Magnets Dominate Against Reading Supervets
By Mark Waller
Magnets 4 – 0 Reading Supervets
Scorers: Corney (2), Michael, Green
Team: Frost, Waller, Green, Beaney C, Michael, Corney, Sharpe, Dowthwaite, Todd, Lane, Wingfield, Hardy, Beaney R, Jackson,
Umpires: Borrow & Haycroft
Buoyed by last week’s win against Brombecks the Magnets approached this match with a degree of confidence, but mindful that Reading are a team we have traditionally struggled against. But it was a strong squad that assembled at the unfamiliar surrounds of Oaken Lane and we had every reason to believe that we could put up a good fight.
In the event, we were too strong for a depleted Reading side. We dominated possession in the first half but failed to get the breakthrough, partly because we were trying to play too many passes through their defenders rather than use the width of the pitch, and partly because we lacked shape and were guilty of chasing the ball too often.
These issues were ironed out at half time and we were so much better after the restart. Realising that we could utilise the space and the ball better we soon found ourselves threatening the Reading goal. The opener came from a fantastic flowing team move that started in defence and built up down the right flank. Chris timed his final pass perfectly and Greeno was on hand to tuck the ball away skilfully. The second soon followed, as Luke flicked the ball into the net calmly and with aplomb after a bit of a goalmouth scramble.
Our domination was starting to pay off and the 11 man Reading squad were becoming increasingly stretched and finding it hard to pick up our attackers. But it took two good pieces of individual skill and clean finishing from Howard to finally put the result beyond doubt.
On a tricky and slippery surface this was a decent performance and puts us second in the league as we enter a ridiculously long winter break, with our next match due to take place on 22nd January. Hopefully, we will get the opportunity to play some friendly fixtures in the meantime.
Huge thanks to Ray and Tony for umpiring. Thankfully there was no repeat of last week’s histrionics, but having two quietly authoritative umpires made a difference this time around.