WITH LATE WINNER

AT Reading Football Club’s home match against promotion seeking Watford last weekend there was one incident, a denied goal for Watford, that puzzled the home fans as much as the visiting supporters.

It came at a significant time of the match.

Watford had seemingly scored a goal that would put them 3-1 ahead in the match.

After the usual celebrations had taken place both on the pitch and on the filled terrace of away supporters, there came a hush around the stadium as the referee walked over to talk to his assistant referee.

This is unusual these days, because the referee and his assistants are wired up so they can speak to each other at any time during the match, with no need to converse at close range.

It was obvious however that the referee wanted some detailed clarification from his assistant.

The television coverage of the match showed what had caused this unusual action.

Matthew were all on the scoresheet. READING CITY continued their unbeaten record at the Rivermoor by seeing off London Lions.

Ellis Cowd and Eddie Lee netted in the 2-0 win to keep the pressure on league leaders Ascot. Reading are in second place with 48 points from 19 matches, seven points behind Ascot with a game in hand to play.

Combined Counties

Division One

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA claimed an important point away at title challengers

SANDHURST TOWN despite conceding a late goal.

Football

The Fizzers raced into an early lead, scoring with just two minutes on the clock, but Eversley struck back through Ben Catt to equalise.

The Boars then went in front just three minutes later with a Ross McKernan header.

Eversley were on the brink of taking an impressive win, but Sandhurst fired in an equaliser in the dying embers of the game to share the points.

BERKS COUNTY are in fourth after their thumping away win against London Samurai Rovers.

The Swords were in fine scoring form and took a 6-1 win thanks to braces from Matt Laverty, Les Sackey and strikes from Shaun Wyllie and Ellis Day.

WOODLEY UNITED lost out in a five-goal contest away to Hillingdon Borough.

Rafael Brando and Connor Richardson scored for the Kestrels, but they were unable to claim a result after they were beaten 3-2.

Thames Valley Premier League

FINCHAMPSTEAD picked up their eighth league win of the campaign by beating WARGRAVE Goals from Aqeel Butt, Dylan Parmar and Joel Day helped Finch to run out as 3-0 victors to keep them in second position.

BURGHFIELD are in fifth place after they earned three points

Sumas Win At Windsor To Ease Relegation Fears

against Wraysbury Village. Goals from Harvey Beales and Joshua Howell saw the Fielders take a 2-0 win.

Southern Region Women’s Premier

ASCOT UNITED moved closer to the top of the table after their away win at Bournemouth Sports.

Dom Carrington and Hannah Bennett scored for the Yellas to see them claim all three points with a 2-1 success.

The win means they are in second position, seven points behind league leaders Abingdon United, but with two games in hand.

The Reading goalkeeper has stretched out his hand to stop the ball, which had been played by a Watford player, but only succeeded in parrying it into the goal.

But the television cameras also showed that there was a Watford player in an offside position, standing a little way in front of the Reading goalkeeper, perhaps preventing him from seeing the ball until the last minute accounting probably for his late attempt to save it.

The Laws of the Game have been clear on this for many years.

It is an offside offence if a player becomes involved in active play by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision.

This can be a most difficult decision for match officials because the assistant referee can see that the player is in an offside position, but not from his viewpoint, if he is obstructing an opponent’s line of vision.

By ARTHUR STRAND

Windsor 1 sport@wokinham.today keep the ball for passes although it was lost by Windsor by intercepted passes or challenges which also happened to Sumas.

Sumas 2

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK climbed up a place after earning a vital victory on the road at Windsor.

The Sumas moved further away from the relegation places with just their fourth win in 23 matches.

Play was reasonably well shared into the second quarter of the first half but Wokingham tended to

A corner kick came close but the effort still missed and Windsor countered by making a move forward, but it was dealt with comfortably by goalkeeper Sean Woodward.

After Josh Millo was taken down in the box, Wokingham were awarded a penalty which was converted by Sam Mead.

Wokingham & Emmbrook restarted with a good run and had three attempts at goal in as many seconds, but were unable to add to their advantage.

After a free kick and a few bouts of midfield play, Windsor were pinned back and just past the hour, Joao Jardim broke the mould and scored to put the Sumas 2-0 up.

The sting of the second goal did not demoralise Windsor players at all and it motivated them for the last quarter of the game.

Windsor took a free kick but Woodward was ready and waiting, claiming the ball again. Play continued in the same manner with Windsor pushing for a goal and Sumas defending stoutly and countering whenever they could.

A final burst of energy by Windsor took the game towards full-time when with two minutes left, substitute Tajs scored a consolation goal for the hosts.

In the 89th minute Sebastian Linturn received a yellow card –the only one of the game.

Sumas hung on until the final whistle to claim three points from the efforts that they made and no dishonour to Windsor for not quite clinching a draw.

The referee can see that, but not whether the player concerned is offside, which is probably why the referee at the Reading/ Watford match wanted to be clear before making his decision.

There are some critics of this Law and comments have been made recently saying that goalkeepers often get the view blocked by their own defenders and like all other defenders, goalkeepers need to position themselves so the opponents have less chance of scoring.

If this negative ruling was removed, say its detractors, it would see many more goals being scored.

Reading players and fans are glad that it still exists.

How they rated

Joe Lumley

Made a great save to deny Sarr early in the second half. Could arguably have done better with Araujo’s cross for Sarr’s goal.

Andy Yiadom

Had more joy going forward in the second half. Struggled to contain the threat down Watford’s left however.

Amadou Mbengue

A little shaky. Tasked with picking up the mercurial Sarr and picked up a first-half booking for his troubles. Grew into the game.

Tom Holmes

Solid. Was caught the wrong side of Sarr for the opener, but imposed his physicality on Watford’s front line.

Tom McIntyre

Poor. Caught out for both goals and struggled to handle Martins and Araujo and offered little going forward barring the occasional foray.

Junior Hoilett

Offered an outlet down Reading’s left, but switched off to let Araujo in behind for Watford’s opener. Tired and was replaced by Azeez.

Mamadou Loum

Unable to assert his control over the Hornets’ midfield duo of Bacuna and Choudhury but improved as the game wore on.

Cesare Casadei

Never really settled into the game and was replaced by Fornah early in the second half.

Jeff Hendrick

What a hit to make it 2-2. Didn’t have the impact on the midfield he would have wanted, but more than made up for it with his goal.

Tom Ince

The driving force behind the team once again. Brought the energy and linked up with his teammates well.

Shane Long

Isolated. Used his experience to win a penalty for his side. Missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-2.

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