READING Ladies captain Emma Thomas remains optimistic despite seeing her side rooted at the bottom of the Investec League table with just one point at the half-way stage of the season, writes Dave Wright.

Their 3-1 defeat by fellow strugglers Slough at Sonning Lane on Sunday was a massive blow to their hopes of staying in the Premier Division.

With just one point from nine games, they are five points worse off than second-bottom Bowdon Hightown and six adrift of Slough who are now up to eighth.

It is painful reading for the Blues, but Thomas, a doctor, believes her side can have a healthier future.

“Obviously, we were very disappointed to lose to Slough as it was a game we badly wanted to win,” she said.

“But we will stay positive. In the past, we have often been better in the second half of the season. I can remember once we were down in ninth place and we went on to win the league.

“I’m not saying we’re going to win the league this season, but I still think we are capable of picking up wins in the New Year.”

The Blues certainly fought hard against Slough, picking up a few knocks on the way. Frankie Roberts was taken to hospital with a knee injury, while Julie Whiting left the pitch holding an ice-pack to her head.

Thomas commented: “It was a bit rough out there, but then this was a local derby and a bottom-of-the-table clash.”

Reading also questioned decisions made by the umpires as club officials on the sidelines said they spotted infringements leading to both of Slough’s first-half goals, scored by Mel Ball, from an eighth-minute penalty corner, and Amy Sheehan after 27 minutes.

Thomas refused to be drawn in, but described them as two “soft goals” and added: “It was very hard to come back from 2-0 down.”

Blues did halve their deficit through Georgie Blackwood four minutes into the second half, but their hopes of getting back on level terms were ended by a second Ball goal on 50 minutes.

A little earlier, Mila Welch had given away a penalty but the 15-year-old goalkeeper redeemed herself by making a superb save from Amy Sheehan’s stroke.

Reading coach Mike Irving commented: “I can’t fault the effort our girls put in. They are young and still learning and the team is growing as a whole. But I don’t just feel we are getting the rub of the green at the moment. We need a change of luck.”

Blues are home again this Saturday (1.30pm) when the visitors are third-placed East Grinstead, who are unbeaten with five wins and four draws.

Reading Men

MONTY Jefferson had not scored a Premier Division goal for Reading HC before Sunday, but then, like London buses, two came along together.

And, with Tom Carson also on target, Blues beat Loughborough Students 3-1 to record their first league win in four games.

Jefferson said: “Obviously, I was very pleased with my goals. They have been a long time in coming, as I didn’t bag any for Reading last season.

“But little by little I have been training hard, putting the hours in, and its paid off at last. I hope they keep on coming. We’ve got half a season to go, so there will be plenty of more opportunities to get some more.”

Jefferson opened his account after 23 minutes and skipper Carson made it 2-0 six minutes into the second half.

Jefferson was celebrating for a second time on the hour mark, but Blues were unable to keep a clean sheet with Ed Horler scoring a late consolation goal for the Students, who remain pointless after nine games.

Reading created several other chances, but were denied by keeper Toby Reynolds-Cotterill, who showed why he is in the England under-21 squad for the Junior World Cup in India next month.

Player-coach Andy Watts was satisfied with the three goals, saying: “We took our chances which we haven’t been doing in the last couple of weeks.”

Reading remain fourth from bottom with half the fixtures completed, but are pulling away from the teams below them.

“We now have a bit of a buffer going into the second half of the season,” continued Watts. “It means we can keep pushing for a top-four place and not having to be too worried about the bottom three clubs.”

Blues are away to leaders Holcombe this Sunday (2pm) and could be missing several players, including Rick Mantell and new-father Dan Shingles.

Their delayed National Cup tie with Guernsey has been scheduled for Sunday December 11 (12.30pm push-back) at Sonning Lane.