With just three points from their opening three fixtures, Holcombe went into Saturday evenings’ clash at Sonning Lane with a sense of urgency to claim an invaluable away win.

Facing last years’ finalists in back-to-back games across the next fortnight, the Kent side faced a revitalised Reading side on Saturday, having made a host of key signings throughout the off-season.

After comfortable wins against Sevenoaks and Canterbury to open their campaign, Reading came into the clash high on confidence.

An unchanged side from the Kent outfit travelled to Reading and settled into the contest well, moving the ball around at pace and creating some early opportunities around the Reading circle. David Ames controlled the midfield and some structured defending from both sides kept chances to a minimum.

Early chances for Rob Field and Dan Webster were negated by Tommy Alexander in the Reading goal before the home side began to find their feet and pressured Holcombe back into their own half. Rich Mantell and Dan Kyriakides in the Reading defence began to dictate the passages of play for the Sonning Lane side but Holcombe’s defence stood firm with George Pinner rarely tested in goal.

As the half wore on, a series of penalty corners for the home side threatened to break the deadlock yet a goal line clearance from Barry Middleton ensured the sides went into the break on level terms after a tense and disciplined opening period.

After taking the chance to regroup at the interval, Holcombe made the most of the opening phase of the second half and were rewarded just 8 minutes in. Mo Mea, a constant thorn in the Reading side throughout the game, powered a low cross in across the face of goal that Dan Webster deflected in from close range.

Seizing the impetus, it was the home side that reacted best to the breakthrough, immediately going on the offensive and winning a series of penalty corners. After yet another goal-line save from Barry Middleton, the home side had their just reward through a well-worked move with Ben Boon sliding in the deflect the ball high into the net from Rich Mantell’s pass just five minutes after going behind.

With the game threatening to open-up, chances came and went at both ends as the two sides struggled to find the potentially decisive goal.

Holcombe began to assert themselves in the final third of the field as the contest went on, moving the ball around with purpose and winning a series of penalty corners. Some fine saves from Tommy Alexander kept Rob Field at bay before Nick Bandurak converted from the top of the circle with just over 10 minutes to play.

Some strong defence from both sides minimised clear-cut opportunities in the final few minutes of the contest but it took a stunning triple save from George Pinner in the Holcombe goal to negate a Reading comeback as the Kent side held on to claim a vital three points.

Next weekend, Holcombe host reigning champions Surbiton at Holcombe Park under lights at 6pm on Saturday night.