MATCH REPORT: 2008/2009 Season

3 March 2009: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1 READING 2
goals
Reading: Doyle (56 mins), Long (81 mins).
Sheff Wed: McAllister (45 mins).
Half Time: 1-0
Attendance: 19,268

CHAMPIONSHIP 3 Mar 2009
Pos Team P Pts GD
1 Wolves 36 67 +21
2 READING 34 62 +30
3 Birmingham 35 61 +10
4 Cardiff 33 56 +16
teams
Reading: Federici, Rosenior, Pearce, Duberry, Armstrong, Tabb (Kebe 46), Gunnarsson (Cisse 90), Matejovsky, Stephen Hunt, Doyle, Noel Hunt (Long 78). Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Harper.
Sheff Wed: Grant, Buxton, Beevers, Wood, Spurr, Johnson (Jeffers 81), McAllister, Potter (O'Connor 77), Gray (Small 76), Tudgay, Clarke. Subs Not Used: Hinds, Simek.
bookings
Reading: Rosenior, Noel Hunt.
Sheff Wed: Clarke.
Ref: Andy Hall (W Midlands).
report
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FANS' POST MATCH OPINION

Oh Reading, oh Reading, I along with a good few hundred or so hardy Reading fans went into this game with a dreaded feeling as the rain lashed down at the start of the game but who'd have thought after going one down we'd have been celebrating a glorious win at the end of the game!! This was a thoroughly deserved victory by a resilient hard working Reading side unrecognisable from Saturdays debacle against Forest. When Doyal nodded the equaliser infront of the Royals fans it was just as if a lid had been lifted on a pressure cooker. From there on there was only going to be one winner as Reading played with confidence and assurance we'd seen before Christmas. Solid hard working performances from everybody including, yes Kebe, who did well in the second half replacing the disappointing Tabb. Shane Longs glorious winner sent us all into disbelief raptures that we'd scored two goals yet alone one and apart from an amazing save from Feds from their keeper in the last second of the game ensured a famous moral lifting three points. I'd have taken a point here tonight and point at Plymouth so we're a point up on the week. Twelve games to go , still lots to do but this is a great start. Well played Reading, we may be back.
Nick Newbury

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QUOTES FROM THE PRESS

Kevin Doyle and Shane Long scored Reading's first goals in five games to secure victory at Sheffield Wednesday. Sean McAllister rifled in Leon Clarke's lay-off to put the home side ahead. Doyle headed Reading level after Marek Matejovsky's corner was flicked on by Noel Hunt, before Clarke had a goal disallowed for pushing. Long ran on to a measured pass from Hunt and drilled in a low winner, as Wednesday complained about a Michael Duberry challenge in the build-up.
Reading manager Steve Coppell: "Obviously we're delighted given our recent run of results. We feel great relief in all honesty. It could have gone either way, it was so close and we're very pleased to come away with the points. Credit to Wednesday, they could easily have got something there. It was real desire on their part and commitment on my players' part to keep it out. It was like two heavyweights slugging it out in the 15th round. I think it could easily have been a draw."
BBC Sport