BROOKLANDS MU's disappointing start to the Men's Hockey League Premier Division season continued with a 4-1 home defeat to Reading.

It was the first Premier League game on the new surface at Georges Road and the hosts began brightly.

They were awarded a series of penalty corners but could not capitalise having seen them charged down.

The game ebbed and flowed with both teams trying to play expansive hockey.

After a number of forays into the Reading circle with no reward, the men in white were reduced to 10 men following a tackle by forward Aidan Khares that saw him off the pitch for two minutes.

Brooklands failed to hold out during that spell as Reading’s Ben Boon scored a neat reverse-stick shot to give his side the half-time advantage.

Brooklands got back on par with a poacher’s goal through attacking midfielder David Flanagan soon after the restart.

It was even after that until 15 minutes from time when Reading took control, albeit after an uncharacteristic mistake from one of the Brooklands midfield men.

With one, came two and then Brooklands began to chase the game at 3-1 down.

Boon completed his hat-trick near the end to punish Brooklands with a harsh final scoreline.