In what may turn out to be a “winner takes all” promotion decider, Reading eventually ran out worthy and comfortable winners against Canterbury.
Despite still missing some key players through injury and unavailability, With only one game left to play, they are now three points clear of Canterbury with a much better goal difference so it would take quite a turnaround for their fortunes to be reversed.
Reading started well and always seemed to be in control of the game even when it was being played mainly in midfield as both teams sought out weaknesses in their opponents that could be exploited to create an opening.
While Canterbury rarely found their way into a threatening position, Reading started pushing higher and higher up the pitch, and their determination was rewarded when a slick passing move ended with Toby Heywood Bourne sliding in to connect with a fast and accurate cross from the left.
Sensing their moment of domination, Reading continued to press forward and there were a series of goalmouth scrambles where the final touch eluded the forwards before their star midfielder Nick Parkes showed them how to finish with a deft shot past the diving goalkeeper.
The first quarter of the match ended with Reading two goals up and fully in command, but they knew that Canterbury would come back out with all guns blazing to try to get a foothold in the game.
Halfway through the second quarter, Canterbury’s sporadic efforts were rewarded with a scrappy goal, which Reading keeper Chris Wyver later described as soft, to halve the deficit, and nerves started to jangle in the Reading camp, more because it had seemed unlikely than that their opponents were taking more control, which they weren’t.
Those nerves were emphatically put back in their box when, on the stroke of half time, their penalty corner specialist Connor Beauchamp rammed home his first and Reading’s third goal to restore their two goal advantage.
The remainder of the game was controlled by Reading, now in game management mode, with the exciting and energetic Ryan Crowe causing the Canterbury defence multiple problems as he constantly surged up the pitch to take the ball well out of the way of any danger.
Freddie Newbold, too, showed maturity and composure to keep Reading in control, and Nick Parkes was always on hand to snuff out any embryonic attacks, and regain possession for his team.
There was a minor scare when captain Olly Deasy, returning after injury, was sent to the sin bin for five minutes after breaking down play to stop a Canterbury breakaway, but this was soon followed by a Canterbury played joining him for a dangerous intervention in a desperate attempt to score.
As the final whistle blew, the Reading players embraced each other to celebrate their victory which should assure them of promotion back to the top flight of English hockey.
At the end of a weekend in which Reading Ladies had assured themselves of promotion back to the top level with a draw against Surbiton, it will be one that lives long in the memory of all members of the club who are so proud of what their stars have achieved over a long season.
By Ronan Daffey
