Reading got off to a great start in the wet conditions at the Nottingham Hockey Centre, scoring two goals in 21 minutes. City of York were a strong team and had several chances to score, but Reading kept a clean sheet at half-time due to some heroic goal keeping.
The crowd played their part with some positive encouragement for both sides.
At the start of the second half Reading scored a quick goal, which seemed to ignite City of York, who hit back with two quick goals within 11 minutes, setting up a nail-biting finish.
Play was frantic and a little unstructured as the teams battled for possession and fatigue started to settle in. There was goal mouth action at both ends!
Reading secured the win with two late goals in the 60th and 70th minutes to win 5 – 2.
This was a great experience for the girls taking part in the England Hockey Finals weekend. Congratulations to them.
Pathway to the Finals:
10th Oct lost to Marlow on penalty flicks after 1-1 draw at FT in the Cup Competition taking Reading into the Plate competition to face very strong opposition from other big clubs.
19th Nov beat Hampstead & Westminster 3-2 on penalty flicks after 1-1 at FT
4th Feb beat Team Bath Buccaneers 3-1 at FT
25th Feb walk over against Haslemere
17th Mar Reading reached the Plate Final with a win over Guildford 3 -2 shuffles after a 4 -4 FT thriller of a semi final.