It started with a cold morning at Sonning Lane, with a game of Tetris to fit all the hockey gear in the smallest of boot spaces!
The ladies cup team travelled to RAF Halton to play Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead for their round 1 cup tie.
With no one in sight and locked changing rooms, Cheese was sent to the RAF barrier to find human life - instead she answered their ringing phone! ☎️

Reading started the first 10 mins with a good tempo but nothing to report....

Some strong tackles from Holly and Emma saw us regain possession, and Jess picked up the ball on the D and spun so the slowest trickle saw the ball cross the line. Berko then had four corners all shut down by the Reading defence. HT 1-0

Knowing we could play better, Reading found some energy and kick started the second half with some much need intensity and tempo. Ellie won a PC and a drag to the far post saw Alys pick up the slowest deflection ever and nutmeg the keeper.

Thirty seconds later Jess went from CB to CF running through the defence and scoring a well taken goal. 3-0 to the Ding.
Reading were having fun and playing some amazing passes - Ellie picked up the ball and creamed the ball to the top corner off one foot just like a flamingo! It was harmonic like Strawberries and Cream! ?

Five minutes later and some transfers around the back with Sophie and Anna, we worked the ball through to Peggy up the line and on to Ellie who slotted the ball to the back post for Zoe to tap it home without a banana skin slide too! ?

Berko had a couple of short corners and a double one on one saves from Fran kept the Reading girls in with clean sheet and some strong defensive tackles from Jess and Holly.

Final 10 minuted saw Alys in the D slotting a drag to the kicking back’s left foot.

MoM went to Holly for playing well, and direct passing into the D.

DOD went to Fran for turning up with face paint still on and her entry into the champagne nostril Olympics. ??
Final Score 6-0

Champagne and beer celebrations see us head into Round 2! ??