READING MEN returned to action with a narrow defeat in the Premier Division at home to Old Georgians.
Following the mid-season split of the top and bottom halves of the premier division, sixth placed Reading were always destined to be the whipping boys in their five matches against the teams above them vying for places in Europe, so resolved to develop a more attacking style of play in readiness for the final phase of the season when winning games would be a more realistic prospect.
This would inevitably leave them more exposed at the back but, with premier division status secured for next season, it was a strategy worth pursuing.
Hosting the free-scoring and table topping Old Georgians stuffed full of England and GB international players was the most daunting prospect of all, and Reading will be delighted that they gave their visitors a real run for their money and maintained parity until near the end of the game.
The first half was goalless, with Chris Wyver in Reading’s goal saving anything that OGs could throw at him, and the visitors were beginning to lose their composure and rhythm in the face of Reading’s determination to compete in midfield, with Matt Richards and Fred Newbold both making frequent inroads into OG’s defence and causing them real problems.
Both teams searched for moments of brilliance, but visits to the sin bin by players from both teams became a feature as they tried to break down play to stop their opponents from breaking free up the pitch.
The deadlock was eventually broken when OG’s scored from a penalty corner, but Reading refused to lie down and kept coming back in waves to threaten the visitors defence, which eventually resulted in them winning a penalty corner of their own.
Their first shot was well saved by OG’s George Pinner, but the ball fell kindly to the unflappable Adam Pescod who calmly struck the ball low and hard into the net to level the scores.
Both teams kept attacking to try to find a winner, and OGs were awarded a penalty stroke.
Another GB international player, Sam Ward, stepped up to take the penalty, but his high flick was brilliantly turned over the bar by the inspired Chris Wyver in Reading’s goal.
This only served to energise both teams, and the match was finally settled by a goal that all spectators wish was scored by their team, but can only applaud when it is scored against their team.
It was certainly worthy of winning any hockey match – a high and long diagonal aerial pass from left to right being expertly taken down high above his head just inside the circle by yet another GB star.
It was Albery this time who, with superb hand to eye co-ordination and technique, met the dropping ball on the half volley and smashed an unstoppable shot past Wyver in the Reading goal to take all three points from the game.
While disappointed to lose in the immediate aftermath of the game, Reading acquitted themselves very well against a team with more recognised stars on paper, chasing the title and in good form.
They will look back on the game as a tremendous performance rather than a loss, which will stand them in good stead for the final phase of the season as well as giving them confidence for next season.
Report by Ronan Daffey
