Reading cruised to a comprehensive 5-0 victory against Cookstown from Northern Ireland in their opening match of Round One of the Euro Hockey League in Brasschaat near Antwerp this afternoon.
Richard Mantell converted two penalty corners for a 2-0 interval lead. The second one, which went in off the underside of the bar, was an absolutely superlative effort. Andy Watts increased the lead with an open-play hat-trick scored in a twenty minute spell in the second half. Jonty Clarke, who played in midfield and made a scintillating run for Watts’ second goal, shot wide earlier when well placed, and Iain Mackay also wasted a good scoring opportunity. Reading had five penalty corners and, although Mantell put one wide, two others were well saved by Ian Hughes.
Reading have a day off before meeting Amsterdam but will have qualified for the last sixteen unless Cookstown beat Amsterdam on Saturday.
Richard Mantell converted two penalty corners for a 2-0 interval lead. The second one, which went in off the underside of the bar, was an absolutely superlative effort. Andy Watts increased the lead with an open-play hat-trick scored in a twenty minute spell in the second half. Jonty Clarke, who played in midfield and made a scintillating run for Watts’ second goal, shot wide earlier when well placed, and Iain Mackay also wasted a good scoring opportunity. Reading had five penalty corners and, although Mantell put one wide, two others were well saved by Ian Hughes.
Reading have a day off before meeting Amsterdam but will have qualified for the last sixteen unless Cookstown beat Amsterdam on Saturday.
