Wed 19 Sept 2010
A tough match to open the season is what Manager Nick De-Long wanted, and a tough match he got. Reading fielded a strong team that included 4 players who have represented the first team this season as well as an England U20 Internationalist and an England U19 player. Added to this were several players that have played league football at a lower level.
The RAF team conceded the majority of the territory and possession, but maintained a good shape and pressed in numbers within their own half which prevented Reading from creating clear cut chances. The RAF players were working hard to compete and did on occasions stretch the opposition defence.
SAC Paul Millar at 6’7 created issues for the Reading backline, Sgt Mark Preston and Cpl Andy Brabbs were tenacious and competitive in midfield and did well when in possession and SAC Dixon and SAC Evans were nothing short of colossal in the defence during the first half.
HALF TIME: 0-0
A few tough words were conveyed to the Reading team at half time and they went straight on to the offensive after kick off. They moved the ball quicker from side to side and front to back to try and create the openings that they had been lacking in the first half. They were rewarded with 2 quick goals as the defensive efforts of the RAF team started to show in the player’s legs. Reading maintained a high tempo to their play, but the RAF team continued to try and play football and maintained good possession at various periods throughout the half.
It was testament to the efforts of the players and tactics of the RAF Manager, that despite several substitutions the RAF team continued to provide stubborn resistance for Reading. It was during the RAF teams best spell in the match, where they were camped inside the Reading half, that the opposition they broke and scored 2 late goals to put a generous outlook on the scoreline.
Eammon Dolan, the Reading manager for the day was extremely complimentary regards the RAF team and was particularly impressed by the discipline and shape that the team maintained.
FINAL SCORE: 4-0