Slough lose to local rivals

by Mike Haymonds

SLOUGH Ladies suffered a second successive defeat to a Reading team boosted by the home return of their four current England internationals, which dropped Slough a place to fifth.
Slough had strikers Nicola White and Lauren Penny back after a post-Commonwealth Games rest and shoulder injury respectively but they were without defender Mandy Nicholson with a knee injury.
It was a highly entertaining game and the final score somewhat flattered Reading.
But they were the better team as Slough skipper Fiona Greenham admitted: “We were outplayed. They played very well and deserved to win.”
Slough did not win a single penalty corner while Reading won eight and converted four although Greenham felt that two were “fortuitous” goals.
“We did not play the ball through the midfield (where Reading’s playmaker Helen Richardson was influential) and gave away possession too often,” she said.
Slough made an early impact when a determined run by Louise Bevan took her into the D where she was crowded out.
Slough keeper Becky Duggan made a point-blank save from former Slough player Anna Bennett but she had no luck at Reading’s first corner in the 18th minute, first saving but then unable to keep out the rebound to which Sam Quek got a final touch.
Slough equalised six minutes later with the best goal of the game when Ashleigh Ball’s hit into the D was deflected by Alex Scott high past England keeper Beth Storry.
Duggan again saved point-blank from Jo Ellis and then got down to block an Emily Maguire corner strike before Reading regained the lead in the final minute of the half from a Kate Walsh corner.
Reading dominated the second half with an Alex Danson backhand shot saved by Duggan before a Reading stick deflected a fifth corner over the bar.
Their lead was extended in the 56th minute when Rebecca Halle converted a sixth set-piece, helped by a deflection from Hannah Coulson.
Slough’s woe was compounded with a minute to go when a second Walsh corner strike flew past Duggan via Scott’s stick to complete her double deflection at both ends.
SLOUGH: Duggan, Cunningham, Strong, Coulson, Bell, Scott, Greenham, Ball, Bevan, Archer, Bowe. Subs: Penny, White.