Ladies 1A

L1A: Southgate 2 Reading 1 17/11/2007

I was asked to write a match report as the sole Reading supporter (and no idea of hockey rules and tactics) amongst the many Southgate supporters from the elevated balcony at a very chilly Southgate hockey club.
Reading lost a couple of players to the 1s but were out and playing with a passion from the first minute which gave Southgate who are top of the league quite a surprise.Every single player played individually and as a team with 100% committment and skill until the final whistle. With wave after wave of attack on the Reading goal the defence worked superbly and Helen in goal had save after save to make. Southgate eventually struck home from a well worked goal set up by ex Reading 1st team player Emma Kingstone much to the relief of their supporters. However this was short lived as Ash (I haven’t scored for 4 years!) slipped in from a Reading short corner. Southgate (and their supporters) looked panicky! One all at half time.
Reading came out with the same determination in the second half and were unlucky to concede another goal fairly early on. Both sides struck the bar in the match and although Southgate continued to bombard the Reading goal there were still a lot of attacks from Reading who did not let their heads go down. Badger made a superb job of containing Tat from Southgate who played for England u18s last year. Southgate were very relieved in the end and Reading were unfortunate and deserved a draw from one of the best team displays I have seen from them. If they continue with this style of play then they should have plenty of opportunities to pick up more points.
Sorry about the lack of hockey detail!
Helen’s Mum

Man of match Helen (no I did not rig that!)