It’s never easy predicting how many teams might be relegated from the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division but Reading City now have three games to get as far away from the bottom of the table as possible after a 2-1 defeat to Shrivenham on Monday night.
It could have been a valuable point for Simon Johnson’s men who were 2-0 down when Riccardo Andrady was brought down in the box on 61 minutes, only to see the spot kick missed by Trevor Mutero.
City did pull one back on 85 minutes and then had a second penalty appeal turned down in the final minutes of the game.
Manager Johnson was measured in his post match comments, he said: “Keep receiving comments from opposition teams, confused as to why we are where we are. Big decisions cost you is all I have to say on the matter.”
City are 17th in the Premier Division on 28 points, ahead of Abingdon United on goal difference and bottom of the table Longlevens by three points. It’s entirely possible, with the division running one team short only the bottom side will go down.
At the other end of the table Shrivenham have enjoyed a remarkable 2019. At the start of December Shrivvy were 16th with five wins, three draws and 11 defeats.
The Wiltshire side are now fourth having won 13 league games, drawn one and lost none.
Reading’s remaining fixtures are away to Bishops Cleeve on 6th April, home to Longlevens on 13th April and away again to Longlevens on 19th April.
We’ve posted the full list of midweek fixtures here. %CODEhlprem%
Main image: Simon Johnson by Neil Graham.