing to pick a potent reverse stick cross from Alex Danson out of the air in front of her nose to deflect it into an open net.
Danson continued to threaten up front for most of the game, her mazy runs and pace cut effortlessly through the Clifton midfield and defense. In the 29th minute, she grabbed Reading’s second goal, having made several defenders look foolish in the build up, she found Josie Inverdale on the right, who layed the ball back to her on to the top of the ‘D’ to finish off in style on her favoured reverse stick.
The second half was a less eventful affair, with Reading failing to string passes together and forcing the ball into congestion, much to the frustration of players, management and spectators alike.
Scottish international Emily Maguire, fresh off the plane from a training session over the border was outstanding at the back to keep out late surges from Clifton, who Reading let back into the game by turning over possession cheaply.
Reading will be glad to take another 3 points in their bid for a home-tie in their championship playoff semi-final, and next weekend that, and a place in their second consecutive EH Cup Final will be contested at Sonning Lane.
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