READING Wildcats were edged out 8-7 in a dramatic SEMLA Premier Division game at home to Surrey-based Walcountian Blues.
Following a close victory for Wildcats in the league game back in December, this was always going to be a heated battle and the game did not disappoint.
Reading started strongly, taking a quick 3-0 lead, as Rob Day, Jack McClelland and Matt Birkett all found the net.
Blues fought back with a couple of goals, but goals from Dave Mosley, in only his second game back after injury, and another from Rob Day took the Wildcats into a comfortable half-time lead.
The third quarter saw a reversal of fortunes as Blues took control of the game, coming back with a flurry of goals which left the scoreless Wildcats 6-5 down.
Day, completing his hat-trick, pulled it back to 6-6 and with five minutes remaining it stood at 7-7 with Mosley replying to a Blues strike.
A superb save by the Walcountian keeper led to a quick breakaway goal, and with the game on a knife edge the visitors lost a player to injury and, after racking up a number of penalties during the game, had a player expelled.
Reading needed to get the ball back, but despite doing so a couple of times they were unable to find the elusive equaliser as the clock ticked down.
Wildcats travel to top-of-the-table Hampstead on Saturday, while the 2nds entertain East Grinstead at the John Madejski Academy (2pm).
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