READING Women suffered a 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Holcombe, although the score failed to reflect the effort put in by Mike Irving’s new-look young side, writes Dave Wright.

The coach commented: “It was a frustrating game.

“We created some really good opportunities, while defensive errors let us down.

“But overall there were a lot of positives to take from this game.”

Irving continued: “The youngsters are all learning and I have no concerns about the group. They have shown that when they are firing they can more than handle the Premier League and compete with some of the best players in the country.”

The Reading goals came from their two most experienced players, with Emma Thomas converting a 22nd-minute penalty stroke and Maz Downer beating former club colleague Grace Lawes seven minutes from time from a penalty corner.

On target for Holcombe were Ellie Watton (5, 33 mins), Leah Wilkinson (18) and Lucy Wood (52, 60).

Sir William Borlase’s schoolgirls Freya Bull and keeper Mila Welch caught the eye for Reading, who are away to University of Birmingham this Saturday (12.30pm).

Between the two games, the Reading and Holcombe teams – men and women – linked up across the pitch to pay tribute to Ravi Ghowry, who had ended his own life two weeks earlier at the age of 30.

Reading warmed up for the matches wearing T-shirts showing their support for the charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably.

The club were well represented at Ravi’s funeral service in Canterbury on Tuesday.

l READING player-coach Andy Watts believed his side did not deserve to lose by a 3-0 margin to Holcombe on Saturday.

“The scoreline was a bit disappointing and even a little flattering to them,” he said, following Blues’ first home Premier Division game of the season.

“In the first half we had a lot of possession and it looked quite promising for us.

“But in the second half we couldn’t hold on to the ball for as long and they took their chances, while we didn’t.

“I think we need to show a bit more patience when we are attacking.”

Tom Carson, having returned last week from playing in Australia, captained a team that included his two brothers, Ed and James, who were both making their home debuts. It was the first time the trio had all played together in a senior match.

But their hopes of marking the occasion with a win faded when the Reading defence missed chances to clear their lines and were punished by No. 13 Sam Ward after 13 minutes.

Watts, wearing the same number shirt, had a great opportunity to equalise shortly afterwards, but he was out of luck, his shot effort going wide.

It then took a brilliant save by Tommy Alexander, diving low to his left, to prevent Ward scoring again from a penalty corner.

Monty Jefferson, having been set up nicely by Watts, squandered a good opportunity just moments before last season’s league winners doubled their lead through Rob Field in the 42nd minute.

“That was a soft goal to give away,” commented Watts.

“There was a mistrap and the ball just bobbled in, and that second goal was a turning point in the game.”

Alexander and the post denied the visitors before Nick Bandurak completed the scoring seconds before the final whistle.

Reading, with one point from two games, travel to Nottingham this Sunday (2pm) to meet a Beeston side who have won both of their opening matches.