Match Report - Home VS Watford

Division One

4th March 1995

READING 4 WATFORD 1

(Gilkes (2), Holsgrove, Hartenberger)

Att: 9,705

READING TEAM: Hislop, Kerr, Williams, Hopkins, Bernal, Gilkes, Gooding (Parkinson), Holsgrove, Taylor, Nogan, Hartenberger.

This was Readings most impressive home win since the 4-0 win at the start of the season against Stoke. But this time the opposition didn't have two players sent off. This was an easy win. Reading controlled the game and Watfords goal was a consolation scored in the last minute when Reading were taking things just a bit too easy. But at 4-0 up I think the lads could be forgiven for that.

The first half was nothing over impressive until we took the lead on 43 minutes. A spectacular Gilksey goal. I'm getting worried about his contributions to games recently. His performance in this game was well above his usual 20 minutes standard. Gilk sey got the ball somewhere around the half way line and took on practically the entire Watford team. Past one, then two, and everyone was expecting him to lose it. But he kept on going. A quick one-two with Lee Nogan just outside the area to confuse th e defenceless Watford defence and then Gilkes had it again and cut inside the area taking it to the right side of the goal. The Watford keeper started to come out to cut down the angle, but it was too late, Gilksey fired the ball into the bottom left cor ner of the goal, and we went in 1-0 up at half time. The only other memorable chance of the first half falling to Paul Holsgrove who from about 40 yards out sent a scorcher towards the goal which ended up just wide of the post.

Gilksey wasnt content with just performing during the first half and when the second half started he carried on playing. He got the ball in about the centre of the box and volleyed in number two. Holsgrove not content with scoring two goals already this season put in number three from a couple of yards out. He was doing a beautiful goal hanging job - just standing there as though he had some form of sixth sense. Then the ball came across and just landed on his head and bounced off into the net. Watfo rd were just not in the game and it seemed inevitable when the fourth went in. A Scottie Taylor cross from the right hand side after quite a lengthy build up with some rather tasty passing, and Uwe was in the box to tap in from close range.

Watfords goal was quite a laugh. Completely against the run of play, I think we were just being generous. Adie Williams (who managed to play until the end of the game for a change) got the ball midway into our half and somehow managed to just give it aw ay to the advancing Watford striker. Shaka did all he could and legged it out to tackle him with his feet just outside the area, but in doing so left an empty net. So when the ball bounced out to another oncoming opposition player he just put it in the net.

Jimmy Quinn again chose to leave himself on the bench in favour of the in-form Uwe Hartenberger. It is proving to be an impressive management decision with Uwe playing well and it leaves Jimmy to watch the action instead of having the confusion of playin g himself. And he can always chose to bring himself on if needs be! Uwe said after the game "I will repay Jimmy's faith in me by scoring goals for him.". Sounds good to me!

With Sheffield United dropping points Royals moved to 4th (5th the following day after Wolves win against Portsmouth) - back into a play off position. Its turned into a six horse race at the top of Division One, so lets home that the Royals aren't the un lucky team to lose out at the end. I'm looking forward to my Wembley trip this year.

Thanks to Jon for the bits out of the Sun!

Graham