READING Men bounced back from their 5-0 hiding at Holcombe to defeat East Grinstead 3-1 under the Sonning Lane floodlights on Saturday evening, writes Dave Wright.

“This was a big result for because EG are of a similar standard to us, trying to cling on to the top four and stay away from the bottom group,” said head coach Jason Lee.

“The team was much more pragmatic compared to the previous week. They worked much harder in defence, keeping as many players as possible behind the ball.

“Their work rate went up 10 per cent which was good as it kept us in the game.”

Blues took the lead in the 13th minute following their first penalty, with Charlie Ellison providing the finishing touch.

“This was his first goal for us from a corner, which we are expecting him to do a lot more as the season progresses,” commented Lee.

Lee Morton doubled their advantage three minutes into the second half following an excellent move, only for East Grinstead to reply almost immediately through Tijn van Groesen.

The head coach continued: “There were a couple of times we could have managed the game a little bit better and conceding 30 seconds after scoring ourselves was an example of that.

“But they are mainly a young bunch of players and some of their game management will improve as they get more experienced.”

The visitors piled on the pressure as they searched for an equaliser, hitting the post on one occasion.

But Blues looked dangerous on the counter-attack and scored a superb third goal five minutes from time when Jack Clee picked the ball up in the deep and weaved his way past several defenders before producing an equally impressive finish past keeper Paddy Smith.

Reading are away to Surbiton this coming Saturday (5.30pm), their hosts having won three and drawn one of their opening four Premier Division games.

COACH Jo Ellis believes it won’t be long before Reading Women find their form.

They have lost their three opening games in the Investec Conference West, the latest being a 3-0 reverse at the hands of Gloucester City last Saturday.

“I’m a new coach to them with a new way of doing things, so it is taking time for the team to settle,” said Ellis.

“But the girls are working really hard in training and in games and I’m sure it won’t be long before the results start to come.

“They still have got the belief and will come out fighting next weekend.”

All three Gloucester goals came from penalty corners, including one which appeared to be going wide, only to be deflected off a Reading stick into the net.

Ellis commented: “They took their penalty corners well, but we had chances ourselves. It is about executing them at the right time, especially when we are on top in the game, and this is something we will be working on in training this week.”

Her side defended well in the first half and it wasn’t until the 41st minute when Tina Evans broke the deadlock.

Five minutes later, Charlotte McShane doubled her side’s lead and the same player added the third goal five minutes from time.

Reading will need to sharpen up their finishing as they have managed only one goal so far, and that came from an Ellis penalty stroke.

“We are looking at the decisiveness, composure and determination to turn our attacking play in goals,” added the head coach.

This Saturday, they travel to Devon to play the newly-named Exe side, who have drawn their last two games after losing the first. Reading could give a debut to new Aussie signing Tracey Johnson following a delay at England Hockey over her registration.