The two sides met in the play-off semi finals at the end of last season, when Beeston ran out 4-2 winners on their way to victory while Reading missed out on bronze.

“Beeston is always an important game, because they won the league last year,” said Reading Hockey Club new head coach Andy Watts. “We played them in pre-season and hope to have improved since then.

“We had a really good game last week and played superbly, it was probably our strongest performance of the season so far. So Beeston will be a very good test to see where we’re at now with a new coach, new captain and new faces.”

Push-back at Sonning Lane this Sunday is at 2.30pm.

Meanwhile, Reading Ladies could move into the top four if they beat visitors Beeston this Saturday and other results go in their favour. Push-back is at 1.30pm.

FOR REPORTS AND PICTURES SEED NEXT WEEK'S READING CHRONICLE.