JO Ellis, the Reading Women’s player-coach, has started the new season where she left off last March when she netted five goals in as many games, writes Dave Wright.

Last Saturday, her solitary strike seven minutes from time was sufficient to secure a 1-0 win over Berkshire rivals Slough in their first ever Investec League Division One game at Sonning Lane.

With England international Amy Tennant back in goal, the Blues were also strengthened by the return of former captain and team doctor Emma Thomas who was working in Australia last year.

The hosts also benefited by having a 16-player squad, while Slough, relegated from the Premier Division, had only two players on the bench.

They have another home fixture this Saturday (4.30pm) when Cambridge City are the visitors.

Reading 2nds drew 2-2 at home to Spencer 2nds to earn their first South Clubs League Division One point following their 4-0 reverse at East Grinstead 2nds a week earlier.

Reading Men slumped to their second successive home defeat when going down 3-0 to the University of Exeter on Sunday.

The Blues, who had previously shipped 10 goals to Surbiton, held out until just before half-time when James Ferguson opened the scoring from a penalty corner.

They conceded another corner in the 58th minute which led to Sam Hooper doubling the lead and Exeter secured their first points of the season when George Carson netted two minutes before the end.

Reading are home again this coming Saturday (6.30pm) when the visitors are Holcombe, who will also be smarting following a 6-1 home drubbing last weekend at the hands of Hampstead & Westminster.

In MBBO Regional One, the all-Reading clash between the 2nds and 3rds ended in a 1-1 draw with Jamie Rawling and Huw Kimber the respective scorers.

A Regional Two derby saw Reading 4ths lose 2-1 to Sonning with Harry Mitchell and visiting pair Noel Plant and Pat Thomas getting the goals.