Ladies turn out for Heroes return

Reading ladies played in hockey for heroes charity match on Sunday at The Abbey school on Sunday.

With some friendly local faces on the heroes team we knew it would be a difficult game and by no means were we going to be too friendly, we play to win!

With new recruit Zoe Yates siding with Reading than her hero team mates it showed we leaned business and were out to score as many goals as we could. The first 10 minutes the heroes put the Reading defence under lots of pressure but the Reading team contained it well and played some simple hockey to move the ball up the pitch.

12 minutes in Zoe took a passing ball from Ellie Mann who slotted the ball under sliding Reading keeper Aurora Mears, who represented the heroes and reversed swept it home leaving both keeper and attacker in a heap on the floor - Reading took a 1-0 lead.

Some fine saves from Fran Harvey in the reading goal kept the blues in the lead until a well worked heroes short corner secured them level. Some strong defensive performances from Bev Thompson, Shannon Ross and Rachel Marriott helped the team contain a strong heroes attack.

Another heroes attack down the middle saw them take the lead into the half time break.

Reading started the second half with dominance and Cheesman, Boother and Mann number 2 all held the midfield and marked out the heroes. Some strong tackles from Annabelle and Tots helped mark out some of those secret national league players heroes sneaked into their team!

Reading had some lovely breaks down the wings and passed the ball effortlessly at times leading to some short corners. A practiced,Danson style dive from Lizzie Pegg saw a Reading pic taken well with cheers all round! 2-2

Heros were awarded a stroke , for a big foot from Shannon on the line - which took the score to 3-2.

A fine diving left glove save in the Reading goal from Fran and some solid defence play from Reading saw them keep the heroes having to earn their win and every attack.

With 10 minutes to go Heroes secured their win with a simple 2on1 routine and well taken goal.

Much deserved cause and hockey for heros will be touring in the coming months so please give them a huge Ding welcome when they return!