Reading move into Euro Hockey League semi-finals
James Walker-Roberts • Published 28 Apr 2011 09:30
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Celebrate: Reading Hockey Club won on penalties against the Dragons.
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READING Hockey Club made history this week by becoming the first English team to make it through to the final four of the Euro Hockey League.
Following their 5-3 win over East Grinstead in the round of 16, Reading beat Belgian Champions KH Dragons in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to book a semi-final date with Club de Campo of Madrid on June 11, with the venue yet to be announced.
Reading started strongly against the Dragons and went ahead when a shot by Andy Watts was helped over the line by Warren D'Souza.
The Belgian side drew level in unusual circumstances when a high ball into the Reading circle went in off the foot of Rhys Joyce, pictured right, which is classed as an own goal in the Euro League rules.
Iain Mackay restored Reading's advantage after the break but Dragons scored a dramatic equaliser with less than a minute remaining to send the match to extra time.
Neither team were able to score in the two five-minute silver goal periods and the match went to penalties, with each attacker starting on the 25-yard line and having eight seconds to beat the goalkeeper.
Reading went ahead through Jonty Clarke and looked to be set for victory when Nick Brothers saved Dragons' first penalty.
However, Simon Mantell failed to score and Dragons drew level, only for Iain Mackay to put the English side ahead again with the third penalty.
In a fittingly dramatic conclusion to the match, Brothers held up the Dragons player and even though his shot found the net the whistle had gone for the eight second time limit.
The decision went to video appeal and was eventually ruled out, sparking celebrations amongst the Reading players and fans.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 28 Apr 11
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