L1: Doncaster 1 Reading 3

Reading successfully negotiated their final trip up the M1 for the season and returned with all 3 points to keep the pressure on 2nd placed Sunderland. This was a dank and miserable day, and with several of the squad ill or under par, the hockey on display was not the finest seen this season but a resolute and disciplined performance brought Reading their reward.

Reading were able to settle themselves thanks to an early goal by Emily Malden who followed up well after the Doncaster keeper saved to crack the ball high into the net. Doncaster then exerted a spell of pressure on Reading, who struggled to control possession and midfield allowing Doncaster the opportunity to counter attack. Player of the match Marianne Hood was an enormous presence in defence, and keeper Lucy Stevenson came narrowly behind her in the voting, indicating the work done at the centre of the Reading defence to keep the home side out.

The pressure was relieved somewhat by another skilful finish after 25 minutes much to the chagrin of Doncaster and in particular their supporters, whose vocal encouragement turned distinctinctly unsavoury. Unfortunately this didn’t really help their team who adopted the crowd’s sense of injustice and began to lose their discipline as a result, and resorted to the tactics of trying to strong arm Reading off the park. This was disappointing as Reading are not a soft side who will easily buckle under such tactics, and so proved self-defeating and much less threatening to Reading then some of Doncaster’s more enterprising play.

Reading started the second half stronger and forced a series of penalty corners. They finally converted one in the 45th minute when Vicky Bryant tipped in at the post, bringing her a welcome goal. Reading now had a comfortable lead, fortunately as their energy levels began to succumb to the effects of the germs and the cold, and Doncaster refocused and started to play again.

The Yorkshire side managed to pull one back in the 54th minute when Ali Pope missed Izzy Shelswell’s shot fooling Lucy Stevenson in the process. Reading began to lose the ball in the midfield again, allowing Doncaster to attack dangerously from the left, and their creative midfield players threatened to run riot but Reading intercepted and tackled well. it certainly wasn’t pretty, and at times it was desperate, but it was a strong performance in the circumstances and one that still keeps the mathematical possibility of promotion alive.

Reading must win their two final games after the Eater break and hope that results go in their favour, particularly when the top two clash in the next game. Reading’s last home game of the season is on Saturday 29th MArch against Barnes Hounslow Ealing (13:30).