Sevenoaks Hockey Club gave everything in an enthralling first half display worthy of the Premier League.
New to top flight Hockey this season, Sevenoaks were greeted on the Hollybush Lane pitch by over 200 supporters and a Reading side who looked eager to get going.
The visitors, who have played in the Premier League for over 10 years, came out at a roaring pace and if it wasn’t for goalkeeping sensation Richard Potton, Sevenoaks would have been five down by halftime. However, the rest of the players took his heroics to heart and played a great opening half, with some great goal scoring opportunities, and went in to the break at 0-0.
After the break, Reading, who had obviously been holding some in reserve, took the game to Sevenoaks and it wasn’t long before the got themselves on the scoreboard.
A few mistakes and bad passing crept into Sevenoaks’ game and it wasn’t long before the visitors doubled their lead.
Chances came and went for the home side’s strikers, but for more goalkeeping heroics at the other end.
Reading finally killed off the match with two more goals inside the last six minutes to take a 4-0 lead. Sevenoaks were not finished though with Andrew Ross popping up to score their first Premier League goal right on the whistle.
A great game for all those watching, maybe not the result we all wanted, but the potential is definitely there. Sevenoaks will need to learn from this opening match and keep their concentration for the full 60 minutes if they are to mimic their opponents in future fixtures.
We’re looking forward to the rest of the season already!
RESULT: Sevenoaks 1 (Ross) Reading 4 (Francis, Patel, Dolan Gray, Boon)