Lost 1-2
Scorers: Dave Sharp
MoM: Everyone
DoD: None
Canterbury travelled on Sunday to face reigning EHA 050s champions Reading in the last 16 of the EHA cup.
Reading started strongly pressing Canterbury and creating some early half chances, but the defence held firm and we started to get some possession in midfield and threaten them on the break. Canterbury then briefly switched off leaving a Reading forward with a free shot 5 yards out but Trigger pulled off a blinding save to keep us level. Canterbury continued to press with Ollie and Judgey pulling the strings in midfield, and the pressure led to Barry eventually bundling home a goal. Unfortunately the umpire who had awarded the goal reconsidered in his own head by the time we had all lined up for the restart and decided the goal should be disallowed for a backstick ( which Baz assured us did not occur). Chances came and went for both sides, but Canterbury were undone on the stroke of half-time when our own PC broke down and Reading speedily broke the full length of the pitch to score .. 0-1 down at half time.
Canterbury were confident we could get back into the game, but a change of formation by Reading at half time was not recognised quickly enough, leading to Reading having an overlap and an extra free man in the circle who slapped home a hard finish for 0-2. Canterbury did not let heads drop and continued to move the ball nicely and open Reading up, with aerials from Judgey creating space and breaking their press. Canterbury got a goal back through Sharpy bundling the ball past the keeper from a yard after good work down the right. Despite several PCs Canterbury could not get the equaliser, with the match ending 1-2.
Everyone in the 13 played exceptionally well, with full commitment, against a very tough side who rotated their 16 constantly. Well done all … and let’s make sure we win it next year!