Making It Count

I've said before that I'm not the biggest fan of artificial pitches. However, the way our weather is these days, they are becoming a necessity. The case was proven again this Sunday, with games getting called off across the region, it was mainly games on artificial surfaces that survived (with the exception of Penn & Tylers Green). However, having already decided on my chosen venue, I set off down the M40 for the Premier League clash between Reading and Beaconsfield Town. Something of a strange away fixture for Beaconsfield, given that Reading's current home, at Slough Town's Arbour Park, is actually closer to Beaconsfield than Reading.
The hosts would no doubt be on a high after ending Wycombe's long unbeaten run last weekend. Beaconsfield had also won their last two games, scoring nine goals in the process.  In the second week of the season, the reverse fixture ended 2-1 to The Rams with a late Katie Riddington goal sealing the points. 
Coming into the game only five points separated Beaconsfield, in third, from Reading in sixth. However, The Royals had there games in hand on today's visitors.
I arrived at Arbour Park to be greeted by the sight of Beaconsfield's Marketing manager, Craig Anderson, demonstrating keepy-uppy skills whilst operating a camera. Impressive. It's always great to have a chat with Craig when we meet up and today I was also thankful that he can keep count better than I can (more of that later).
Thanks to Craig and Reading's media team, who both posted teams to X before kick-off.

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Reading celebrate taking the lead

​What was to become a very tight half with few clear-cut opportunities, started with a half-chance at both ends. Within the first minute Emmi Tong had a strike on target that made sure Sophie Cheadle was fully focussed. Two minutes later, Henna Hussain drove into the right side of the box before squaring to Isabella Ellis who put her effort just wide of the mark.
Following those two efforts, the game fell into a well contested midfield battle. The next real opportunity fell to Reading when Georgia Hayes used her strength to fend of a challenge, spin and fire goalward. Once again Cheadle was well positioned to make the save. Just past the midway point it was Reading's keeper Sophie Butler's turn to show her skills, pushing Molly Carter's stinging effort out for a corner. Alix Todd then drifted over the corner, seeing the ball clip the top of the bar on its way out of play.
Just on the half-hour mark came the incident that turned the game in favour of the home side when Ashleigh Harte's mis-timed tackle sent Keren Banduka sprawling, earning the Rams' centre-half a yellow card. Jasmine King swung the dead-ball into the heart of the Beaconsfield penalty area and, when it dropped invitingly into the path of captain Mia Parker, she made no mistake with the finish. 1-0
Aside from a delightful cross from Poppy Whitburn that narrowly evaded Hayes at the far post, there were few further goals opportunities at either end, before the referee blew for half-time, giving everyone the chance to head inside to warm up a little.

HT Reading 1 Beaconsfield Town 0. A half of very few clear-cut chances. The big chance fell to Mia Parker and she took it expertly. The game, however, hung in the balance.

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Beaconsfield on the attack

​Once more, the opening minutes of the second period were not blessed with big opportunities. Katie Riddington, who had buzzed around all match, did get a strike off just before the hour, but Butler was able to deal with it comfortably. The game was beginning to open up a little more now, but just as it felt that Beaconsfield were building up a little head of steam, they were caught out at the other end. Reading won a corner which was delivered into the box by King. Bethan Poole rose higher than anyone to power a downward header past Cheadle. 2-0.
Shortly after the goal, Lucy Bolitho got a head onto Tong's cross but could beat Cheadle and then two things happened in quick succession. Firstly substitute Nat Cowell took advantage of some hesitant play at the back from The Rams, slotting home the third goal for the Royals. 3-0. At the same time, I lost the ability to do basic maths, somehow calculating that 2+2 was, in fact, 2. Maybe it was the cold? By this time I couldn't feel my fingers, having neglected to bring gloves. Whatever the case, I had it in my head that it was 2-0. Luckily, Craig put me straight at the end of the game. It's a good job someone was paying attention.
With eight minutes remaining, Beaconsfield did manage to get a goal back. Henna Hussain thundered a strike off the under side of Butler's crossbar and Molly Carter was there to slot home the rebound. 3-1 (or 2-1 in my world).
For a minute or two Beaconsfield looked to have the bit between their teeth and, if they had managed to score again, it certainly could have asset up a grandstand finish. As it was, they couldn't find another goal and, four minutes into added time, were hit again when Tia Johnson put the Royals icing on the cake. 4-1

FT Reading 4 Beaconsfield Town 1. A second win on the bounce for Reading that sees them leapfrog Portchester into fifth spot. Beaconsfield stay in third but can be caught by three of the teams below them, who all have games in hand. In the end it was a deserved victory for Reading who made the most of their opportunities, although the 4-1 score-line was slightly harsh on the visitors.
Next weekend both teams are back in league action. Reading make the trip up the A34 to take on Oxford City at Marsh Lane. This will be their first meeting this season. Beaconsfield are back at Holloways Park as second placed Winchester City Flyers come to town. Flyers won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in October with goals from Chelsie Hay and a very late second from Annie Northwood.

Reading: Butler, Whitburn, Kez.Banduka, Thompson, Poole, Parker(c), Ker.Banduka, Hayes, Tong, Bolitho, King. Subs: Szekeres, Cowell, Fatri, Johnson, Rowden
Beaconsfield Town: Cheadle(c), Bloxham-Phillips, Smith, Harris, Harte, Messit, Need, Todd, Hussain, Riddington, Ellis. Subs: Lyon, Bartkowiak, Vettese, Carter, Wakefield


Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: 

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