Following a strong performance away to Wimbledon last weekend, Reading returned to Sonning Lane with an all too familiar performance, as they let an early lead slip against one of the title favourites.

Despite a relatively even start to the game, Reading opened up an early two goal lead. In the 4th minute, John Jackson was first to react to a loose ball outside the Beeston circle, neatly controlling the ball over his head before surprising the Beeston keeper with an audacious upright reverse from close to the baseline. Ten minutes later and Reading were 2-0 up. Again, it owed much to the individual brilliance of Jackson, this time dispossessing Harry Martin in the midfield, neatly going past the last defender and arrowing a tomohawk in to the bottom corner as his angle narrowed. But these were rare moments to cheer for the home supporters in a game which in truth was dominated by the reigning champions, and following a period of concerted Beeston pressure, German schoolboy Paul Spies deflected home to halve the deficit.

The second half began much as the first half ended, with Reading struggling to build on their lead and inviting further pressure. Mid way through the half, Sam Ward took advantage of some poor defensive organisation to play the ball in to a dangerous area in front of the goal where Spies was again on hand to scramble home. The knock out blow was eventually delivered by Beeston skipper Adam Dixon, when the Reading penalty corner defence was finally penetrated with a powerful flick in to the roof of the net. With ten minutes left Reading pushed for an equaliser but a couple of late corners and a last gasp 1v1 opportunity came to nothing.

A disappointing game and Reading M1s now turn their attention to next weekend and and important double header versus HWHC.