v Reading, (Away), 18/11/07.
Lost 0 – 3
A brave effort could not prevent Canterbury sliding to a 3-0 defeat to league leaders Reading.
With the home side having achieved victory on all of their previous outings this season, Canterbury knew that they would need to be at their very best to take anything from the game.For 67 minutes the visitors staunchly held their opposition, largely thanks to a strong performance in goal by Adrian Kimber, but were unable to convert any of the chances they created.Two late goals by the home side finally removed any hopes Canterbury had of snatching a point and preserved Reading’s impressive record.
Aware that their chances would be few, Canterbury failed to convert all that they did produce.A brace of penalty corners, missed opportunities at the back post and a breakdown in communication accounted for the visitors openings.However, with Kimber in fine form it wasn’t until Austin Smith’s two penalty corner efforts in the last three minutes adding to Warren D’Souza’s 20th minute strike that the result was decided.
A swift sweeping move by the home side presented D’Souza with the chance to tap into an empty net but Canterbury were able to regroup and produced their best chance of the game which ended in Simon Hare and Chris Bassano-Harper both attempting to shoot and ultimately denying each other any connection with the ball.
Reading posed a constant threat and were able to control dealings for the majority of the game.Their best efforts were either wasted or found Kimber equal to the task.The tension rose towards the end of the game as Canterbury created half chances, but the home side sealed the win they deserved late on in the proceedings.
Bowdon’s defeat of Hampstead leaves Canterbury bottom of the pile once more, but helps to keep Hampstead in the relegation battle.Next week sees Canterbury take on Cannock at Polo Farm in the now seemingly habitual President’s Day game.
Squad: Barratt, Bassano-Harper, Butcher, Cowling, Dowsing, Dunn, Farrer, Hare S, Harper, Hayward, Hudson, Keir, Kimber, Pedersen, Pryce C, Pryce R.