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Sat 22 Oct 2016 ·  MBBO Division 4
Men 5West Hampstead 5
4
1
Back to Winning Ways
Jeremy Sandell24 Oct 2016 - 09:12
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Men's 3s reshuffle the pack to find a winning formula
Another 'new look' team with five season debutants were set three objectives for the visit of West Hampstead. The points.
Reading started briskly and dominated play but found West Hampstead stubborn opponents and their goalkeeper in inspired form. With club stalwart Paul Hayes and former Next Generation colt Oscar Gaff driving the midfield Reading were able to control possession but despite great chances falling to Chris Wright and Cam Ellis Reading were unable to find an opening in the first half. Henry Saxby in goal had little to do. West Hampstead's solitary Penalty Corner coming from a Reading error that sent a ball high into a West Hampstead player. Oscar Gaff running one was able to nick the ball and the danger passed.
The second half saw Reading's dominance turned into goals. West Hampstead were penalised for a robust challenge in the 23 and from the resulting Penalty Corner Gaff got good whip to put the ball hard and low. Reading soon doubled the lead when a stinging shot from Archie Sweeting was saved by the keeper but forced home from close range by Chris Wright.
Reading were dominating the game and playing some great hockey, passing the ball well through the lines and carrying the ball with conviction. Nevertheless the defence were unable to deal with a rare West Hampstead opportunity; Saxby cleared an innocuous ball to a West Hampstead forward who finished well into the far corner.
Reading were in no mood to let West Hampstead back into the game and following good play from Hayes Reading were awarded another Penalty Corner which Gaff dragged, the number one runner touched and the West Hampstead keeper, wrong footed, saw balloon the net for Reading's third. There was one more to come when, following good work in the D, Cam Ellis coolly slotted home to give the scoreline an emphatic feel.
There were strong performances all round, Doug Whittaker in midfield had a strong performance and Nick Barton, still at stand-in Left Back bossed his side of the pitch. The six under 16s all played a part in a strong team performance and the group played some of their best hockey so far this season.
So with those objectives achieved onwards and upwards with Oxford University next up.
Reading started briskly and dominated play but found West Hampstead stubborn opponents and their goalkeeper in inspired form. With club stalwart Paul Hayes and former Next Generation colt Oscar Gaff driving the midfield Reading were able to control possession but despite great chances falling to Chris Wright and Cam Ellis Reading were unable to find an opening in the first half. Henry Saxby in goal had little to do. West Hampstead's solitary Penalty Corner coming from a Reading error that sent a ball high into a West Hampstead player. Oscar Gaff running one was able to nick the ball and the danger passed.
The second half saw Reading's dominance turned into goals. West Hampstead were penalised for a robust challenge in the 23 and from the resulting Penalty Corner Gaff got good whip to put the ball hard and low. Reading soon doubled the lead when a stinging shot from Archie Sweeting was saved by the keeper but forced home from close range by Chris Wright.
Reading were dominating the game and playing some great hockey, passing the ball well through the lines and carrying the ball with conviction. Nevertheless the defence were unable to deal with a rare West Hampstead opportunity; Saxby cleared an innocuous ball to a West Hampstead forward who finished well into the far corner.
Reading were in no mood to let West Hampstead back into the game and following good play from Hayes Reading were awarded another Penalty Corner which Gaff dragged, the number one runner touched and the West Hampstead keeper, wrong footed, saw balloon the net for Reading's third. There was one more to come when, following good work in the D, Cam Ellis coolly slotted home to give the scoreline an emphatic feel.
There were strong performances all round, Doug Whittaker in midfield had a strong performance and Nick Barton, still at stand-in Left Back bossed his side of the pitch. The six under 16s all played a part in a strong team performance and the group played some of their best hockey so far this season.
So with those objectives achieved onwards and upwards with Oxford University next up.
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