Deja vu

Another away day in Oxfordshire ended in disappointment after conceding three goals early on gave Reading too much to do.
This time, against the league leaders Reading bossed the opening exchanges with some free flowing hockey. Toby Pratt was passing the ball with pace and accuracy from the back and the midfield, with Reiss Simpson, back from his travels were running things. Very much against the run of play Oxford took the lead from a break which gave the Oxford forward a one on one with Steve Thurlbourne again deputising in goal. Thurlbourne had no chance with a good finish in to the bottom corner.
For the next ten minutes Reading over committed and succumbed to another two goals that could almost have been carbon copies of the first. Reading gave themselves a lifeline when a ball into the D from Ahmet Tuney was deflected, bounced and was volleyed in by Simpson on the turn.
Reading went in to the second half confident that they could exert pressure on Oxford's defence and after some great passing hockey Chris Priddle crashed home his fourth goal of the season to get Reading to within one goal of the home team. Oxford managed the pressure well and when the home keeper made a double save from Nic Barton Reading's best chance of getting back into the game came and went. A final goal from Oxford ensured that the home team would stay top of the table. Reading will need to put their heads together and find ways of getting the results that they need to start moving up the table.