Men's 2XI v Reading(5)3XI

Leighton Buzzard HC Mens 2nd Team 2 - 2 Reading HC Mens 3rd (5) Team

Having taken a number of positives from last week's game against the league leaders, Leighton Buzzard looked to start the game on the front foot. However it was Reading who took the early initiative but the back three of Ollie Parren, Tim Bellamy and David Wavish were ably supported by David Canty that ensured they were limited to only a handful of half chances. As the game developed, Buzzard came more into the game with some superb interplay pinning Reading back in their own half. It was only a matter of time until the pressure told and some intricate play between Stuart Retford and Craig Westley set up Methi Man of the Match Fraser Retford who took an instinctive strike on goal that somehow found it way in after a dummy from David Jackson. Buzzard held the advantage to half time where the captain reminded the team not to let their standards drop.

Unfortunately Reading came out strong at the start of the second half transferring the ball well and stretching Buzzard's defence. A number of short corners resulted. The miss control by the Reading striker at the drop of the D threw the Buzzard defence and duly resulted in a tap in on the post following a series of short passes. After this, the game became end-to-end with chances for both teams to take the lead. It was Reading that finally took one of these chance with Buzzard down to 10 men following Parren's green card for dissent.

With time running out and Buzzard looking for the elusive equaliser, Bellamy was pushed by a Reading defender that resulted in a short corner. The first routine was blocked; however the ball ricocheted onto a Reading defender's foot. With the next short corner Bellamy made no mistake, finishing with aplomb into the bottom corner to make the score 2-2.

Another good team performance by Buzzard, taking a point from a side currently third in the league. They will look to build on it when they face Newbury and Thatcham at Vandyke next week.