After a great win in the opening weekend for Clifton Robinsons, they were looking to back up that result with a win on the road away to newly promoted Reading.
Clifton Robinsons started on the front foot with two penalty corners in the first quarter but were unfortunately unable to capitalise with a solid Reading corner defence showing no way through. Clifton Robinsons continued to dominate with a smart move from Livvy Hoskins stealing the ball from the Reading defence to provide a clear shooting opportunity at the top of the circle for Phoebe Richards which was tucked away nicely; unfortunately the goal was disallowed.
Reading responded with four penalty corners in quick succession which needed Captain Aline De Visser to pull out a number of smart saves. With both sides failing to find the back of the net in the first half Clifton Robinsons needed to step up a gear, which they did seeing two goals coming within 6 minutes of the second half.
A finely worked penalty corner routine saw Eloise Laity score her 2nd of the season in the 37th minute. The second goal came from a tidy counter down the left hand side for Catherine Macaulay to show her poacher’s instinct to poke the ball towards goal 1 yard out in the 41st minute. A lapse in concentration for the Bristol side in the final few minutes of the game saw Reading claim a goal back with a smart penalty corner routine, but the team hung on to secure a 2-1 victory.
Phoebe Richards
