Reading survived their first match of the 2009-10 EuroHockey League in Barcelona yesterday despite going one behind in the early minutes of their Round 1a encounter against French side CA Montrouge. Nicolas Gailliard's 18th minute goal gave Montrouge the lead, but two penalty corner strikes in three minutes from England international Richard Mantell put the Berkshire side ahead.
The match was virtually decided during a ten minute period at the start of the second half, when four goals were scored in ten minutes. A penalty stroke award converted by another England international, Jonty Clarke, gave Reading a 3-1 lead, but Montrouge replied immediately from Olivier Sanchez. Richard Mantell's brother, Simon, restored the two goal lead soon after from open play.
Montrouge's Tom Cariolet scored the final goal of the match on 45 minutes and the match ended 4-3 in Reading's favour.
Reading's next match is against Spanish side Atletic Terrassa, who crashed out unexpectedly in Round 1 in Lille last year. The match is scheduled for Sunday, whilst the other Pool B match, between Terrassa and Montrouge takes place later today.
Other results yesterday:
Pool H: UHC Hamburg 4 Glenanne 1
Pool G: Pembroke Wanderers 2 Kelburne 0
Pool E: RC de Polo de Barcelona 7 Dinamo Kazan 2
No other English clubs are participating in Round 1a. Beeston and East Grinstead are due to play their Round 1b matches in Paris in two weeks time. TalkHockeyRadio will be there.
