Hockey: Grinstead rue lack of forward power

 

East Grinstead were missing some key players as they went down 4-1 at home to leaders Reading when the National League premier division campaign resumed on Sunday.

 

Ashley Jackson and Darren Cheesman were not allowed to play by England Hockey, having returned last week from representing Great Britain under-20s at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

 

Ben Payne (illness) and Josh Cather (injury) were also absent for the first game back following the winter break.

 

Both sides showed signs of rustiness, despite some of Grinstead's players having been active during their indoor campaign, but the hosts were punished from short corners as Reading took a 3-0 lead into the interval.

 

Mark Pearn reduced the deficit from a short corner immediately after the restart and then wasted another good chance to make it 3-2 before Reading scored a fourth.

 

Manager Matt Jones said: "The scoreline belies a much tighter game. There was no lack of effort but a lack of finesse which we have come to expect and a lack of key players with three of our forwards missing, not to mention the fact that we haven't been able to train for two weeks because of the weather."