A point enough for Reading

by Patrick Rowley (1.11.2009)

Reading, the English Cup holders, dropped their first points of the season in the England League when held to a goalless draw by Beeston at Nottingham.

A point was enough, however, to take Reading back to the top of the premier division, ahead of Surbiton on goal difference.

Reading played like a side that had been stuck on the motorway and did well to come away with a point. They could thank their international goalkeeper Nick Brothers for that.

Too many unforced errors helped towards an exciting game which could easily have finished with a hatful of goals. Shooting and corner drills were poor but both goalkeepers made class saves.

Beeston, who were more impressive qualifiers than Reading for the EuroLeague quarter finals, should have won this battle of last year’s
cup finalists to climb up from their lowly 7th place in the league.

Their striker Chris Seddon was the unluckiest player. He hit the post twice and felt certain he should have won a second half stroke when his stick was impeded as he was about to shoot.

He also had a good chance to seal the game in the last 10 seconds.

Saddest sight was England’s Simon Mantell being carried to the dressing room after sustaining a leg injury.

If goals were missing at Beeston, there were plenty at East Grinstead where the home side strengthened their hold on third place by beating struggling new comers Exeter University 6-3 after trailing 3-0.

copy for Sunday Express 1.11.2009